Robert Feranec creates a customized keyboard: working with JLCPCB and JLC3DP

Robert Feranec is a renowned hardware design expert. He founded FEDEVEL Academy, which helps engineers around the world learn circuit design and PCB manufacturing through online courses and educational videos. As a content creator on YouTube, Robert shares tutorials, tips and tricks for hardware design, building a large base of professionals and enthusiasts. In this video, Robert designs a custom keyboard for video editing.

As one of the world’s leading PCB manufacturers, JLCPCB is committed to providing high-quality, low-cost PCB solutions for electronic designers and engineers, maintaining a long and strong cooperative relationship with Robert Feranec. The two parties have already produced several project videos together and have engaged in in-depth exchanges at electronics trade shows.

To improve video editing efficiency in DaVinci Resolve, Robert decided to build a fully customizable keyboard from scratch, combining innovation and practicality. The keyboard features advanced capabilities such as a hot-swappable switch system, RGB lighting, a rotary encoder, and tactile feedback.

Robert used the free online tool EasyEDA to design the PCB, which was fitted with a Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller soldered directly onto the board. To accommodate more than 50 switches on the microcontroller's limited pins, Robert implemented a matrix scanning system. This efficient method allows the software to detect keys by identifying the rows and columns connected in the matrix. After finalizing the design, the PCB was manufactured by JLCPCB. Robert said, "the ordering process on the JLCPCB website is very simple and the price is affordable for both professionals and hobbyists."

Fonte: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG2Ci_xr0pM

For the keyboard body, Robert initially used his FDM 3D printer to create a prototype. However, for a more refined final version he opted for the JLC3DP’s SLA printing service. The industrial 3D printer provides a smooth, glossy surface, eliminating visible layers and improving the keyboard’s aesthetics. Later, Robert also used WJP color printing to produce the small colored keyboard body. The detailed production video can be watched at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4cLFE0FF2U

Fonte:https://x.com/robertferanec

The heart of any keyboard lies in its switches. Robert chose linear Cherry MX Red switches for their smooth, quiet operation, ensuring a seamless typing experience. He also designed his own keycaps, with customizable legends. The keyboard’s functionality is driven by QMK firmware, an open-source solution for input devices. To simplify shortcut updates, Robert used the VIA app, which lets users adjust key mapping, lighting, and macros in real time directly from the browser. That flexibility ensures the keyboard can evolve alongside his workflow.

With all the design work completed, Robert tested the custom keyboard in DaVinci Resolve, demonstrating its ability to adjust playback, zoom and execute shortcuts, while additional features like LED customization and online configuration improved usability.

Fonte: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG2Ci_xr0pM

This project demonstrates Robert’s exceptional hardware design ability and, with the support of JLCPCB and JLC3DP, he was able to turn his ideas from concept to reality.