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2 layers154.9 × 74.3 mmSplitflap follower 8ch v1, the printed circuit board in 3D

Splitflap follower 8ch v1

ZenoCoding/splitflap-display

Arduino firmware and KiCad hardware for a split-flap display module

Size
154.9 × 74.3 mm
Copper layers
2
Thickness
1.6 mm
Parts
64
Nets
86
Pads
361
Tracks, vias
543, 34
Pours
6
Routed
Yes
KiCad
KiCad 10.0 (file 20260206)
Created
23 Jun 2026
Updated
3 Aug 2026

Overview

Splitflap follower 8ch v1 is an open-source printed circuit board by ZenoCoding, from the ZenoCoding/splitflap-display repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 154.9 × 74.3 mm with 64 parts on 86 nets, routed with 543 tracks and 34 vias.

It is built around the MAX3485ED, TPS563209DDCT and A4988. Its parts include 16 resistors, 2 ICs and 1 switch. It belongs with the lEDs and displays boards and the RP2040 boards of this library.

Main components

3

README

README.md

Split-Flap Display

Arduino firmware and KiCad hardware files for a single split-flap display module.

Contents

  • split_flap_module/split_flap_module.ino - Arduino module controller firmware
  • splitflap_display_v1/ - KiCad schematic, PCB, and project files

Firmware

The firmware is written for an Arduino-compatible AVR board and a step/dir driver:

  • STEP_PIN = 2
  • DIR_PIN = 3
  • HOME_PIN = 4 with INPUT_PULLUP
  • 200 step/rev motor
  • 1/8 microstepping
  • 14 tooth pinion driving a 26 tooth pulley
  • 52 flap positions

Compile with Arduino CLI:

sh
arduino-cli compile --fqbn arduino:avr:uno split_flap_module

Serial Control

Open serial at 115200 baud.

Useful commands:

text
help
status
sensor
diag
mechanics
chars
home
goto <0-51>
show <char|space>
jog <steps>
speed [microseconds]
mark <0-51>
demo on|off|once
stop

The character map is:

text
0      space
1-26   A-Z
27-36  0-9
37-45  . , : ! ? - # $ +
46-51  blanks

Calibration

After homing, if the physical flap shown is not logical position 0, use mark. For example, if the module is showing C and the table uses space=0, A=1, B=2, C=3:

text
mark 3

Calibration is saved to EEPROM automatically.

Demo Mode

For a single module, demo mode cycles through a simple readable sequence:

text
demo on

It spells SPLIT FLAP, shows the numerals, and then punctuation with blank pauses between sections.

Hardware

The KiCad source files are tracked. Gerbers, drill files, zip archives, lock files, and local history are ignored because they can be regenerated from the KiCad project.

Parts

64
QtyValueFootprintReferences
1210kResistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R11, R12, R13
10Conn_01x03Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_VerticalJ_HOME0, J_HOME1, J_HOME2, J_HOME3, J_HOME4, J_HOME5, J_HOME6, J_HOME7, JRS45_IN1, JRS45_OUT1
8A4988Module:Pololu_Breakout-16_15.2x20.3mmDRV0, DRV1, DRV2, DRV3, DRV4, DRV5, DRV6, DRV7
8Conn_01x04Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x04_P2.54mm_VerticalJ_MOTOR0, J_MOTOR1, J_MOTOR2, J_MOTOR3, J_MOTOR4, J_MOTOR5, J_MOTOR6, J_MOTOR7
4MountingHoleMountingHole:MountingHole_3.2mm_M3H1, H2, H3, H4
3SolderJumper_3_OpenJumper:SolderJumper-3_P1.3mm_Open_Pad1.0x1.5mmMS1, MS2, MS3
2100nFCapacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608MetricC_BST1, C_IN2
210kResistor_SMD:R_0603_1608MetricR14, R16
222µFCapacitor_SMD:C_1206_3216MetricC_OUT1, C_OUT2
110µFCapacitor_SMD:C_1206_3216MetricC_IN1
1120Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR10
11kResistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR_PWR1
13.3µHsplitflap:MGV06033R3M-12L_BUCK1
154.9kResistor_SMD:R_0603_1608MetricR15
1C_PolarizedCapacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D8.0mm_P3.50mmC_BULK1
1Conn_01x02TerminalBlock_Phoenix:TerminalBlock_Phoenix_MKDS-1,5-2-5.08_1x02_P5.08mm_HorizontalJ_PWR1
1LEDLED_SMD:LED_0805_2012MetricD_PWR1
1MAX3485Package_SO:SOIC-8_3.9x4.9mm_P1.27mmU1
1RaspberryPi_PicoModule:RaspberryPi_Pico_Common_UnspecifiedA1
1SW_DIP_x03Button_Switch_THT:SW_DIP_SPSTx03_Slide_9.78x9.8mm_W7.62mm_P2.54mmSW1
1SolderJumper_2_OpenJumper:SolderJumper-2_P1.3mm_Open_Pad1.0x1.5mmJP_TERM1
1TPS563209DDCTfootprints:DDC0006AU2

Questions

How big is the Splitflap follower 8ch v1 PCB?

It measures 154.9 × 74.3 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.

What parts does the Splitflap follower 8ch v1 use?

64 parts, built around the MAX3485ED, TPS563209DDCT and A4988. 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 Splitflap follower 8ch v1 KiCad files?

From the ZenoCoding/splitflap-display repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is splitflap_follower_8ch_v1/splitflap_follower_8ch_v1.kicad_pcb and its schematic splitflap_display_v1/splitflap_display_v1.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.

Can I use the Splitflap follower 8ch v1 design in my own project?

Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask ZenoCoding before reusing the design.

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