“When I upgrade my LED module to an RGB LED module I’d like to have someplace to show off the extra module” (small size module)
Developers or production testing modules
It’s not super hard: the input modules are just USB-C, and we have specs for the connectors, and even a full schematic for a “dev board” which adapters the pogo pins to USB-C. The main task is just designing a suitable (and sleek?) enclosure.
My own contributions here: I’ve started working on a parametric freecad design for the enclosure, which ought to be able to scale from small to medium to large to even theoretically “full scale” (large plus two small) widths.
The electrical part is pretty straightforward other than sourcing the pogo pin connector, which is custom to framework. But I found this on digikey/JLCPCB, which ought to work in pairs:
(The needed connector is 2 rows of 4 pins, spaced 2mm apart in the “4” direction and 3.5mm apart in the “2” direction.)
I haven’t figured out how to source and mount the magnets yet; on my dev board from framework the magnets quickly came unglued and I noticed that Joseph was using clothespins so I suspect the same happened there as well. So some better mounting mechanism is needed (or maybe just better glue).
I’ve designed the PCB and a 3d-printed case for holding two small or one medium-sized input module. It could be scaled down to a single small input module or scaled up to a keyboard module (it’s a parametric design) but this seems like a reasonable starting point. It includes a two-port USB hub (actually four port!) so that two modules can be used simultaneously, but these components can be omitted to make a single-port version.
The surface finish from my 3d printer isn’t great, the version printed by JLCPCB should look much nicer. I had to adjust a bunch of clearances around the pogo pins to get the official framework module to sit nicely against the magnets. V2 of the PCB has an oval slot to allow a magnet pair instead of the single magnet in V1, which should also help with grab. V2 of the PCB also has a ch32v microcontroller to watch the board ID pins and handle power management.
This is a really neat project. I have been thinking about the ability to use the Macropad for my CAM workstation at the office. Are you selling any of these? I would buy one for sure.
Let us know the progress and how someone could get their hands on one! It would be really neat if you could put the Framework logo (though you might need their permission) on like the lower left or upper left corner of it.
Thanks! I’m currently a little stuck on a compatibility issue I described over in a different thread which maybe you (@nrp) can help out on. The enclosure works for all of the boards I have on hand to test it on except the Framework official “LED Matrix” module, and I’m trying to figure out why. I don’t really want to make kits widely available unless/until I can assure compatibility with Framework modules.
Ok, I think I’ve solved that compatibility issue. I’m going to have JLCPCB make v2 boards with some fixes and improvements and if that run turns out well, I’ll likely be able to sell some kits.
Yeah, it’s something about how the sleep line is wired on the production led Matrix, which just happens to be the one thing missing from the published schematic.
Excited to see the updates on this project! My current external keyboard is starting to give it’s final input signals and I can’t really find a keyboard which would suit my needs.
I find the layout of the framework 13 keyboard amazing and I would happily use it as an external keyboard as well, which is what pointed me to the framework 16 keyboard module and seeing if I can just hook up USB to it.
A proper aluminum enclosure would look amazing, and I think manufacturing it from JLCPCB would not be too much of a hassle.
Do let us know when you have these PCBs available for ordering, or a properly adapted PCB designed for a keyboard layout enclosure (USB-C port on the top center of the module)
I love the idea of being able to use FW16 input modules with my FW13! Would be neat to have an expansion card version that connects to the side of the laptop.
