Keyboard CAD Assistant

The output of this tool may not be what you intended, or even a valid CAD file. Always verify correctness of the drawings before using them to produce parts.

If you use this tool to make plates, please let us know how it goes: feedback@astrospark.com

Keyboard CAD Assistant takes layouts from keyboard-layout-editor.com and produces a CAD drawing that can be used to create a plate for mounting mechanical key switches.

Features

Cherry-compatible switches
Cherry, Costar, or combined stabilizers
Drawing output in DXF, SVG, and STL formats
Configurable kerf and border width
Support for rotated keys (ErgoDox, for example)
3D preview

Limitations

Irregularly sized keys unsupported (supported keys: 1 x 1, 1 x 1.25, 1 x 1.5, 1 x 1.75, 1 x 2, 1 x 2.25, 1 x 2.5, 1 x 2.75, 1 x 6.25, ISO Enter)

Feedback welcome at feedback@astrospark.com. Report bugs and request features at our issue tracker.

The most basic cutout. Least expensive to cut. Does not allow switches to be opened to change springs, etc. Perfectly fine choice if you have no interest in customizing your switches.

This cutout has extra space on the sides of the switch to allow it to be opened without desoldering and removing it from the plate.

The most complex cutout, and the most expensive to cut. It removes the minimum amount of material needed to allow the switch to be opened. Little if any benefit over the 'side notches' cutout.

Accomodates stabilizers made by Cherry.

Accomodates stabilizers made by Costar.

Accomodates both Cherry and Costar stabilizers.

The border width is how far the plate will extend beyond the edge of the keycaps. A border of zero will result in the plate being flush with the caps.

Kerf is the width of material that the laser removes as it cuts (like the width of a saw blade). If you enter a kerf value, the drawing will be automatically adjusted to account for the width you provide. The value should be the total width removed on both sides of the center line.

Industrial laser cutters usually adjust for kerf automatically, and you shouldn't enter a value here. Check with your laser cutter operator to find out if you need to account for kerf.

Grid spacing is the distance between key switches measured center-to-center. Traditionally, switches are spaced 19.05mm apart, but 19mm works just as well. This setting needs to match the spacing on your PCB (if you are using a PCB) to ensure they are aligned.

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Keyboard CAD Assistant

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