Tung Pham
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A 3D-printed ergonomic split keyboard

Dactyl Manuform Keyboard

A hand-built, 3D-printed ergonomic keyboard — from printing and painting the case to wiring the matrix, modding switches, and assembling the final board.

  • Hardware
  • 3D Printing
  • Ergonomics
  • Soldering
Dactyl Manuform Keyboard

Overview

A personal build of the Dactyl Manuform — a 3D-printed, sculpted, split ergonomic keyboard. The build spanned the full hardware pipeline.

Build steps

  1. Parts — sourcing switches, controllers, diodes, and keycaps.
  2. 3D printing — printing the sculpted case halves.
  3. Painting — finishing the printed parts.
  4. Circuit matrix — laying out the key matrix.
  5. Soldering — wiring diodes and switches to the controller.
  6. Switch modding — lubing and tuning switches.
  7. Assembly — putting it all together.
  8. Final product — flashing firmware and typing on it.

Start date: January 2021 · Status: Completed