Is M01 open source hardware?

Hello. I do not seem to see it mentioned whether the (internal) hardware of the M01 is open-source, as in there is a set of PCB layout and other required files which others can use/adapt to build their own simple M01-like keyboards able to use Kaleidoscope, especially without RGB leds, simple single-profile keycards or such? I am thinking like a college project or such…

I note that here @jesse has said:

Indeed, we’re still running behind. And we didn’t want to publish the design before we’d actually shipped preorders.

Kaia and I agree that we will publish the electrical design for the Model 01 in the near future. We’ve never published the electrical design for a keyboard before and want to make sure we know what we’re doing with the licensing before we do something irreversible.

It’s worth noting that “Open Source Hardware” is usually used to refer to https://www.oshwa.org/definition/ and that hardware can be opensource without being Open Source Hardware.

It’s also worth noting that if you’re thinking of building a keyboard similar to the Model 01 without the LEDs and with MX style switches, you’re going to end up redoing so much of the layout that it’s probably almost just as easy to start from scratch. Also, if you’re making a one-off to hand-assemble, you probably won’t want to use the fiddly USB C connectors, the specific RJ45 jacks, the I2C differential transceivers, and some of the other weird stuff we use for the shipping product.

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Thank you for that most practical piece of advice! Frankly I don’t know much about hardware hacking. I was more like thinking of convincing an engineer friend of mine to take up a project and collecting info as my homework. :smiling_face:

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Hi @jesse, was just wondering if you decided to post the PCB design/layout publicly or not. I desoldered the keys and replaced them with a different set but in the process messed up somewhere. It would be nice to see the PCB design to help me troubleshoot. No worries if not, just thought I’d ask. Thanks again for making the best keyboard out there :slight_smile:

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Would you also be able to share a file for the casing? I have access to a laser cutter and would like to cut my own casing.

I could always take it apart and trace it if necessary.

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I think you can find what you are looking for in this thread Enclosure specs and Lasers

Also I got the outline of the bottom for the keyboard by sending a mail to help@keyboard.io

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Jason: Sorry for the delay in my reply. We don’t publish the full layout drawings, but drop us mail at help@keyboard.io with a note about what part of the board’s busted and I can get you the detail you need.

@jesse, thanks for the response.

The problem is that my palm key on the left doesn’t seem to be registering. I replaced the switch by desoldering the old switch and soldering on a new one (knowing that this would void the warranty, but I have experience soldering, so no worries there). However, even with a new switch, I cannot get the left palm to register. Now it’s completely possible that my soldering job could be the problem, but I’m not sure of a great way to troubleshoot if it is the switch or something else that is causing the issue.

Any suggestions on how I might go about figuring this out? Thank for any suggestions you have!

P.S. The The Keyboardio Atreus looks amazing! I’ll definitely be picking one of those up as well. Keep up the great work! I love your keyboards!