Building a corne keyboard involves assembling the fundamental components that make up a functional keyboard.
This repo is a basic guide how I did it, and contains the files for my zmk keymap.
✅ PCB (Printed Circuit Board): This is the brain of the keyboard, connecting the switches and managing keypress signals.
✅ Switches: Choose mechanical switches based on your preference (Cherry MX, Gateron, etc.). These are the keys that register keypresses.
✅ Keycaps: These are the physical keys you press. Make sure they are compatible with your chosen switches.
✅ Microcontroller: As my goal was to go wireless, currently the only option is the nicenano chip. Order how swap sockets as well.
✅Diodes: Solder diodes to prevent key ghosting and ensure accurate input.
✅Plate: A plate can be used to hold switches in place and provide stability.
✅Case: Plenty of options, currently just a plate, but later I would like to have a 3D printed one.
✅Stabilizers: If you're building a larger keyboard or using certain key layouts, you'll need stabilizers for larger keys like Enter, Shift, and Spacebar, as I only have 1U keys, not needed for his build.
✅Soldering Iron and Solder: For soldering switches and other components to the PCB.
⌛ Layout design: You can program any keystroke anywhere as you want to.
✅ Battery: To be truly wireless.
⌛ Layout Planning: Decide on your keyboard layout and ensure all components are compatible.
⬜ Soldering: Solder the diodes to the PCB, followed by the switches. Make sure to solder carefully and avoid cold joints.
⬜ Attach Microcontroller: Connect the microcontroller to the PCB, ensuring it has the necessary firmware.
⬜ Programming: Program your microcontroller to recognize keypresses and assign functions to each key.
⬜ Assembling the Case: Place the PCB into the case, securing it in place. If using a plate, attach switches to it before placing it in the case.
⬜ Keycaps: Place keycaps on the switches, ensuring they are aligned correctly.
⬜ Testing: Test each key to ensure it registers correctly. Fix any issues that arise.
⬜ Final Assembly: Close the case, securing all components in place.
Currently some parts missing, so I'm waiting for that, meanwhile assembled just to see how it will look:
