smallwave

The smallwave is a 34 key wireless split keyboard with a e-paper style display. This design ultimately comes from the popular Sweep layout but was built by modifying the Urchin design and inspired by many aspects of the Flipper and Corne layout.

Hardware List

Required Parts

• 1× smallwave PCB (files can be found in the gerbers folder)
• 2× nice!nano
• 2× Lipo battery
• 48× Mill-max machined pins
• 2× Pair of female headers
• 34× Kailh choc hotswap sockets
• 34× Kailh choc v1 switches
• 34× Keycaps
• 34× SMD diodes

Optional Parts

• 2x nice!view
• 12x Vinyl self adhesive pads
• 2x Magnetic type C cable
• 1x Dual port USB wall charger

Itemized Parts Receipt (v1.0 build)

Quantity	Item	Source	Cost
2	nice!nano	typeractive.xyz	$50.00
2	nice!view	typeractive.xyz	$40.00
40	SMD Diode	typeractive.xyz	$3.00
40	Kailh Hotswap Sockets	typeractive.xyz	$6.00
40	Kailh Low Profile Choc Switches (Pro Red)	typeractive.xyz	$28.00
4	MBK Choc Keycaps (1u convex)	typeractive.xyz	$2.00
2	MBK Choc Keycaps (1u homing)	typeractive.xyz	$1.00
30	MBK Choc Keycaps (1u)	typeractive.xyz	$10.50
4	Machine Sockets and Pins	typeractive.xyz	$13.00
2	Reset Button	typeractive.xyz	$1.50
2	Battery Jack (black)	typeractive.xyz	$2.00
2	Power Switch	typeractive.zyz	$1.50
2	Lithium Battery 110mAh (BLK PH 2.0mm)	typeractive.xyz	$8.00
5	smallwave PCB	jlcpcb.com	$38.93
16	Vinyl Self Adhesive Pads (round 3/8")	Ace Hardware	$4.99
2	Magnetic Type C Cable	amazon.com	$14.99
1	Anker PowerPort Mini Dual Port USB Wall Charger	amazon.com	$6.99

Design Software

KiCad

PCB design, part locations, copper traces, and pads. This was a steep learning curve for me but the software was incredible once I got the hang of it.

AutoCAD

PCB shape (edge cuts). This can be done in KiCad but I am inexperienced with the software and felt much more comfortable drawing prototype shapes in a software I am more familiar with.

Inkscape

Used for making the PCB art through the use of SVG files.

Github

Used for programming the keyboard in the ZMK language directly in the web browser. How cool is that? More on this below.

Firmware

The smallwave utilizes the ZMK programming language. To view, download, or edit the zmk programming used for this project, visit the zmk-config-smallwave repository.

Inspiration/Credits

This build was inspired by the Ferris Sweep, Ben Vallack's Flipper, and Duccio's Urchin. I started this project with zero knowledge of keyboards, PCBs, or programming but, along with browsing r/ErgoMechKeyboards the videos below were very helpful for me in getting started.

• You Won't Beleive How Effective This Keyboard Layout Is
• A Tiny, Ultra-Affordable Keyboard You Can Build Yourself!
• How to make a SWEEP KEYBOARD (beginner friendly!)
• URCHIN Ergonomic Keyboard Build
• PCB Art - A Step By Step Tutorial
• Beginner ZMK Tutorial - How to make and modify your ZMK keymap
• How to Set Up ZMK Firmware From Scratch