/acheron_MXO.pretty

Acheron Project's KiCAD library for MX-compatible optical switch footprints

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Acheron MX Optical KiCAD footprint library

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Introduction

Acheron MX Optical ("MXO") is the AcheronProject's library for MX-based optical mechanical keyboard switches. These footprints have a customized middle cutout for optical switches and marks for the important geometric characteristics, allowing for fast placing of the infra-red LED and phototransistor.

How to use

  1. Clone the git repository into a libraries folder inside your KiCad project main folder, also known was ${KIPRJMOD}
  2. In PCBNEW, go into Preferences > Manage Footprint Libraries... then under the Project tab, press the plus sign and select the acheron_MXO.pretty folder.
  3. After that the library footprints should be available for addition in the PCB layout from the Add a footprint button. Click that button or press O and try adding a footprint from the library like the MXO100 footprint.

Using the footprint

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The footprint contains several geometric cues for the ansillary components needed. The example in the image is the MXO100 for the 1-unit-length switch.

  • The gray outside line is a 1u-by-1u square;
  • The blue line is the 14x14mm plate cutout (0.5mm corner radii)
  • The green line is the switch courtyard (a 13.6mm square)
  • The red lines are the slots on the bottom of the switch for the infrared and phototransistor footprints; the red crosses are the matching centroids for those footprints when using the Acheron-supplied footprints (these centroid markings may not match if using different footprints);
  • The yellow line is the PCB cutout for the switch pole-window; the yellow cross is the entire footprint's centroid;
  • Finally, the gray cross on the bottom is the centroid for the LED if one is being used.

Copyright notice

This project is released under the Acheron Open-Hardware License V1.4. For the license, please refer to the LICENCE.md file.