2 layers24.4 × 24.4 mm
OSO SWAT B1
joeycastillo/Sensor-Watch
A board replacement for the classic Casio F-91W wristwatch
39 parts2.1k
2 layers121.4 × 97.6 mm
HexBoard
hephaestushex/HexBoard5A split keyboard designed by HephaestusHex.
- Size
- 121.4 × 97.6 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 39
- Nets
- 36
- Pads
- 127
- Tracks, vias
- 160, 0
- Pours
- 1
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 9.0 (file 20241229)
- Created
- 5 Jun 2025
- Updated
- 25 Aug 2025
Overview
HexBoard is an open-source printed circuit board by hephaestushex, from the hephaestushex/HexBoard repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 121.4 × 97.6 mm with 39 parts on 36 nets, routed with 160 tracks and 0 vias.
Its parts include 19 switches, 18 diodes, 1 IC and 1 connector. It belongs with the keyboards and input boards and the nRF52 and nRF5x boards of this library.
README
README.mdHexBoard
A wireless split keyboard designed by HephaestusHex. It uses the SEEED Studio XIAO nRF52840 for wireless bluetooth connectivity
I made this split keyboard because it was a great project for learning PCB design, ergonomics, case design, keyboard firmware, and more. I wanted to make a split keyboard specifically because during my research, I found it's better than a regular keyboard because of ergonomics that I won't get into. Ben Vallack has videos that gets into the details.
YouTube Demo
Access the youtube demo here
CAD
PCB
Case
Firmware
This kb uses ZMK for firmware. Due to ZMK's requirement of using another repo, all of the zmk code is in this repo
BOM
| Name | Reference | Quantity | Value | Footprint | Part Link | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1N4148 Diodes | D1-18 | 36 | 1N4148 | D_DO-35_SOD27_P7.62mm_Horizontal | AliExpress | Used for switch matrix | $1.01 |
| Gateron KS-33 Low Profile Switches | SW1-18 | 36 | Gateron-KS33-Solderable-1U | AliExpress | Low-profile switches | $25.22 | |
| Seeed XIAO nRF52840 | U1 | 2 | XIAO-nRF52840-DIP-Batt | AliExpress | Bluetooth MCU for wireless split connectivity | $31.09 | |
| 601730 3.7V LiPo Battery | J1 | 2 | 250mAh | PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical | AliExpress | Battery for MCU | $5.47 |
| PCB | hexboard-left, hexboard-right | 2 | JLC PCB | PCB for the left and right halves of the keyboard | $24.33 | ||
| M3x5x4 Heatset Inserts | 8 | AliExpress | Heatset inserts for mounting components | $6.23 | |||
| M3x6 Screws | H1-4 | 8 | MountingHole_3.2mm_M3 | AliExpress | Screws for securing the PCB to the case | $2.89 | |
| Slide SPDT Switches | SW19 | 2 | SW_Slide_SPDT_Straight_CK_OS102011MS2Q | AliExpress | Slide switch for power control | $1.46 | |
| Case | Free since I already have filament | $2.78 | |||||
| Keycaps | Free since I already have filament | $0.66 | |||||
| AliExpress Total | $75.80 | ||||||
| JLCPCB Total | $30.80 | ||||||
| Grand Total | $113.04 |
Parts
39| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 1N4148 | Diode_THT:D_DO-35_SOD27_P7.62mm_Horizontal | D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D10, D11, D12, D13, D14, D15, D16, D17, D18 +2 |
| 18 | SW_Push_45deg | KS33 Solderable:Gateron-KS33-Solderable-1U | SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW13, SW14, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18 +2 |
| 1 | Conn_01x02_Pin | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical | J1 |
| 1 | SW_SPDT | Button_Switch_THT:SW_Slide_SPDT_Straight_CK_OS102011MS2Q | SW19 |
| 1 | XIAO-nRF52840-SMD | xiao:XIAO-nRF52840-DIP-Batt | U2 |
Questions
How big is the HexBoard PCB?
It measures 121.4 × 97.6 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the HexBoard use?
39 parts. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the HexBoard KiCad files?
From the hephaestushex/HexBoard repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is pcb_left/hexboard.kicad_pcb and its schematic pcb_left/OPL_Kicad_Library-master/Grove Vision AI V2 Library/Grove - Vision AI Module V2.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the HexBoard design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask hephaestushex before reusing the design.
Similar boards
- 2 layers100 × 33.5 mm
Breakout 48pin 174917-Connector
rusefi/rusefi
rusefi - GPL internal combustion engine control unit
39 parts1.2k - 2 layers33 × 26 mm
VL53L1x pwm
hackclub/OnBoard
💡 Join 1,000 teenagers and make your first PCB with a $100 grant!
39 parts915 - 2 layers43.4 × 18.8 mm
Usb sniffer lite
ataradov/usb-sniffer-lite
A simple USB sniffer based on Raspberry Pi RP2040
39 parts706BSD-3-Clause - 2 layers40 × 20 mm
ESP8266
windowsair/wireless-esp8266-dap
CMSIS-DAP compatible wireless debugger for ESP8266/ESP32/ESP32C3/ESP32S3. Optional 40MHz SPI acceleration, etc. 适配多种ESP芯片的无线调试器
39 parts690MIT - 2 layers100 × 70.3 mm
- 2 layers81.3 × 53.3 mm
RGB LED 1.4
lachlanA/eagle-to-kicad
Eagle SCH/LIB to KiCad SCH/LIB ULP conversion script
39 parts429GPL-2.0 - 2 layers65.7 × 44.8 mm
