Atreus on Steady Monkey

Atreus build part 5: Adding external access to the reset pin

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 08:16:00 +0000

This post belongs to the Atreus build series, which was introduced by Onward with the Atreus keyboard.

The advantage of building your own mechanical keyboard is that you get to choose the software to run on it. The problem is that you need to place the controller in “flashing mode” to do just that.

I learnt my mistake and decided to give myself an easier time to play with the keyboard software and give me better access to the reset pin of the Pro Micro.

Atreus build part 4: Wiring the USB-C breakout board

Fri, 22 May 2020 10:46:00 +0000

This post belongs to the Atreus build series, which was introduced by Onward with the Atreus keyboard.

The breakout board will give a USB-C socket to the Atreus, much nicer to use than an old —though still omnipresent— micro-B socket. The breakout board I am using (from Adafruit) takes care of preparing the signals to force the USB-C end as a downstream device through a set of properly placed resistors. (Downstream devices means it must be connected to a host device, it cannot function on its own or be a host itself.)

Atreus build part 3: Wiring up the switches

Fri, 22 May 2020 09:55:00 +0000

This post belongs to the Atreus build series, which was introduced by Onward with the Atreus keyboard.

Last night I started soldering the rows and columns. The rows are connected by diodes (to avoid a bounce back effect from residual current on key up) while the columns are simply wired together. This multiplexing allows us to only need as many digital inputs as there are columns and rows (11 + 4, the middle thumb keys are in a column of their own).

Atreus build part 2: Glueing the switches

Wed, 20 May 2020 18:26:00 +0000

This post belongs to the Atreus build series, which was introduced by Onward with the Atreus keyboard.

Today I glued the switches on the base plate (the layer that holds them, commonly made of metal to avoid cave-in when typing energetically). It turned out to be more cumbersome than anticipated. Especially if you glue up the switches in the wrong direction…

All switches glued on the base plate (viewed from under) holding the switches. Switches with a black underside are Gateron Brown while the Kailh Pro Burgundy have a white underside.

Atreus build part 1: Dry fitting the keyboard parts

Sat, 16 May 2020 21:01:00 +0000

This post belongs to the Atreus build series, which was introduced by Onward with the Atreus keyboard.

I received the laser-cut sheet of plywood yesterday. This time I will let pictures speak for themselves.

Laser-cut plywood sheet of the individual Atreus casing elements.

Individual casing elements, lightly sanded and coated with beeswax. The two additional spacers at the bottom are spares.

Onward with the Atreus keyboard

Mon, 11 May 2020 13:07:00 +0000

In the last few months, on a quest to find a better keyboard, I’ve become totally engrossed with the Atreus keyboard (archived) , a 42-key mechanical keyboard you can build yourself. Two weeks ago, I placed an order for the Keyboard.io Atreus (archived) , which features two more keys and will be manufactured out of metal and plastic. But I am way too excited to wait for another three months until the estimated delivery date. I will build my own Atreus keyboard in the meantime.