Keyboard

articulation80

The articulation80 keyboard is a split keyboard with 4x9 column splayed keys and 4 thumb keys. The name is inspired from articulated buses, where this keyboard has many connected blocks.

It features:

• Kailh Choc V1 hotswap support with choc spacing
• A detachable inner number row with fixed outer number row
• A detachable numpad
• Serial or I2C connection between halves
• Pro Micro-compatible controller support
• No branding! If you are building this, you may want to add silk-screen to make soldering easier.

I took inspiration from many keyboards:

• The general snappable layout from Breeze
• The pinky stagger from Kyria
• The column splay and thumb cluster from Hillside 52
• Many popular keyboards to determine a suitable wiring diagram for TRRS, such as the Corne

Repository Contents

scripts/info_json_matrix

Generates info.json layout data for QMK by running python generate_layout.py layout.csv. layout.csv maps the visual key position with the pin row and column.

scripts/verify_geometry

Translates points generated by FreeCad into KiCad. export_points.py is a script intended to run inside FreeCad to export all points into a text file, called geometry.txt. update_geometry_markers.py uses geometry.txt to aid the correct placement of components on the PCB and edges by placing dummy components as markers. Using the snap tool in KiCad, one can construct the edge by connecting markers. remove_geometry_markers.py removes these markers. Perhaps there is a more efficient way to make FreeCad and KiCad work together with existing plugins.

After soldering, copy the articulation80 sub-directory into qmk_firmware/keyboards. Flash with:

qmk flash -kb articulation80 -km default -bl dfu-split-left

Replace left with right as necessary. This command assumes the Elite-C has been soldered using I2C. If not, change the bootloader in the command and in the info.json file.

Build Instructions

This build is very similar to existing keyboards. Please refer to the inspired keyboards for full instructions.

Build Parts

*Adjust for number of keys desired.

See the documentation on QMK for how to solder the resistors. To minimise the complexity of the PCB, the left side controller is soldered upside down. There are four pads which connect the controller to the TRRS jack, these are intended to be soldered on the back side of the keyboard. From left to right with the back side facing up, if using serial connection, solder pads 1 and 4, otherwise if using I2C, solder 2, 3 and 4.

More Images

Featuring MBK and MCC POM keycaps.