Mechanical Keyboard PCB Design

In step 1 of our keyboard PCB design series, we’ll walk through high-level schematic planning using OrCAD X as our design tool. Adam will guide you through the block diagram of the project explaining the major functional sections of the design, including power management, key switch matrix, RGM LED integration, and LCD display control. He’ll also compare to widely used microcontroller options - Raspberry Pi RP2040 and Microchip ATMEGA32U4 – highlighting their advantages and tradeoffs for keyboard applications.
What You'll Learn in This Video:

• Designing the power page (USB-C power and voltage regulation).
• Building the key switch matrix.
• Configuring the addressable RGB LED setup.
• Interfacing a 16x2 LCD module with an I2C expander.
• Comparing microcontrollers (Raspberry Pi RP2040 vs. Microchip ATMEGA32U4).
• Reviewing the overall Block diagram.

In step 2 of our custom keyboard PCB design series, we focus on designing the microcontroller section of the schematic using OrCAD X. Adam walks through the process of integrating the Raspberry Pi RP2040 into the design, referencing the official Raspberry Pi hardware design guide to ensure best practices. This step is essential for building a stable and functional core around which the rest of your keyboard circuitry is built.
What You'll Learn in This Video:

• Designing a minimum viable RP2040 circuit.
• Selecting and correctly placing decoupling capacitors.
• Implementing power supply and voltage regulation for the microcontroller.
• Tips for optimizing your schematic design.

In step 3 of the schematic portion of designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, Adam walks through the process of integrating a USB-C connector into the design. This step focuses on properly wiring power and communication lines, using the correct voltage regulation components, and ensuring compliance with USB-C specifications.
What You'll Learn in This Video:

• Adding a USB-C connector and wiring the power pins.
• Using a linear regulator to step down the voltage from 5V to 3.3V. Connecting channel configurations (CC) pins using 5.1KΩ resistors.
• Proper grounding and wiring of communication signals.

In step 4 of the schematic portion on designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, Adam focuses on building the key matrix, the fundamental circuit that detects key presses in a mechanical keyboard. He explains how the matric works, why it's essential for efficient keyboard design, and how to implement it effectively using ORCAD X.What You'll Learn in This Video:

• Understanding the role of the key matrix in keyboard functionality.
• Step-by-step guide on creating a key matrix.

• Best practices to avoid key ghosting and ensure reliable key detection.

In step 5 of the schematic portion on designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, Adam shows you how to integrate custom lighting into your design by building a dedicated LED circuit. This step focuses on connecting the LED system, particularly using Neopixel LEDs, to the keyboard matrix and RP2040 microcontroller, while covering best practices for circuit wiring and layout.
What You'll Learn in This Video:

• Connecting keyboard matrix rows and columns to the RP2040 microcontroller for LED control.
• Understanding the function of Neopixel LEDs and integrating them into your circuit.
• Wiring for power, ground, and data connections for addressable LED systems.
• Practical layout tips for placing and linking LED components in your schematic.

Welcome to the last video in the schematic portion for designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, Adam demonstrates how to integrate a liquid crystal display (LCD) module into your keyboard circuit. This LCD interface adds extra functionality, such as a custom calculator mode, and provides a practical example of I²C based peripheral integration. This video wraps up the schematic phase before moving on to PCB layout.
What You'll Learn:

• Wiring the LCD module using the I²C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) interface.
• Properly configuring power, ground, and pull-up resistors for the I²C bus.
• Understanding the importance and role of decoupling capacitors.

In the first video of the PCB layout portion for designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, Adam goes step by step through translating the schematic to the PCB layout. From making minor tweaks in the schematic, like adding "no connects" for unconnected pins, to properly setting up your layout tool.
This step includes cleaning up your schematic, addressing unconnected pins, and configuring the layout environment in OrCAD X.
What you'll learn in this video:

• Annotating and syncing your schematic for accurate layout generation.
• Key setup tips for using Orcad X Presto, the new layout editor.
• Troubleshooting common errors, like missing components due to footprint issues.
• Using the layout editor to check, monitor, and interpret design status.

In step 2 of the PCB layout portion on designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, Adam guides you through the process of creating a keyboard design with detailed dimensions and specific positioning for keys and divots. If you’ve struggled with aligning your design to fit into an enclosure or ensuring proper orientation, you’ll learn to avoid mishaps and work smartly.
What you'll learn in this video:

• Create a detailed board outline from scratch without relying on external CAD tools like AutoCAD or FreeCAD.
• Setting up grids and choosing an origin to simplify layout alignment.
• Using built-in drawing (lines, arcs, snapping) for accurate dimensions.
• Adding round corners and custom features such as divots to the board shape.

In step 3 of the PCB layout portion on designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, we’ll guide you through setting up the cross-section for your PCB design and customizing its layer colors. Learn how to create a professional 4-layer stack-up and ensure proper layer thickness for improved 3D visualization.
What you'll learn in this video:

• Define a 4-layer PCB stack-up with top, ground, power, and bottom layers.
• Set accurate layer thicknesses based on manufacturer guidelines.
• Assign materials and properties, such as copper and dielectrics, for simulation accuracy.
• Customizing layer colors to simplify navigation in complex PCB layouts.

In step 4 of the PCB layout portion on designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, we’ll help you efficiently place components on a keyboard PCB using OrCAD X.
What you'll learn in this video:

• Step-by-step guidance on placing keys, diodes, and LEDs while referencing schematics and aligning with design standards.
• Pro tips for managing grid settings and using alternate footprints for larger keys like the Shift and Spacebar.
• Techniques to organize components like LCDs and microcontrollers to simplify routing.

In step 5 of the PCB layout portion on designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, Adam teaches you how to set up physical and electrical constraints in OrCAD X to avoid unexpected surprises during your PCB design.
What you'll learn in this video:

• The importance of setting predefined constraints for effective layouts.
• How to define custom via stacks and trace widths for complex designs.
• Techniques to organize nets into power and signal categories for easier rule management.
• Creating region-specific rules to override default spacing.
• Tips to avoid manufacturing issues by meeting clearance, spacing, and manufacturability standards.

In step 6 of the PCB layout portion on designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, learn how to route nets efficiently using both assisted and manual route commands. Adam demonstrates why preparation during the schematic and placement stages makes routing easier and showcases specific features of OrCAD X to streamline the design process.

What you'll learn in this video:

• Benefits of using assisted routing with DRC checks, auto-centering, and smoothing.
• Dynamic trace width control and applying region-based constraints.
• Cleanup techniques for standardized, manufacturable routing

In step 7 of the PCB layout portion on designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, you will learn how to route connections from supporting components to the controller. Get insight into efficient routing practices, including proper via usage, multi-layer trace planning, and assigning copper shapes for power delivery. You’ll also explore workflow accelerators like routing hotkeys and automatic DRC checks to improve layout speed and accuracy.
What you'll learn in this video:

• Use Ctrl + W and other shortcuts to accelerate net connections and routing.
• Use Vias to refine top and bottom layers for clean connectivity.
• Create and assign copper pours for power and ground layers.
• Run Design Rule Checks (DRC) and track unrouted nets to ensure layout integrity.

In step 8 of the PCB layout portion on designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, Adam demonstrates how to connect switches using a column/row matrix. This video walks through layout techniques that minimize signal interference and improve routing efficiency. You’ll also learn how to simplify the layout by making schematic-level pin swaps that reduce via usage and trace congestion.
What you'll learn in this video:

• Connecting switches in a matrix configuration for efficient signal routing.
• Techniques for minimizing crosstalk and signal integrity issues.
• Swapping pins on the schematic to simplify connections and reduce unnecessary vias.

In step 9 of the PCB layout portion on designing a custom keyboard PCB from scratch with OrCAD X, you will learn practical layout strategies that improve routing efficiency, reduce congestion, and enhance manufacturability. The video covers techniques such as pin swapping to minimize crossovers, smart via placement to maintain clean signal paths, and layout cleanup methods like trace sliding and correction for polished production-ready results.
What you'll learn in this video:

• Optimizing signal layouts with pin swapping to reduce crossovers and simplify routing.
• Adjust decoupling capacitor placement and trace paths in real-time for tight geometries.
• Applying clean-up routing routines like sliding and trace correction to improve layout quality and manufacturability.

Welcome to the final video in our Mechanical keyboard PCB series. In this session, Adam walks through the final steps needed to prepare your custom PCB design for manufacturing using OrCAD X. You’ll learn how to refine thermal reliefs, optimize placement and silkscreen layers for clarity, and generate the necessary outputs for fabrication and assembly documentation.
What you’ll learn in this video:

• Refine thermal reliefs, component placement, and silkscreen for better assembly and readability.
• Optimize ground plane connections using via arrays.
• Create manufacturing-ready assembly drawings and documentation.
• Prepare Gerber files and IPC 2581 outputs for PCB production.