2 layers144.6 × 92.5 mm
2 layers144.6 × 92.5 mm
Max
MaxKiv/kibo1My custom Piantor + Corne inspired keyboard
- Size
- 144.6 × 92.5 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 40
- Nets
- 33
- Pads
- 275
- Tracks, vias
- 196, 27
- Pours
- 1
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 6 (file 20211014)
- Created
- 23 Aug 2023
- Updated
- 25 Mar 2025
Overview
Max is an open-source printed circuit board by MaxKiv, from the MaxKiv/kibo repository on GitHub, published under the GPL-3.0 licence. It is a 2-layer board of 144.6 × 92.5 mm with 40 parts on 33 nets, routed with 196 tracks and 27 vias.
Its parts include 21 switches, 2 resistors, 2 connectors and 1 IC. It belongs with the keyboards and input boards and the RP2040 boards of this library.
README
README.mdThe KiBo splitboard
An awesome custom split keyboard, at least I think so 😉. Made by Max Kivits and Timon Borg, the KiBo!
This keyboard is loosely based on the Piantor and Cantor keyboards. It's a 42-key diodeless non-flippable cherry-mx hotswapable mechanical split keyboard with aggressive column staggering. It's powered by 2 RP2040, completely overkill! I redesigned the PCB to use cherry-mx style hotswap switches and adjusted the margins so it fits my hands better. The pcb features an artsy silklayer, because why not?
The casing is designed by Timon Borg, a god amongst fusion360 users!
KiBo uses the amazing qmk firmware to become a keyboard.
Features
- RP2040 MCU - A low-cost, easy-to-source, powerful microcontroller with dual Arm Cortex-M0+ @ 133MHz, 264kB on-chip SRAM and 2MB (up to 16MB, depending on the breakout board) off-chip external flash memory. You can enable a lot of features and layers. Never worry about the firmware size limit.
- Cantor layout - Ergonomic strong column staggering for short pinkies.
- Non-flippable PCBs - Fewer ways to make mistakes when you install the controller breakout boards. Great for first time keyboard builders.
- Diodeless - A more robust build with fewer things to solder or break.
- Hybrid hotswap and soldered-in low profile choc switches - Experiment with different key switches with the hotswap sockets, or solder the key switches for a more stable build.
- Breakable pinky column - Easily convert the PCB from a 42-key to 36-key layout. You can snap off the pinky column without specialized tools.
Bill of Materials (BOM)
| Quantity | Item | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | KiBo PCB (Left) | |
| 1 | KiBo PCB (Right) | |
| 2 | RP2040 breakout boards (such as Raspberry Pi Pico or WeAct RP2040) | |
| 42 (or 36) | cherry-mx style switches of your favorite flavor | |
| 42 (or 36) | cherry-mx style keycaps of your favorite variety | |
| 2 | TRRS jack (PJ-320A) | |
| 1 | 3.5mm TRRS cable | TRS cable cannot be used |
| 42 (or 36) | cherry-mx style hotswap sockets | Optional, you can solder the switches directly if you do not use hotswap sockets |
| 4 | Pin headers (20p) or sockets | Only required for boards without castellated holes |
| 2 | 10kΩ 1206 (3216M) SMD resistor | Only required if you do not want to use SPLIT_USB DETECT, and for boards without a built in VBUS_SENSE circuit |
| 2 | 5.6kΩ 1206 (3216M) SMD resistor | Only required if you do not want to use SPLIT_USB DETECT, and for boards without a built in VBUS_SENSE circuit |
| 1 | KiBo Case (Left) | 3D print your own |
| 1 | KiBo Case (Right) | 3D print your own |
- Note: Raspberry Pi Pico comes with castellated holes and a built in VBUS_SENSE circuit
Parts
40| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | KEYSW | max:CherryMX_Hotswap | K00, K02, K2, K03, K04, K05, K10, K11, K12, K13, K14, K15, K20, K21, K22, K23 +5 |
| 6 | MountingHole | beekeeb_lib:MountingHole_2.2mm_M2-8mm | H1, H2, H3, H4, H4, H4 |
| 4 | MountingHole | beekeeb_lib:mousebites_3 | MB3, MB4, MB4, MB4 |
| 2 | Val** | max:kibo | Ref**, Ref** |
| 1 | 10k | Resistor_SMD:R_1206_3216Metric_Pad1.30x1.75mm_HandSolder | R2 |
| 1 | 5k6 | Resistor_SMD:R_1206_3216Metric_Pad1.30x1.75mm_HandSolder | R1 |
| 1 | OLED | max:OLED_v2 | J2 |
| 1 | Pico | RPi_Pico:RPi_Pico_SMD_TH | U2 |
| 1 | TRRS | Keebio-Parts:TRRS-PJ-320A | J1 |
| 1 | Val** | max:wave_front | Ref** |
| 1 | Val** | max:maya_small | Ref** |
Questions
How big is the Max PCB?
It measures 144.6 × 92.5 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Max use?
40 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 Max KiCad files?
From the MaxKiv/kibo repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is pcb/left/max.kicad_pcb and its schematic pcb/left/keyboard_pcb.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Max design in my own project?
Its repository publishes it under the GPL-3.0 licence: you may reuse it on that licence's terms (keep the author's notice, and for a copyleft licence share your changes alike).
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