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#4266194 - 06/02/16 10:59 AM DIY keypad 'flight computer'  
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robv Offline
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Hello guys,

I would like to share my work with you. I am building a simpit for Elite Dangerous and I already have most of the things working and playable. It started with building a HOTAS but I kind of got sucked in.

So now I am working on making the keyboard obsolete. As everything in the game is mapped to controls, a keyboard is only needed for chat messages and for typing in star system names. I came up with the concept of a flight computer which doesn't look like a regular PC keyboard but can act as one.

Yesterday I finished the LED matrix and button matrix and I made a little video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZaad_FhmsE


Here are some work in progress pics.







Last edited by robv; 06/02/16 11:00 AM.
Inline advert (2nd and 3rd post)

#4266202 - 06/02/16 11:31 AM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: robv]  
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Your whole 'pit is SLICK!
Very cool.


looks very modernishy-phoney-windows eighty-tabletty like

Asus P8P67 Pro Rev. 3.0 // i5 2500k @4.3 GHz with Noctua NH-D14 // nvidia gtx 780 // 8 GB DDR3 1600 //Win7 home 64 bit //450 GB VelociRaptor //Recon3D Champion
#4266285 - 06/02/16 02:18 PM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: robv]  
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robv Offline
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I need to get new material and paint to make the keycaps so it looks really rough right now. I have little time and energy to go out for the little things. Instead, i will work on the electronics and firmware. I need to connect the display and write a little code to send the keys to the computer. Not difficult, but it will take some time.

Thanks, Cold_Gambler!

Last edited by robv; 06/02/16 02:20 PM.
#4266298 - 06/02/16 02:52 PM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: Cold_Gambler]  
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Originally Posted By: Cold_Gambler
Your whole 'pit is SLICK!
Very cool.


I second that notion. smile

Well done! thumbsup

#4266350 - 06/02/16 06:30 PM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: robv]  
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Repvez Offline
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What is the type of micro switch with led?
This is RGB led or just single color?

#4266370 - 06/02/16 07:35 PM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: Repvez]  
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robv Offline
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Originally Posted By: Repvez
What is the type of micro switch with led?
This is RGB led or just single color?

I found the switches on aliexpress.com Link . They are one-color leds, no rgb but you could order different color and use red for special buttons maybe.

#4266523 - 06/03/16 07:44 AM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: robv]  
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Very impressive build.

How about printing out an overlay with symbols above where the switches are and getting it laminated. You'd then have a sort of membrane type keypad.

Keep up the good work!

Andy


Andy's simpit: http://www.simpit.me.uk
#4266829 - 06/04/16 03:04 AM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: robv]  
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robv Offline
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thanks for the suggestion, Andy

#4267062 - 06/04/16 08:17 PM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: robv]  
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Keypad finished!!

Next job is to work on the firmware and make it work like a keypad. Then when my LCD arrives I can continue on the partner panel which should be trivial as I've already made all the buttons.

First trial button didn't look good.. The engraving of the 'R' was a bit off. But on the whole i was pretty pleased.


So after a few adjustments I was able to cut out all the keys. 64 in total. I made a few extra because I wasn't sure what descriptions to put of the computer side so I just winged it and made a few like 'AUTO', 'SHIFT' 'POWER' and such.





#4267088 - 06/04/16 09:59 PM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: robv]  
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How did you make the buttons?

Can you tell me more about how you made the faceplate and also the board where you mounted the keys?


- Ice
#4267158 - 06/05/16 08:35 AM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: - Ice]  
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Originally Posted By: - Ice
How did you make the buttons?

Can you tell me more about how you made the faceplate and also the board where you mounted the keys?

I would be my pleasure!

I made the panels and switches by painting transparant acrylic sheets with Humbrol modelling paint (comes in a small spray can). This paint is specially made for plastics, has very good adhesion and doesn't melt when lasercutting. I have to paint several layers for it to become opaque (hold it against the light and check that no light bleeds through).

After the paint is done I can engrave the panels so that the white below the paint comes through.

The comes the engraving/cutting. All the panels we lasercut with the 40W lasercutter we have at my local hackerspace; i must have spent several hours sitting next to it by now biggrin At first i wanted to make a proper PCB for the switches. But as this is a one-off prototype and PCB's for this size are pretty expensive i tried to do it by hand. After designing the layout in AutoCAD 2016 I added several layers in my diagram:
1) switch solder panel (2mm,my alternative for the PCB)
2) support panel (actually wasn't needed but it serves as a good standoff panel right now).
3) button panel (5mm thick creme transparent white with black paint)
4) button retaining panel (2mm white)
5) front panel (3mm thick creme transparent white with dark grey paint)

Because the buttons are 5mm and the front panel is only 3mm, the buttons stick out by 2mm which gives are nice glowing effect when they are lit.

Layer #4 is something that came up last-minute since my previous solution didn't work. These are little plates that are glued to the backside of the buttons so they do not fall out. The buttons themselves are 13x13 (wider ones are 21x13) and the backplate is 15x15 to give them a 1mm border.

This all comes together in a stack. The distance from the pseudopcb to the buttons is fixed with a few stand-offs, but exactly high enough so that the spring tension of the switches pushes the buttons against the front plate without actually making contact. These tact switches have only 0.5mm travel.

#4267370 - 06/05/16 09:53 PM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: robv]  
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Ah, acrylic with laser cutter. Explains a lot! Wish I had access to that. If I could, I'll be more confident in building stuff..... my greatest fear is things not aligning once built frown How did you get the keys to connect to the switches?

Also, can you show me a photo of #s 1-5 just so I know what you're talking about?


- Ice
#4268040 - 06/07/16 08:35 PM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: robv]  
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Progress!



Left panels is waiting for the buttons and electronics. I just assembled it for sharing.

#4268046 - 06/07/16 08:53 PM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: robv]  
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So jealous!!


- Ice
#4268053 - 06/07/16 09:08 PM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: - Ice]  
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robv Offline
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Originally Posted By: - Ice
So jealous!!
thanks!

Ps. I made pictures of the panels unassembled, but they are on my camera. I'll share them tomorrow if i do not forget!

#4268090 - 06/07/16 11:04 PM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: robv]  
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Yes please! Don't forget to label which one corresponds to which number you mentioned previously. Also, repeating my question: how did you get the keys to connect to the switches? Any chance of a photo of the back of the keys?

Thanks!


- Ice
#4268230 - 06/08/16 12:40 PM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: robv]  
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Nice! Very precise and clean work. Keep posting photos.

#4268365 - 06/08/16 07:18 PM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: - Ice]  
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robv Offline
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Originally Posted By: - Ice
Yes please! Don't forget to label which one corresponds to which number you mentioned previously. Also, repeating my question: how did you get the keys to connect to the switches? Any chance of a photo of the back of the keys?

Thanks!

here you go. Top to bottom: #1 top layer, #2 placeholder, #5 'pcb'.


Buttons: #3 and #4. #3 is the black engraved one (which plastic with black paint). And the transparent ones are the retainer clips that are glued on. It also shows the very small tactile switches and how they'd sit agains the keycaps.


So in short (from the bottom up): #5 PCB with switches, #2 spacer plate (the black one), buttons (#3 and #4) and then the top layer. the between the black plate and the top plate the connecting bolts have spaced sufficiently so that the keycap can move a little up and down.


Closeup of the computer panel (missing the display)


Closeup of the keypad

#4268398 - 06/08/16 08:30 PM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: robv]  
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Very impressive! Really looks professional.


looks very modernishy-phoney-windows eighty-tabletty like

Asus P8P67 Pro Rev. 3.0 // i5 2500k @4.3 GHz with Noctua NH-D14 // nvidia gtx 780 // 8 GB DDR3 1600 //Win7 home 64 bit //450 GB VelociRaptor //Recon3D Champion
#4268413 - 06/08/16 09:00 PM Re: DIY keypad 'flight computer' [Re: robv]  
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robv Offline
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Once i get the software going, it'll become 'lagendary' haha,

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