4 layers234 × 84 mm
Main panel
google/mozc-devices
Circuit diagrams and firmware source code for Gboard DIY keyboards
234 parts3kApache-2.0
2 layers122.5 × 26.3 mm
SwitchTester
ssaunter/SwitchTesterA 5-key switch PCB and housing to test the feel of different Cherry MX switches. Addressable LEDs have two modes: always on (colored), and fade when pressed.
- Size
- 122.5 × 26.3 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 20
- Nets
- 21
- Pads
- 78
- Tracks, vias
- 118, 1
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 9.0 (file 20241229)
- Created
- 1 Apr 2026
- Updated
- 27 Apr 2026
Overview
SwitchTester is an open-source printed circuit board by ssaunter, from the ssaunter/SwitchTester repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 122.5 × 26.3 mm with 20 parts on 21 nets, routed with 118 tracks and 1 via.
It is built around the SK6812MINI-E. Its parts include 6 switches, 5 capacitors, 5 diodes, 1 resistor and 1 IC.
Main components
1README
README.mdSwitchTester
SwitchTester is a 5-key switch PCB and housing to test the feel of different Cherry MX switches. Addressable LEDs have two modes: always on (colored), and fade when pressed.
The PCB
The PCB follows a similar architecture to the Hackpad, and upgrades with decoupling capacitors and a switch to control LED modes. The code is set up to adjust the LED modes depending on the slide switch mode.
Assembly
The lower and upper case sections are to be 3D printed. The device is assembled using 2x M3x5x5 heatset inserts and 2x M3x10 bolts. The PCB is aligned in the lower case, and the top case encloses it before being bolted down through the standoffs. It should be stable enough, but the USB-C recepticle also nicely rests into the opposite side for added stability. If I find that it is unstable even then, I can add standoffs without holes thoughout the lower case.
Firmware
The code was created in the Arduino IDE, and uses the FastLED library for the SMD LEDs. The colors are based on guesses, and I will change the code after testing the values.
The first section of the code is simply setup and definitions. It sets the switches as inputs and assigns the pullup resistors, and also initializes the LED index.
The main loop determines the current LED_MODE, checks for keyswitch presses, and outputs to the LED based on the mode and user interaction. FastLED.show() is used to queue the LED instructions and send data through the LED_DATA line.
BOM
| Part | Quantity | Price Per | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seeduino Xiao | 1 | $4.68 | DigiKey |
| Slide Switch | 1 | $0.65 | DigiKey |
| 0.1uF C 0603 | 5 | $0.08 | DigiKey |
| 330ohm R 0603 | 1 | $0.10 | DigiKey |
| Neopixel LED 10pcs | 1 | $2.95 | DigiKey |
| Cherry MX Blue 60g | 1 | $0.38 | MechanicalKeyboards |
| Cherry MX2A Red | 1 | $0.38 | MechanicalKeyboards |
| Cherry MX2A Black | 1 | $0.38 | MechanicalKeyboards |
| Cherry MX2A Brown | 1 | $0.38 | MechanicalKeyboards |
| Cherry MX Blue 60g | 1 | $0.38 | MechanicalKeyboards |
| DSA Keycaps | 5 | (have) | |
| 1x7 Male Headers | 2 | (have) | |
| M3x5x5 Heatset Inserts | 2 | (have) | |
| M3x10 Bolt | 2 | (have) |
Totals
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| JLCPCB Order | $8.52 |
| DigiKey Order | $16.92 |
| MechanicalKeyboards Order | $12.54 |
| GRAND TOTAL: | $37.98 |
Orders:
Parts
20| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 0.1 μF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608Metric | C1, C2, C3, C4, C5 |
| 5 | SK6812MINI-E | MacroFootprints:SK6812MINI-E_fixed | D1, D2, D3, D4, D5 |
| 5 | SW_Push_45deg | Button_Switch_Keyboard:SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB | SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5 |
| 1 | 330 | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric | R1 |
| 1 | MOUDLE-SEEEDUINO-XIAO | MacroFootprints:XIAO-Generic-Hybrid-14P-2.54-21X17.8MM | U1 |
| 1 | SW_Wuerth_450301014042 | Button_Switch_THT:SW_Slide_SPDT_Angled_CK_OS102011MA1Q | SW6 |
The 18 most common of 20 parts.
Questions
How big is the SwitchTester PCB?
It measures 122.5 × 26.3 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the SwitchTester use?
20 parts, built around the SK6812MINI-E. 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 SwitchTester KiCad files?
From the ssaunter/SwitchTester repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is pcb/SwitchTester.kicad_pcb and its schematic pcb/SwitchTester.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the SwitchTester design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask ssaunter before reusing the design.
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