4 layers15.2 × 9 mm
Sensors
StuckAtPrototype/Racer
These are structured into their own files. I could have used submodules, but decided against it.
14 parts3.8kApache-2.0
4 layers70 × 50 mm
Piper watch
stvenmobile/piper-watchPan-tilt mechanism to drive a webcam using 20KG Servos.
- Size
- 70 × 50 mm
- Copper layers
- 4
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 14
- Nets
- 15
- Pads
- 45
- Tracks, vias
- 49, 0
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 10.0 (file 20260206)
- Created
- 1 Oct 2026
- Updated
- 1 Nov 2026
Overview
Piper watch is an open-source printed circuit board by stvenmobile, from the stvenmobile/piper-watch repository on GitHub. It is a 4-layer board of 70 × 50 mm with 14 parts on 15 nets, routed with 49 tracks and 0 vias.
Its parts include 5 connectors, 2 resistors, 1 capacitor and 1 IC. It belongs with the wearables boards of this library.
README
hardware/kicad/README.mdPiper-Watch wiring schematics (KiCad)
Open piper-watch.kicad_pro in KiCad 10 (or 9). Schematic only - everything is hand-wired, so
there's no PCB. piper-watch.pdf is a plot of all the sheets.
| Sheet | What's on it |
|---|---|
| Power | 19 V panel jack, split block (common ground), panel fuse, head switch, Jetson feed, 5 V buck |
| Level 2 drive | the perfboard (TMC2209, C1/C2, R1/R2, J1 J3 J4 J5 J6), the JC4827W543R display's ESP32-S3 (its P3/P4 connectors), A3144 Hall, NEMA17 |
| Head | XIAO ESP32-S3, two GC9A01 eyes, SH1122 mouth OLED |
- Connections are made with net labels on short wire stubs, so parts can be moved around freely.
Nets that cross sheets (
+19V,+19V_FUSED,+19V_SW,+5V,GND) are global labels; the rest are local to their sheet. - The modules (TMC2209, LM2596, JC4827 display IO, XIAO, GC9A01, SH1122, A3144, barrier strip) are
in the project library
piper-watch.kicad_sym; everything else is from KiCad's standard libraries. tools/gen_schematics.pygenerated the first draft from../wiring.md. Once the schematics have been edited in KiCad, the KiCad files are the source of truth - don't re-run the generator over hand edits.
Checks: kicad-cli sch erc piper-watch.kicad_sch (0 violations on the draft), and
kicad-cli sch export pdf piper-watch.kicad_sch to refresh the PDF.
Perfboard (Level 2)
perfboard_wiring.png is the 70 x 50 perfboard as built: top view, back of the case at the top,
parts on the 2.54 mm hole grid, every pad labelled. Wires are soldered on the underside but drawn
as seen from the top: copper = bare solid wire (thick = 19 V, GND, motor), red = insulated wire
where a run has to cross another.
It's drawn from piper-watch.kicad_pcb, which KiCad checks against the schematic (DRC: no
unconnected items, no schematic mismatches). Rebuild:
"C:\Program Files\KiCad\10.0\bin\python.exe" tools/gen_perfboard.py # placement + wire routing
py -3 tools/plot_perfboard.py # the picture (needs matplotlib)Placement is the PLACE table in gen_perfboard.py; the wires are laid by a small grid router.
Parts
14| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | MountingHole_2.7mm_M2.5 | MountingHole_2.7mm_M2.5 | H1, H2, H3, H4 |
| 1 | 100uF 35V (at U1 VS) | Capacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D8.0mm_P5.00mm | C1 |
| 1 | 10k (EN pull-up) | Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_Horizontal | R2 |
| 1 | 10k (Hall pull-up) | Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_Horizontal | R1 |
| 1 | 19V in: + - left to right | TerminalBlock_Phoenix:TerminalBlock_Phoenix_MKDS-1,5-2-5.08_1x02_P5.08mm_Horizontal | J1 |
| 1 | BTT TMC2209 | Module:Pololu_Breakout-16_15.2x20.3mm | U1 |
| 1 | board ground point | TestPoint_THTPad_D2.0mm_Drill1.0mm | GP1 |
| 1 | motor: A2 A1 B1 B2 (left to right on the board) | TerminalBlock_Phoenix:TerminalBlock_Phoenix_MKDS-1,5-4-5.08_1x04_P5.08mm_Horizontal | J3 |
| 1 | to Hall: 5V GND OUT | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical | J5 |
| 1 | to buck: 19V, GND, 5V | TerminalBlock_Phoenix:TerminalBlock_Phoenix_MKDS-1,5-3-5.08_1x03_P5.08mm_Horizontal | J6 |
| 1 | to display P3/P4: STEP DIR EN HALL 3V3 GND | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x06_P2.54mm_Vertical | J4 |
Questions
How big is the Piper watch PCB?
It measures 70 × 50 mm and has 4 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Piper watch use?
14 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 Piper watch KiCad files?
From the stvenmobile/piper-watch repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is hardware/kicad/piper-watch.kicad_pcb and its schematic hardware/kicad/head.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Piper watch design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask stvenmobile before reusing the design.
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