The TypeBoy Keyboard & TypePak Cartridge

Wrapped up my documentation on this unusual mashup! https://flatfootfox.com/typeboy-keyboard-typepak-cartridge/

I managed to fit a XIAO BLE, Sharp Memory Display, shift register, and LiPo battery inside of a Game Boy Advance cartridge. The “TypePak” is mostly just for aesthetics, but it will make swapping microcontrollers more straightforward if I use it on future builds. The keyboard itself is pretty strait-laced 58 key split ergo outside of its GBA-compatible cartridge slot. I did some experimenting swapping out volume rotary encoders for thumb switches to try and keep the Game Boy vibes going. Everything’s topped off with a few FK Custom keycaps.

LazaroFilm,
@LazaroFilm@lemmy.world avatar

The real question is… is it backlit? It shouldn’t be, unless you make it square and gave it a hinge in the middle to fold.

diykeyboards,

This is fun. Nice job!

SubArcticTundra,
@SubArcticTundra@lemmy.ml avatar

I love it! It looks so delightfully 90’s

Sanctus,
@Sanctus@lemmy.world avatar

You really squeezed a lot of stuff in that cart. It looks amazing!

FlatFootFox,
@FlatFootFox@lemmy.world avatar

There’s nothing quite like seeing a nicely spaced out PCB in KiCAD, only to have the real thing show up in the mail and show you just how close 0.5mm pins with a 0.5mm pitch really are. I’m really happy with how it all came together in the end though!

dnzm,
@dnzm@feddit.nl avatar

Oh, that is glorious.

Cris_Color, (edited )

That looks god damn fantastic

You did an incredible job color matching the fillament to the keycaps!

iammayhem,

This is really impressive. Great write up also, was cool to read through your process. One question though - what filament is that? I have been looking at those FK custom keycard, but the matching case really takes it to the next level.

FlatFootFox,
@FlatFootFox@lemmy.world avatar

Thanks! It’s Inland’s Purple PLA. a.co/d/8ImXXVE Ironically I had a spool of it from a year or two ago. It just happened to match the keycaps well.

iammayhem,

Appreciate it!

telepresence,
@telepresence@discuss.tchncs.de avatar

based based based i love this keyboard and your site too

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