Before you begin, here is a list of all things you will need during the build process. There is also a list of optional components that will make your life easier but are not absolutely neccessary.

What you need:

• 3D printer: A 0.25mm nozzle is strongly suggested for best results
  • If you don't have a 3D printer and also no friend with a 3D printer and there also no hackspace nearby, you can order the prints online
• Soldering iron: Any decent iron will do
• OpenSCAD: A powerful CAD software which will be used to create the 3D files for the case and key mat

Optional requirements

• Reflow oven (works better then soldering by hand)
• KiCAD: A PCB CAD software which you can use to order the PCB and flex cable. Gerber files from GitLab should be enough for most PCB fabs.

This section lists all things you need to buy before you can put together a mkbd65.

Main PCB

The main PCB is the same for all phones. The only thing that changes is the case and the flex cable that connects the PCB to your phone. To order the PCB you can either use the Gerber files from GitLab releases or open the project in KiCAD and upload from there.

Order with Gerber files from JLCPCB (China)

1. Download the gerber.zip file from the latest release from GitLab
2. Go to JLCPCB and upload the gerber.zip file
3. Set the PCB Thickness to 1.6mm
4. You can choose whatever color you like
5. As Surface Finish you can choose ENIG if you like, it's more expensive but easier to solder and lead free
6. You can use the PCB assembly service from JLCPCB if you don't want to assemble the PCB yourself
7. If you want to assemble the PCB yourself with a reflow oven, don't forget to buy a stencil!

5 PCBs (which is the minimum order size) with HASL finish and a stencil will cost you around 15€. If you choose ENIG finish the price go be around 30€. Assembly without compoents factored in will be around 35€.

Order from directly with KiCAD from Aisler (Europe)

1. Clone the git repo from GitLab
2. Open the project with KiCAD
3. If not already done open the Plugin and Content Manager
4. Install the AISLER Push for KiCad plugin from the Plugins tab and click Apply Pending Changes
5. Open the PCB Editor and click the Push layout to AISLER button in the top right
6. On the website that should open, you can go to the BOM tab and assign the components, if you want Aisler to assemble the PCBs for you
7. On the checkout tab, choose "Beautiful Boards HD" if you want to assemble the boards yourself or "Amazing Assembly" if you want Aisler to do the assembly
8. If you want to assemble the PCB yourself with a reflow oven, don't forget to order a "Stellar Stencil"

3 PCBs (which is the minimum order size) with ENIG finish and a stencil will cost you around 60€. Assembly will cost you more then 100€, so I wouldn't recommend it. It is far too expensive. Better source the components at Mouser or Digikey and assemble the PCB yourself. Don't forget the stencil if you want to use a reflow oven!

Flex cable

Similar to the main PCB, the flex cable need to be bought at a PCB fab. The lenght of the cable depends on the size of you phone.

JS that calculates hwat flex cable you need here

Phone length

mm

Long side of the phone

Phone width

mm

Short side of the phone

---

Flex PCB length

mm

Calculate

Case

The case is 3D printed and consists of multiple parts. You can choose whatever color you like. As material PLA is the recommended choice but others like ABS or PETG would work aswell. Feel free to experiment and share you're results in the community chat.

Bottom case

Top case

Key mat

The keyboard has a 3D printed layer which sits on top of the PCB. This 3D print is a bit more tricky becasue it involves a material change. Near the stop the print will stop and you have to replace the filamaent with a different color. This is done so the labels on the keys have a different color then the rest and are visible. If you din't need visible labels you can skip this step and print the key mat in one go.

1. Clone the git repo with the files for the case: gitlab.com/mkbd65/cad
2. Design your key mat or use an existing one
3. slicer
4. print

tba

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