Simple KiCad For Simple Vintage Computer Hobbyists: Part 7a (Keyboard Design 1) [TCE #0620]
18Let's see if we can design a replacement mechanical keyboard for the 1987 Cambridge Computer Z88 using Gateron KS-33 low profile key switches. The rubber keyboard (Sir Clive special!) doesn't seem to work too well on my machine so maybe a mechanical one would be nice.
Maybe ... maybe not, but let's give it a try and see how it turns out.
This video covers how to use some tools to quickly layout a keyboard for a vintage computer. We won't cover routing nor worry about the physical mounting aspects - we'll cover that in Part 7b:
• Simple KiCad For Simple Vintage Computer H...
The design can be found on my Github:
https://github.com/0ddjob/Sinclair/tree/main/Z88_Mechanical_Keyboard
Relevant links:
[1] Gateron KS-33 footprint for KiCad:
https://github.com/siderakb/key-switches.pretty
[2] Keyboard Layout Editor
https://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/
[3] Plate Builder
http://builder.swillkb.com/
[4] Thin film connector
TE Connectivity/AMP part 5-520314-8
KiCad files from Mouser
[5] Gateron 3D model
https://www.gateron.com/pages/3d
Disclaimer: I'm not a Kicad super-user, I'm not a circuit design guru, I'm just a simple vintage computer hobbyist who needs simple PCBs from time to time. And yes, this sort of thing has probably been designed a dozen times before, but there's no harm in trying to learn how it's done is there?
I'm using Kicad 9.0 on a 2022 MacBook Air (M2 with 24GB RAM) running macOS 15.5.
Application: KiCad arm64 on arm64
Version: 9.0.0, release build
Platform: macOS Sequoia Version 15.5 (Build 24F74)
0:00:00 ... Intro
0:04:45 ... Custom symbols, footprints, 3D models
0:14:30 ... Schematic design
0:26:56 ... Assign footprints
0:28:00 ... Keyboard layout
0:43:20 ... Generate key switch layout guide
0:48:30 ... Key switch layout on PCB
0:57:45 ... Physical PCB
1:00:45 ... 3D view of our keyboard
1:03:02 ... KBPLACER plugin
1:05:30 ... Freerouting attempt
1:06:03 ... Channel thanks & outro
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/ @whitebataudio