Device Details

Overview

The ATMakers Keyswitch is a low-cost assistive switch interface that allows a user to connect up to 5 external assistive switches with 3.5 mm plugs to a computer, tablet, smartphone, or AAC device with a USB port.  The Keyswitch sends keystrokes and/or mouse movement when the external switches are activated, and can easily be configured to change the keystrokes that are sent.

Usage

Connect one and up to 5 assistive switches to the ATMakers Keyswitch. Plug the USB cable into the computer, tablet, smartphone, or AAC device with a USB port.

Build Instructions

Bill of Materials

To assemble the mount with the switch, you will need:
1 – 3D Printed Enclosure Base (~14 g of filament, $0.40; 1hr 15m)

1 – 3D Printed Enclosure Top (~ 7 g of filament, $0.20; 0hr 25m)

10 – Breakaway Male Headers (~1.20 CAD, https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/wurth-electronics-inc/61301611121/4846854)

1 – ATMakers KeySwitch Custom PCB

5  – 3.5 mm jacks (~$1 ea, https://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/cui-inc/SJ1-3535NG/CP1-3535NG-ND/738699)

1 – Trinket M0 (~$12 CAD, https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/adafruit-industries-llc/3500/7623049; https://www.adafruit.com/product/3500 )

1 – USB Micro to USB A Cable

2 – M2.6x 8 mm or #4-40 screws

Tools

  • Soldering iron
  • Wire strippers / wire cutters
  • Screwdriver

Custom PCB

The files for the custom PCB are stored on the ATMaker Hardware Github repository (https://github.com/ATMakersOrg/ATMakers-Hardware/tree/master/KeySwitchBoard). A board will need to be ordered from a suitable PCB manufacturer.

3D Printing

Both the enclosure and the base are designed to print without support. There are two version of the top – one designed for translucent filament and one for opaque filament. The print files are available on Thingiverse (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3159609).

Assembling the KeySwitch

See the attached PDF for detailed step-by-step assembly instructions. There is also a video of the assembly process available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr9n-Ne0utA

Programming the Trinket

The instructions and code for programming the Trinket are available at the ATMaker KeySwitch repository (https://github.com/ATMakersOrg/KeySwitch).

Attribution

The ATMaker Keyswitch was designed by ATMakers. Written assembly instructions were created by Makers Making Change.