How to Design a Custom Keyboard PCB

Learn how to design a custom keyboard from scratch with this step-by-step tutorial. This video series will cover in-depth details on schematic design, PCB layout, and making key decisions to bring this project to life.

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Designing the PCB Schematic

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Step 1: Creating a Block Diagram and Choosing the Right Microcontroller

In step 1 of our keyboard PCB design series, we’ll walk through high-level schematic planning using OrCAD X as our design tool. Adam will guide you through the block diagram of the project explaining

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Step 2: Designing a Mechanical Keyboard PCB with a Raspberry Pi Microcontroller

In step 2 of our custom keyboard PCB design series, we focus on designing the microcontroller section of the schematic using OrCAD X. Adam walks through the process of integrating the Raspberry Pi RP2

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Step 3: Designing the Power Stage for a Reliable Mechanical Keyboard PCB

In step 3 of the schematic portion of designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, Adam walks through the process of integrating a USB-C connector into the design. This part focuses on p

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Step 4: Building the Key Matrix for Your Mechanical Keyboard PCB

In step 4 of the schematic portion on designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, Adam focuses on building the key matrix, the fundamental circuit that detects key presses in mechanica

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Step 5: Enhancing Your Keyboard Design with Custom LED Circuits

In step 5 of the schematic portion on designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, Adam shows you how to integrate custom lighting into your design by building a dedicated LED circuit. T

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Step 6: Designing the LCD Interface for Your Mechanical Keyboard PCB

Welcome to the last video in the schematic portion for designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, Adam demonstrates how to integrate a liquid crystal display (LCD) module into your key

Creating the PCB Layout

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Step 1: Translating the Schematic into a PCB Layout for a Mechanical Keyboard

In the first video of the PCB layout portion for designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, Adam goes step by step through translating the schematic to the PCB layout. From making mino

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Step 2: Drawing the Board Outline for Your Mechanical Keyboard PCB

In step 2 of the PCB layout portion on designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, Adam guides you through the process of creating a keyboard design with detailed dimensions and specifi

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Step 3: Setting Up a Cross Section and Assigning Layer Colors

In step 3 of the PCB layout portion on designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, we’ll guide you through setting up the cross section for your PCB design and customizing its layer col

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Step 4: Placing Components on Your Mechanical Keyboard PCB

In step 4 of the PCB layout portion on designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, we’ll help you efficiently place components on a keyboard PCB using OrCAD X.

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Step 5: Defining Constraints for Your Mechanical Keyboard PCB

In step 5 of the PCB layout portion on designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, Adam teaches you how to set up physical and electrical constraints in OrCAD X to avoid unexpected surp

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Step 6: Completing the Layout for Your Mechanical Keyboard PCB

In step 6 of the PCB layout portion on designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, learn how to route nets efficiently using both assisted and manual route commands. Adam demonstrates w