The Factory | Designing a Custom Macro Keypad for KiCad

We designed a custom macro keypad to improve our KiCad workflow. The PCB was designed in KiCad, fitted with rotary encoders, leds and Cherry MX Blue switches all powered by a Teensy board. A custom enclosure was then modelled in RS Design Spark and 3D Printed on our Ultimaker S5.

The KiPad groups all the useful PCB layout functions for the left hand, leaving the right hand free to stay on the mouse - no more jumping back and forth to the keyboard. It has everything we need daily: Lay tracks, change layers, visibility settings, grid/track sizes - there's even media controls for those deep-work tunes.

See the project writeup and get the design files here: https://core-electronics.com.au/projects/kipad-a-custom-macro-keypad-for-kicad

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