akajr / Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example]

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Pico Macro Keyboard PCB Design

akajr

akajr

Fresh-place the entire Pico Macro Keyboard PCB from scratch on a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer board. Top side priority:
Keep the top side clean and user-facing. Place the mechanical key switches in a regular macro-keypad grid with consistent row/column spacing and aligned orientation. Keep the RGB LEDs visually associated with their corresponding switches and avoid crowding the key grid. Place rotary encoders and any user-facing controls on the top side in ergonomic positions near the key grid. Place mounting holes near the board corners and keep them clear of switches and encoders. Bottom side priority:
Place the Raspberry Pi Pico / MCU module and the majority of supporting electronics on the bottom side. Group the MCU, flash, crystal/oscillator, regulator/power parts, reset/boot circuitry, USB/support passives, and decoupling capacitors by function. Keep decoupling capacitors close to their associated IC power pins, crystal/load caps close to the MCU oscillator pins, and power components clustered together. Minimize estimated routing distance between the bottom-side MCU and the top-side switches, LEDs, and encoders. Prefer moving support passives on the bottom side rather than contaminating the top-side visual layout. Placement quality goals:
Resolve overlaps, keep all components inside the board outline, preserve routing channels between the key grid and MCU area, and maintain clean edge/corner clearance. Use both layers intentionally: top for human-interface components, bottom for dense electronics. After placement, run DRC/review and report any remaining overlap, off-board, or layer-assignment issues.
4 days

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Plan
#Goal Design and fresh-place the complete Pico Macro Keyboard on a new 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer PCB, using the top side as a user-friendly interface (with a macro-keypad grid, associated per-key RGB LEDs, rotary encoders, and mounting holes) and the bottom side for the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module and support electronics, clearly grouped by function.
#Implementation plan
  1. Configure Board Setup
    1. Set PCB size to a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle and define a standard 4-layer stackup.
    2. Verify clearance requirements especially at board corners for mounting holes.
  2. Component Placement - Top Side
    1. Place mechanical switches in a regular grid layout forming the macro-keypad.
    2. Place per-key RGB LEDs associated with each switch ensuring they do not crowd the layout.
    3. Place rotary encoders and additional user controls near the grid, prioritizing ergonomic positioning.
    4. Add mounting holes near the corners with appropriate clearance.
  3. Component Placement - Bottom Side
    1. Place the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module along with related support electronics (flash, crystal/oscillator, regulator/power, reset/boot, and USB/support passives) grouped by function.
    2. Group decoupling capacitors near their associated IC power pins.
    3. Place the crystal oscillator and its load capacitors close together and near the corresponding pins on the MCU.
    4. Cluster power components together to minimize routing distances to the top-side controls.
  4. Review and Routing
    1. Ensure placement distances preserve routing channels between top and bottom side components.
    2. Check that all components are within board boundaries and that competitive areas are free from overlaps.
    3. Run DRC and review placement for remaining overlaps, off-board placements, or layer-assignment issues.
#Success criteria
  • The PCB layout meets the defined 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle dimensions with correct stacking.
  • Top side hosts all user interface elements (switches, LEDs, rotary encoders, and mounting holes) clearly and ergonomically.
  • Bottom side groups the Pico/MCU and support electronics functionally with proper proximity for decoupling and oscillator circuits.
  • All components are placed without overlaps, off-board issues, and preserve necessary routing channels after DRC review.
USB at top edge
4x3 key grid
Encoders upper-right
Bottom passives
Run DRC check
4 days

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    Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example]

    Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example] thumbnail
    The Pico Macro Keyboard is a compact and powerful macro pad built using the latest Raspberry Pi Pico 2. Inspired by the Figma Creator Micro, this keyboard is designed for customizable control and enhanced productivity. It features mechanical switches with per-key RGB lighting, along with two rotary encoders for added functionality. With a modular 4-layer PCB and fully customizable keymaps, it seamlessly integrates with any software, making it perfect for designers, gamers, and power users alike.

    Properties

    creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    Pricing & Availability

    Distributor

    Qty 1

    Arrow

    $3.36–$3.36

    Digi-Key

    $9.30–$10.93

    LCSC

    $8.11–$8.30

    Mouser

    $9.85

    TME

    $0.99

    Verical

    $6.35–$8.42

    Controls

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