Hackpad new start

My RP2040 Hackpad

Welcome to the official documentation of my custom-built, open-source macro pad. This project was conceptualized, designed, and assembled from scratch as part of the Hack Club Stardance challenge. It combines a compact hardware footprint with highly customizable firmware to streamline daily developer workflows, shortcuts, and gaming macros.

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📋 Table of Contents

• Project Overview
• Key Features & Hardware Architecture
• Repository Structure & File Organization
• Deep Dive: Design & Engineering Process
  • 1. Schematic Capture & PCB Routing (KiCad)
  • 2. 3D Enclosure Engineering (Autodesk Fusion 360)
• Step-by-Step Assembly & Getting Started Guide
• License & Acknowledgments

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🔍 Project Overview

The primary goal of this project was to design a functional, aesthetically pleasing, and ergonomic macro pad that integrates physical tactile inputs with real-time visual feedback. Built around the powerful and versatile Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040, the board features a matrix of mechanical switches, an incremental rotary encoder for dynamic volume control or scrolling, and an I2C-enabled OLED display to render custom text, states, or animations on the fly.

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✨ Key Features & Hardware Architecture

• Core Processing Unit: Powered by the dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ RP2040 microcontroller running at up to 133 MHz, providing ample processing power and flexible Programmable I/O (PIO) capabilities.
• Input Matrix: Features 4 mechanical switch sockets wired in a custom matrix topology protected by 1N4148 switching diodes to eliminate ghosting and phantom presses during simultaneous inputs.
• Rotary Control: Integrates an EC11 incremental rotary encoder with an integrated push-button switch, ideal for multi-function controls (e.g., zooming, scrubbing timelines, or adjusting system audio levels).
• Visual Feedback Display: Equipped with a 0.91-inch SSD1306 monochrome OLED screen communicating via I2C protocol, offering crisp textual or graphical indicators.
• Custom Enclosure: A robust 3D-printed chassis engineered with a designated transparent viewing window (utilizing clear PETG or PLA filament) to showcase the internal soldered components and PCB traces.

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📂 Repository Structure & File Organization

To maintain a clean and professional workflow compliant with hardware open-source standards, the repository is structured into distinct, dedicated directories:

├── CAD/ # Contains 3D computer-aided design files, step models, and fusion assemblies ├── Firmware/ # Contains source code, configuration scripts, and compiled binaries for the RP2040 ├── PCB/ # Contains KiCad schematic (.sch/.kicad_sch), layout (.kicad_pcb), and project files └── production/ # Contains manufacturing outputs, Gerber files, drill files, and BOM exports for fabrication

Project Screenshots

3D PCB View

Schematic

PCB Design

3D Case

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Bill of Materials (BOM)