Evgenii Vilkov shared his monoblock split Molekula, a modular keyboard and framework.
KBD.news Published January 7, 2025
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The Molekula is not simply a gorgeous unibody split keyboard but also a modular framework. Designer Evgenii Vilkov aka zzeneg was inspired by Sadek Baroudi's VIK standard:
I really like modular approach in keyboards, where you can change and replace different parts, and I'm happy the community is moving into that direction. It's one of reasons why I love VIK standard so much, I made multiple VIK (display/touchpad) modules for my stront keyboard, and I'm using it for every wired keyboard since – zzeneg.
Framework
This project aims to provide components for building modular ergo keyboards by separating one main PCB into central and side parts.
Side is a dumb PCB, with key matrix only (up to 25 keys), and accepts all switch types (MX/ChocV1/ChocV2/GLP).
Central is a keyboard brain, which contains any MCU (wired/wireless/integrated) and additional hardware – encoders/touchpads/trackballs/displays/etc, while keeping its size under 100x100mm.
PCBs are interconnected with 12-pin FFC cables, and can be replaced/updated independently.
According to the author, such modular approach allows for quick, cheap and easy experimenting with different hardware, prototyping, and reusing of side PCBs.
Molekula2 features
36 keys
combined switch footprint (MX/ChocV1/ChocV2/GLP)
minY (19x16mm) spacing
unibody that can be disassembled into two parts for traveling