2 layers
2 layers98 × 27 mm
BuildGun
ravinrabbid/BuildGun1Drop-in replacement for the electronics of the Satisfactory Build Gun replica.
- Size
- 98 × 27 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 36
- Nets
- 21
- Pads
- 104
- Tracks, vias
- 213, 6
- Pours
- 1
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 9.0 (file 20241229)
- Created
- 5 Jan 2026
- Updated
- 20 Apr 2026
Overview
BuildGun is an open-source printed circuit board by ravinrabbid, from the ravinrabbid/BuildGun repository on GitHub, published under the MIT licence. It is a 2-layer board of 98 × 27 mm with 36 parts on 21 nets, routed with 213 tracks and 6 vias.
It is built around the COM-09032 and WS2812B. Its parts include 10 diodes, 3 resistors, 3 connectors, 2 capacitors and 2 ICs. It belongs with the RP2040 boards of this library.
Main components
2README
README.mdSatisfactory Build Gun Electronics
Drop-in replacement for the electronics of the Satisfactory Build Gun replica. Also works for the 3D printed DIY variant. Built around the XIAO RP240.
Features
- Directional LED effect controlled with the thumb stick
- LED Color can be selected with the thumb stick button
- LED Brightness can be varied with the potentiometer on the end of the handle
- Still runs of two AAA batteries
- Supports both PL9832 5mm LEDs and WS2812 style SMD leds.
Assembly Hints
- Never connect USB-C and Batteries at the same time!
- If using 5mm LEDs you might need to either deepen the holes in the lens or grind down the LEDs a bit to make them fit.
- The thumb stick board assembly is a bit sub-optimal:
- First, solder the SMD components
- Solder the pin headers: Put the board on a flat hard surface, insert the pin headers and push the plastic spacer down to the board. Solder the pin headers a flush a possible from the back side and cover the solder joints with some isolating tape. Remove the plastic spacers from the pin headers.
- Solder the thumb stick: Insert the thumb stick into the board and cut the pins flush, then solder as flush as possible. Again, cover the solder joints with tape.
- Put the XIAO board on the pin headers, leave a ~1mm gap between the XIAO and the thumb stick board. Solder the pins and cut the pins short.
- I'd also recommend to leave out the battery connector and solder the wires directly since it interferes with the USB plug.
- If you don't need the potentiometer, bridge POT - and POT C.
Bill of Materials
| Reference | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| U1 | XIAO RP2040 | |
| U2 | MCP1640T-I/CHY Boost Regulator | |
| U3 | PS4 thumb stick | other sticks will probably work too |
| D1-D5 | WS2812B SMD LEDs | alternatively fit D6-D10 |
| D6-D10 | PL9832 5mm LEDs | alternatively fit D1-D5 |
| L1 | NRS4018T4R7MDGJ 4.7µH inductor | |
| R1 | 825kΩ 0801 resistor | |
| R2 | 309kΩ 0801 resistor | |
| R3 | 470Ω 0801 resistor | |
| C1, C2 | 10uF 0805 capacitor |
Parts
36| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | APA-106-F5 | Library:LED_D5.0mm-4_RGB_stackable | D6, D7, D8, D9, D10 |
| 5 | WS2812B | Library:LED_WS2812B_PLCC4_5.0x5.0mm_P3.2mm_stackable | D1, D2, D3, D4, D5 |
| 3 | GND | Connector_Wire:SolderWirePad_1x01_SMD_1x2mm | TP3, TP4, TP9 |
| 2 | 10µF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric | C1, C2 |
| 2 | LED Data | Connector_Wire:SolderWirePad_1x01_SMD_1x2mm | TP5, TP6 |
| 2 | VAL** | Library:mouse-bite-2mm-slot | mouse-bite-2mm-slot, mouse-bite-2mm-slot |
| 2 | VCC | Connector_Wire:SolderWirePad_1x01_SMD_1x2mm | TP1, TP2 |
| 1 | 309k | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric | R2 |
| 1 | 4.7µH | Inductor_SMD:L_Taiyo-Yuden_NR-40xx | L1 |
| 1 | 470 | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric | R3 |
| 1 | 825k | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric | R1 |
| 1 | Battery | Connector_JST:JST_PH_S2B-PH-K_1x02_P2.00mm_Horizontal | J3 |
| 1 | COM-09032 | Library:PS4_joystick | U3 |
| 1 | Conn_01x04 | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x04_P2.54mm_Vertical | J4 |
| 1 | Conn_01x07 | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x07_P2.54mm_Vertical | J1 |
| 1 | MCP1640x-xCHY | Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-23-6 | U2 |
| 1 | POT | Connector_Wire:SolderWirePad_1x01_SMD_1x2mm | TP8 |
| 1 | POT Enable | Connector_Wire:SolderWirePad_1x01_SMD_1x2mm | TP7 |
The 32 most common of 36 parts.
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[ a custom split keyboard for portably and comfortably interfacing with computing systems ]
49 parts11MIT
Questions
How big is the BuildGun PCB?
It measures 98 × 27 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the BuildGun use?
36 parts, built around the COM-09032 and WS2812B. 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 BuildGun KiCad files?
From the ravinrabbid/BuildGun repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is pcb/BuildGun.kicad_pcb and its schematic pcb/BuildGun.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the BuildGun design in my own project?
Its repository publishes it under the MIT licence: you may reuse it on that licence's terms (keep the author's notice, and for a copyleft licence share your changes alike).