4 layers208.3 × 75.8 mm
4 layers230.7 × 97.8 mm
Tako
ssbb/tako20034 key EC split keyboard
- Size
- 230.7 × 97.8 mm
- Copper layers
- 4
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 146
- Nets
- 114
- Pads
- 566
- Tracks, vias
- 615, 201
- Pours
- 334
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 7 (file 20221018)
- Created
- 12 May 2023
- Updated
- 19 Jun 2026
Overview
Tako is an open-source printed circuit board by ssbb, from the ssbb/tako repository on GitHub, published under the MIT licence. It is a 4-layer board of 230.7 × 97.8 mm with 146 parts on 114 nets, routed with 615 tracks and 201 vias.
It is built around the OPA350UA, 74HC4051 and PRTR5V0U2X, with the TYPEC-304YSSW-ACP16 among its other parts. Its parts include 34 resistors, 34 switches, 24 capacitors, 8 ICs and 4 connectors. It belongs with the keyboards and input boards and the STM32 boards of this library.
Main components
4
OPA350UA
SOIC-8-55℃~+150℃ 1 10pA 10pA 2.7V~5.5V 22V/us 38MHz 40mA 4uV/℃ 5.2mA 500uV 7nV/√Hz@10kHz 90dB Built-in compensation Rail-to-Rail Input, Rail-to-Rail Output SOIC-8 Operational Amplifier ROHSTexas InstrumentsPrecision Op Amps
74HC4051
SOP-16-40℃~+85℃ 1 170MHz 28ns 29ns 3V~9V 5ns 5pF 80Ω 8:1 SOP-16 Analog Switches, Multiplexers ROHSWuxi I-core ElecAnalog Switches, Multiplexers
PRTR5V0U2X
SOT-143-55℃~+125℃ 0.3pF、0.8pF 100W 10V、15V 5V 6.5V 6A 80nA ESD IEC 61000-4-2、IEC 61000-4-5、IEC 61000-4-4 Three channels Unidirectional SOT-143 ESD and Surge Protection (TVS/ESD) ROHSTECH PUBLICESD And Surge Protection (TVS/ESD)
TYPEC-304YSSW-ACP16
SMD-25℃~+85℃ 1 10000 times 16P 5A 5V 7.35mm Black Female Surface Mount, Right Angle Type-C SMD USB Connectors ROHSXUNPUUSB Connectors
README
README.mdTako
Tako is a vertical stagger split keyboard with electrostatic capacitive (EC) non-contact switches.
Bill Of Materials (BOM)
Production Files
Depending on which parts you are going to use, make sure to select the proper top plate (OG or NIZ). Ensure you use the correct thickness - the OG (OEM, Deskeys, etc) plate should be 1.2mm, and the NIZ should be 1.6mm!
MCU
RP2040-based boards should be used for wired build - Liatris, Frood, Sea-Picro, Splinky, etc.
ATmega32U4 (Pro Micro) won't work.
Wireless
For a wireless build, you can use nice!nano. Keep in mind that EC matrix consume significantly more power than mechanical keyboards. An 80mAh battery placed under the MCU will last for about a day only. I don't have exact numbers yet (still waiting for a power profiler), but you will likely need to use a larger battery. Consider using longer standoffs with a 3D-printed or acrylic spacer between the PCB and the bottom plate, and place the battery there.
Display
5 pins for nice!view are exposed. 128x32 OLED can be used on first 4 pins but won't be perfectly centered.
Components
| Component | Package | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPA350 | SOIC-8 / SOP-8 | 2 | LCSC |
| 74HC4051 | SOIC-8 / SOP-8 | 2 | LCSC |
| 100nF Capacitor | 0805 | 4 | LCSC |
| 220pF Capacitor | 0805 | 2 | LCSC |
| 100Ω Resistor | 0805 | 8 | LCSC |
| 1kΩ Resistor | 0805 | 2 | LCSC |
| 100kΩ Resistor | 0805 | 12 | LCSC |
| Reset Switch | 2 | LCSC | |
| PJ-320A | 2 | Wired only. LCSC | |
| 5.1kΩ Resitor | 0805 | 2 | Wired only. LCSC |
| Power Switch | 2 | Wireless only. LCSC |
Mounting
OG Plate
| Part | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| M2x6 Standoff | 16 | Max OD 3.4mm. Aliexpress |
| M2x4 Screws | 32 | Aliexpress |
| M1.6x6 Standoff | 12 | Aliexpress |
| M1.6x4 screws | 24 | Aliexpress |
NIZ Plate
| Part | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| M2x6 Standoff | 28 | Max OD 3.4mm. Aliexpress |
| M2x4 Screws | 56 | Aliexpress |
EC Parts
| Part | Amount |
|---|---|
| Housings | 34 |
| Domes | 34 |
| Conical springs | 34 |
| Sliders | 34 |
| Silencing rings | 34 |
- If you going to use DES V3/Carrot domes then it's recommended to get DES Volcano springs to avoid sping crunch.
- Silencing rings are recommended for DES parts. If you want the same key travel as HHKB Type-S with DES housings and DES sliders then you should get #7 rings.
Some EC vendors:
You can only use MX-compatible sliders due to the housing orientation. See details.
NIZ sliders are MX-compatible by default.
Build Guide
Case
There's an awesome case for Tako designed by GofranChang. Check it out over at GofranChang/TakoNest - huge thanks for putting this together! 🙌
Firmware
Thanks
Special thanks to Cipulot for all the work on EC keyboards and assistance.
- jimmerricks for Swoop
- duckyb for Urchin I was inspired by
- Awesome Pete Johanson for assistance
- kanru for his work on Zephyr driver for HHKB which I used for reference
Support
Check #ssbb channel on Absolem Club discord. Join
Parts
146| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | EC_SW | local:ecs_pad_1U_no_ring | SW1, SW10, SW11, SW101, SW102, SW103, SW104, SW105, SW106, SW107, SW108, SW109, SW110, SW111, SW112, SW113 +14 |
| 28 | MountingHole | local:MountingHole_3.4mm | H1, H10, H11, H101, H102, H103, H104, H105, H106, H107, H108, H109, H110, H111, H112, H113 +12 |
| 14 | 100k | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R3, R11, R13, R14, R15, R16, R17, R103, R111, R113, R114, R115, R116, R117 |
| 14 | 100n | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C10, C12, C103, C104, C105, C106, C107, C110, C112 |
| 8 | 100 | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R4, R5, R6, R7, R104, R105, R106, R107 |
| 6 | 10k | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R8, R9, R10, R108, R109, R110 |
| 6 | 1u | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C1, C2, C8, C101, C102, C108 |
| 4 | 5.1k | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R1, R2, R101, R102 |
| 4 | EC_SW | local:ecs_pad_1U_no_ring_90deg | SW16, SW17, SW116, SW117 |
| 2 | 1k | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R12, R112 |
| 2 | 220p | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C11, C111 |
| 2 | 4.7u | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C9, C109 |
| 2 | 500mA | Fuse:Fuse_1206_3216Metric | F1, F101 |
| 2 | 74HC4051 | local:TSSOP16 | U4, U104 |
| 2 | 8 MHz | Crystal:Resonator_SMD_Murata_CSTxExxV-3Pin_3.0x1.1mm | Y1, Y101 |
| 2 | BOOT0 | Button_Switch_SMD:SW_SPST_B3U-1000P | JP1, JP101 |
| 2 | Ext_Res | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | JP2, JP102 |
| 2 | MJ-4PP-9 | local:TRRS-PJ-320A-no-Fmask | J1, J101 |
| 2 | OLED | local:OLED_I2C_128x32 | J2, J102 |
| 2 | OPA350 | Package_SO:SOIC-8_3.9x4.9mm_P1.27mm | U3, U103 |
| 2 | PRTR5V0U2X | Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-143 | D1, D101 |
| 2 | STM32F401CBUx | Package_DFN_QFN:QFN-48-1EP_7x7mm_P0.5mm_EP5.6x5.6mm | U1, U101 |
| 2 | TYPEC-304YSSW-ACP16 | local:HRO-TYPE-C-31-M-12-Assembly | USB1, USB101 |
| 2 | VAL** | local:mouse-bite-5mm-slot-with-space-for-track | mouse-bite-2mm-slot, mouse-bite-2mm-slot |
| 2 | XC6206PxxxMR | Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-23-3 | U2, U102 |
Questions
How big is the Tako PCB?
It measures 230.7 × 97.8 mm and has 4 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Tako use?
146 parts, built around the OPA350UA, 74HC4051, PRTR5V0U2X and TYPEC-304YSSW-ACP16. 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 Tako KiCad files?
From the ssbb/tako repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is rev0/pcb/tako.kicad_pcb and its schematic rev0/pcb/tako.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Tako 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).
Similar boards
- 4 layers260.3 × 75.4 mm
- 4 layers285 × 94.6 mm
EC60-Rev 1 1 1
vadikgo/EC60_origin
Open source universal 60% Electrostatic Capacitive PCB.
157 partsMIT - 4 layers285 × 94.6 mm
- 4 layers285 × 94.6 mm
- 2 layers406.4 × 158.6 mm
- 4 layers284.7 × 100 mm
EC Pro2 Mainboard
4pplet/EC-Pro-2
Open source replacement PCB kit for the HHKB Pro 2 keyboard.
138 parts3MIT - 2 layers353 × 151 mm
RF R1 8-9Xu
4pplet/RF_R1_8-9Xu
Open source universal PCB for the Realforce R1 family of keyboards.
215 parts2MIT