2 layers266 × 89.6 mm
2 layers276 × 87.1 mm
Molekula2
zzeneg/molekula98Framework for building ergo keyboards
- Size
- 276 × 87.1 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 93
- Nets
- 105
- Pads
- 849
- Tracks, vias
- 918, 101
- Pours
- 1
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 8.0 (file 20240108)
- Created
- 4 May 2024
- Updated
- 22 Sep 2026
Overview
Molekula2 is an open-source printed circuit board by zzeneg, from the zzeneg/molekula repository on GitHub, published under the MIT licence. It is a 2-layer board of 276 × 87.1 mm with 93 parts on 105 nets, routed with 918 tracks and 101 vias.
It is built around the 1N4148W, FPC05012-09200 and AFC11-S12ICA-00. Its parts include 38 switches, 36 diodes and 12 connectors. It belongs with the keyboards and input boards of this library.
Main components
3
1N4148W
SOD-123150mA 1A 1V@50mA 1uA@75V 400mW 4ns 75V Independent SOD-123 Switching Diodes ROHSSTMicroelectronicsSwitching Diodes
FPC05012-09200
SMD,P=0.5mm,卧贴-25℃~+85℃ 0.3mm 0.5mm 12P 2mm Bottom Contact Hinged Lid Surface Mount, Right Angle SMD,P=0.5mm,卧贴 FFC, FPC (Flat Flexible) Connector Assemblies ROHSSHENZHEN ATOM TECHFFC, FPC (Flat Flexible) Connector Assemblies
AFC11-S12ICA-00
SMD,P=0.5mm0.3mm 0.5mm 12P 4.4mm Copper alloy Single-side Contact/Vertical Slide Lock Surface Mount,Vertical Tin SMD,P=0.5mm FFC, FPC (Flat Flexible) Connector Assemblies ROHSJUSHUOFFC, FPC (Flat Flexible) Connector Assemblies
README
README.mdmolekula: keyboard & framework
modular framework
This project aims to provide components for building modular ergo keyboards by separating one main PCB into central and side parts. Side is a dumb PCB, with key matrix only (up to 25 keys), and accepts all switch types (MX/ChocV1/ChocV2/GLP). Central is a keyboard brain, which contains any MCU (wired/wireless/integrated) and additional hardware - encoders/touchpads/trackballs/displays/etc, while keeping its size under 100x100mm. PCBs are interconnected with 12-pin FFC cables, and can be replaced/updated independently.
Such modular approach allows for quick, cheap and easy experimenting with different hardware, prototyping, and reusing of side PCBs.
PCB examples
- central with pro-micro/nice!nano footprint, nice!view and rotary encoder
- side with 18 keys and minY spacing (19x16mm)
Molekula keyboards
Reference design using molekula PCBs.
Features:
- minY (19x16mm) spacing
- 36 keys
- wireless
- nice!view support
- rotary encoder
Molekula2
Unibody that can be disassembled into two parts for traveling
Molekula3
Unibody assembled from multiple parts, to allow easy modifications and experiments.
- optimised for FDM printing
- configurable angle and distance between sides (default is 18deg and 60mm)
- different options with dongle or nice!view
- MX/KS-33/ChocV1/ChocV2 are supported, except thumbs are low-profile only
minY keycaps
Keycaps designed for minY spacing (19mmx16mm):
Support
If you like my work and want to support my future designs, please consider sponsorship.
Sponsors
Molekula2 keyboard was sponsored by PCBWay. I can highly recommend their PCBA and 3D printing services - "Imaging Black" resin looks fantastic.
Parts
93| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | C81598 | zzkeeb:Diode_1N4148-SOD123 | D1, D2, D10, D11, D12, D13, D14, D15, D16, D17, D18, D19, D20, D21, D22, D23 +20 |
| 30 | Switch | zzkeeb:Switch_MXKSChoc-miny-hotswap-chocv2-3d | SW1, SW2, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW13, SW14, SW15, SW19, SW20, SW21, SW22, SW23, SW24, SW25, SW26 +14 |
| 7 | MountingHole | zzkeeb:Hole_M2-solder-nut-2.5 | H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6, H7 |
| 6 | Switch | zzkeeb:Switch_KSChoc-miny-hotswap-chocv2-3d | SW16, SW17, SW18, SW34, SW35, SW36 |
| 4 | C479750 | zzkeeb:Connector_FFC-12pin-0.5mm-horizontal | J2, J3, J4, J5 |
| 2 | C262499 | zzkeeb:Connector_FFC-12pin-0.5mm-vertical | J8, J9 |
| 2 | Conn_01x02_Socket | zzkeeb:Connector_JST-1x02-2.00mm | J7, J12 |
| 2 | Conn_01x12_Socket | zzkeeb:Connector_Magnetic-12pin | J10, J11 |
| 1 | Display_nice-view | zzkeeb:Display_nice-view | J6 |
| 1 | N!N | zzkeeb:MCU_nice-nano | J1 |
| 1 | RotaryEncoder_Switch | zzkeeb:RotaryEncoder_EC11 | SW38 |
| 1 | SW_Push | zzkeeb:Button_SW_SPST_SKQG_WithoutStem | SW37 |
Questions
How big is the Molekula2 PCB?
It measures 276 × 87.1 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Molekula2 use?
93 parts, built around the 1N4148W, FPC05012-09200 and AFC11-S12ICA-00. 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 Molekula2 KiCad files?
From the zzeneg/molekula repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is keyboards/Molekula2/pcb.kicad_pcb and its schematic keyboards/Molekula2/pcb.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Molekula2 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).
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