Open Hardware Files: Anthracite Brings MIDI Control to Analog Fuzz

A fuzz pedal is a good excuse to explore the boundary between analog sound and digital control. Anthracite from Trope, designed by Hayata Yamamoto, keeps its audio path analog while an STM32 handles switching and MIDI control. Its newly packaged v1.1.0 engineering release gives curious builders editable schematics and board layouts rather than just a set of manufacturing files.

Anthracite project photograph, © 2026 Hayata Yamamoto (山本回路設計). Source, CC BY-SA 4.0, as declared in REUSE.toml. Original image unchanged; resized display copies retain that license. This is a project photograph, not a render; the hardware revision pictured is unspecified.

Analog fuzz, with a digital control layer

Anthracite combines familiar hands-on controls with MIDI-controlled bypass and input loading. The interesting engineering question is how the control circuitry can change the pedal’s behavior without turning the audio processing into a software effect. The source files make that division available to inspect, from the analog circuitry to the microcontroller and switching interfaces.

What changed in v1.1?

The v1.1.0 release was published on November 12, 2026 at 18:21 Pacific time, and is included in our November 13 engineering-file selection. This is an update to an existing project, not its first launch. The revision includes an input soft-start, JFET gate-resistor changes, and changes to op-amp and tone-circuit components. The MIDI OUT driver changes to a 74HCT04-based circuit, addressing the storage-delay issue described for the earlier transistor driver.

Version matching matters: hardware v1.1 requires firmware v1.1, not the earlier v1.0 firmware. The footswitch board intentionally remains at v1.0 within this release.

Files you can actually edit

The official KiCad release ZIP contains editable KiCad 10 projects. The top, bottom, and footswitch boards include both schematic and PCB source; the panel has PCB source only. The top and bottom boards use four copper layers, while the footswitch board uses two. You can also browse the fixed-revision hardware directory before downloading.

The hardware and enclosure designs are licensed CERN-OHL-S-2.0. Included library derivatives have their own KiCad-related licensing notices, and the firmware has separate licensing; consult the repository’s REUSE declarations rather than applying one license to every file.

Worth studying before building

The project is presented as a finished pedal as well as an open design, but an editable release is not a guarantee that a new build will work first time. We inspected the engineering package and licensing; we have not assembled, powered, measured, or listened to this revision. Check component availability, the revision notes, and the matching firmware before ordering boards. For anyone exploring MIDI-controlled analog effects, that combination of circuit design and documented revisions makes Anthracite a useful project to study.

source https://blog.tindie.com/2026/11/open-hardware-files-anthracite-brings-midi-control-to-analog-fuzz/

Find Parts, Explore Designs, Plan Your PCB: Three New Tools on Tindie

Meet Components, Open hardware and PCB planner—new ways to investigate an idea and take your next hardware project a little further.

Every hardware project comes with questions. Which version of this chip should I use? How have other makers built something similar? Will the connectors and components fit on the board I have in mind?

We’ve added three tools to Tindie Resources to help you work through those questions: Components, Open hardware and PCB planner. You can explore them in your browser without creating an account.

Whether you’re buying a board for your next experiment, learning from an open hardware project or developing something to sell on Tindie, here’s where to start.

Components: From a part number to a better understanding

A part number is a useful starting point. Components brings together specifications, datasheets, manufacturer links and available CAD information so you can investigate the part behind that number. Where available, you can preview its schematic symbol, PCB footprint and 3D model, then find open hardware or reference designs that use it.

Try it: Open Components and enter a manufacturer part number, such as STM32F103C8T6 or LM358. Select a result, check its package and specifications, and open the datasheet. Follow the related designs to see the part in context, or choose Add to PCB planner to start exploring placement.

For buyers, this can help explain the components mentioned in a product listing or suggest what to investigate before connecting a new board to an existing project. For sellers, it offers a convenient starting point for researching parts for a new design or revision.

Keep in mind: Coverage varies. Some records have detailed CAD assets; others have only basic information. Similar part numbers can have different pinouts, packages or operating limits. Check the exact variant against the manufacturer’s datasheet, and verify any symbol or footprint before using it in a design. Related search results are not guaranteed substitutes.

Open hardware: Learn from real designs

Sometimes the most useful answer is another engineer’s working example. Open hardware brings together open-source projects and manufacturers’ reference designs, with ways to browse by circuit module or search by component part number.

For supported projects with the necessary files, you can inspect the schematic, PCB, 3D view and bill of materials (BOM). The interactive BOM, or iBOM, helps connect the parts list to the board itself. You can also open your own supported design files or import a public project from GitHub.

Try it: Choose Open hardware, search for a component or browse Circuit modules, and open a design. Switch between the available views to understand how the circuit and physical board relate. To investigate a project you already know, use Import from GitHub, or select Open your files for local design files. Check the original source for documentation and licensing information.

Buyers can use this to learn how a circuit works and explore ideas for adapting or extending their hardware. Sellers can study useful design approaches and check how their own supported project files appear in the viewer before sharing them with others.

Keep in mind: Preview support depends on the file format, version and completeness of the project. Missing libraries or 3D assets can leave gaps, and some files may not render correctly. A successful preview does not verify that the circuit works. Also, access to a project’s files does not automatically grant permission to reuse them in a commercial product; check the project’s license and terms.

PCB planner: Make room for your idea

Before committing to detailed board design, it helps to answer a simpler question: how much room will everything need?

PCB planner is a manual placement workspace for arranging footprints, exploring board dimensions and checking spacing. You can move and rotate components, switch between 2D, 2D + 3D and 3D views, and use placement checks to help avoid overlaps and components extending beyond the board. The accompanying BOM tools let you review the placed parts and build an initial component-cost estimate.

Try it: Open PCB planner, set your board dimensions and add suitable footprints from the library—or bring a part over from Components. Arrange the larger parts and connectors first, then adjust the smaller components and clearance. Use Save layout to keep an editable copy, and Export KiCad when you’re ready to continue in KiCad.

For buyers and hobbyists, this is a way to sketch out an adapter or companion board. For sellers, it can help explore the physical layout of a new product before investing time in detailed PCB work.

Keep in mind: This is placement planning. It does not complete the electrical design or route the board, and the KiCad export contains no routed copper. Generic footprints and available 3D models need checking. Finish the schematic, connectivity, routing and engineering checks in your design tools before manufacturing.

Supplier prices, when available, are estimates rather than quotes. You can enter unit prices manually, and missing prices, tax and shipping are excluded from the displayed component total.

Give them a try—and help shape what comes next

You can use each tool on its own, or follow an idea through all three: investigate a component, study a design that uses it, then explore a possible board layout.

We’d love to hear how they work for you. Did you find the part or reference design you needed? Did a file fail to open, a model look wrong or a step feel confusing? What would make these tools more useful for your next build—or your next Tindie product?

When reporting a problem, a public project link or part number, your browser and a short description of what you expected will help us reproduce it. Please leave private design files and sensitive information out of public feedback.

Explore the new tools on Tindie Resources and let us know what you’re building. Your feedback will help us decide what to improve next.

Illustrations show the tools’ intended uses; they are not interface screenshots or buildable circuit designs.

source https://blog.tindie.com/2026/11/find-parts-explore-designs-plan-your-pcb-three-new-tools-on-tindie/

Open Hardware Files: LED Cubes, an AVR Board, and BuildBeacon

Open hardware notes for November 11, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles).

A light sculpture, a teaching board, and a set of build-status tiles make an interesting trio to explore in KiCad. All three published editable hardware files on November 11. Each offers a different starting point for a maker: multiplexed LEDs, a familiar AVR with useful peripherals, or a physical display for software projects.

These are source-code and engineering-file discoveries, not tested product recommendations or claims that the projects are available on Tindie. We inspected the files and hardware licenses; we have not built the boards, run their firmware, or independently repeated ERC/DRC checks.

LED Cube: two sizes, complete KiCad projects

Image: simplified rendering adapted from navoff’s 4×4×4 PCB source, commit 3cd99ef; CERN-OHL-P-2.0. Not a photograph. Copper paths and pads are shown; silkscreen, copper zones, drill detail and component bodies are omitted.

navoff’s LED Cube repository contains 4×4×4 and 8×8×8 designs using STM32F303 and STM32F407 microcontrollers respectively. The firmware scans the cube one plane at a time and includes a fading snake animation. USB supplies power only; its data lines are not connected.

The initial public commit is dated November 11, although the drawing dates are November 10. Both designs include KiCad 10 schematics, two-layer PCBs, project files, and a shared custom library. The hardware is licensed under CERN-OHL-P-2.0, separately from the firmware.

The author reports passing electrical and design-rule checks. We have not reproduced that result or established physical validation. Before fabrication, check the board stack-up: both PCB files specify a thickness of 0.41116 mm. This is a useful design to study, but manufacturing settings and electrical limits still deserve your own review.

Project introduction · Editable engineering files and library

An ATmega328PB board for learning with real peripherals

Image: simplified rendering adapted from the PCB by Burak Kaan Böyük, © 2026, commit abdf3b0; CERN-OHL-P-2.0. Not a photograph; layers and details omitted as described above.

Gömülü Sistemler Kartı brings a 16 MHz ATmega328PB together with optocoupler inputs, a relay, fan control, a TMP1075 temperature sensor, and I²C/SPI connections. It gives students several kinds of inputs and outputs to investigate on one board.

The hardware was added on November 11, with a same-day correction replacing a mismatched 12 V relay with a 5 V HJR-3FF. The links below point to that corrected snapshot. It contains a KiCad 10 schematic, routed two-layer PCB, project file, and BOM, with CERN-OHL-P-2.0 explicitly covering the hardware.

We have not established fabrication or bench-test results. The presence of a relay does not make this a mains-safe design: the author calls for checking voltage ratings and insulation spacing before any mains application. Keep early experimentation low voltage.

Project introduction · Corrected editable engineering files

BuildBeacon: bring your build status off the screen

Image: simplified rendering adapted from devcafeine’s BuildBeacon master PCB, commit 347a1bb; CERN-OHL-P-2.0. Not a photograph; layers and details omitted as described above.

BuildBeacon uses an ESP32-C3 SuperMini, WLED, and WS2812B lighting to make modular hexagonal status tiles for GitHub Actions projects. It is an appealing example of turning an everyday software signal into a piece of physical workshop hardware.

The hardware files arrived on November 11, followed that afternoon by the v1.2 PCB update. The verified download contains two editable, two-layer PCBs in KiCad 8 format. No editable schematic was found, so this is a PCB-only release rather than a complete schematic-and-board project. The hardware has its own CERN-OHL-P-2.0 license.

The author says the PCBs have been ordered but not yet validated. Fill the copper zones and run DRC before generating fabrication files; filled copper polygons are not saved in the inspected boards. One important power warning also remains: do not connect USB and external 5 V power simultaneously.

Hardware guide · Editable PCB files

Start with the files, then check the assumptions

These projects are useful because you can inspect and adapt the actual design sources. Download the linked project directories, keep the accompanying libraries and license notices, and review the component ratings, supply connections, and manufacturing settings before ordering boards. The directory links allow individual-file downloads; a complete official ZIP package was not verified.

Source snapshots checked November 11, 2026. All illustrations were newly rendered from the linked, permission-licensed PCB sources for this article; they are simplified explanatory views, not fabrication previews or proof of a working board. No project photographs were reused.

source https://blog.tindie.com/2026/11/open-hardware-files-led-cubes-an-avr-board-and-buildbeacon/

Open Hardware Files: A Mesh Node, Robot Power, and a Zigbee Lamp

Open hardware notes for November 12, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles).

A pocket radio node, a robot-arm power board, and a Zigbee lamp controller all gained publicly available design files today. Each offers editable schematics and a PCB layout, but all three are still unbuilt designs. They are useful starting points for studying an approach, checking the decisions, and planning experiments rather than ordering an established, tested product.

LM20MeshNode: a compact LoRa and GNSS design

CValdesS’s LM20MeshNode combines a Nordic nRF54LM20A module, an SX1262-based LoRa module, GNSS, an OLED interface, and single-cell battery management. The project is aimed at a pocket Meshtastic node with Bluetooth connectivity.

Illustration: simplified PCB-source rendering prepared for Tindie, not a product photograph. Design © 2026 CValdesS, CERN-OHL-S-2.0. Source PCB · License. Copper paths and pads are shown without copper fills, silkscreen or component bodies; this is not a fabrication view.

The engineering files were first published on November 12. The KiCad 10 project directory contains the main schematic, five sub-sheets, a four-layer PCB, and project libraries. Hardware is explicitly licensed under CERN-OHL-S-2.0.

The important limitation is firmware readiness: the author says the board has not been manufactured or tested, and there is no Meshtastic firmware variant for it yet. Some external 3D models are also absent. For a maker interested in integrated radio and GNSS hardware, the value today is the editable design and its power and interface decisions, not a promise of a working mesh node out of the box.

VLA Arm Power Board: managing energy returned by motors

The VLA Arm Power Board tackles a practical robot-building problem: a bench supply can deliver energy to motors, but may not absorb energy returned during braking. This 36V design combines precharge, reverse blocking, and a brake-chopper circuit with connections for three actuators.

Illustration: simplified PCB-source rendering prepared for Tindie, not a product photograph. Design: ANGELOREYES-afk, CERN-OHL-S-2.0. Source PCB · License. Simplified paths and pads only, not a manufacturing drawing.

First publicly committed on November 12, the KiCad 8 hardware directory includes a main schematic, a precharge sub-sheet, a two-layer PCB, and custom libraries. The hardware license is CERN-OHL-S-2.0.

Revision 3 has not been built. The author reports clean ERC and DRC results, which we have not independently rerun. Motor peak current remains unmeasured, connector polarity and an orderable part suffix still need checking, and the external braking resistor and heatsinking require separate attention. Treat it as a power-electronics design to review carefully, not a validated protection module.

lamp-h2: adding Zigbee to a rechargeable lamp

citi94’s lamp-h2 is a small ESP32-H2-based controller for a rechargeable lamp. It is designed to control LED channels, retain touch or switch input, and report battery and USB status over Zigbee. Its stated approach preserves the lamp’s existing charger rather than adding a new charging circuit.

Illustration: simplified PCB-source rendering prepared for Tindie, not a product photograph. Design: citi94, CERN-OHL-S-2.0. Source PCB · Hardware license. Simplified paths and pads only; no physical board is depicted.

The project was first published on November 12 and received clearance and via revisions that day. The KiCad 10 engineering directory contains a schematic, four-layer PCB, project files, and libraries. The hardware is CERN-OHL-S-2.0; the project’s software and documentation have separate terms.

The linked snapshot is Rev G, which the author explicitly says has not been built or measured. Battery wiring, protection behavior, thermal performance, and compatibility with the particular lamp all need verification. Earlier revision files should not be substituted casually for the linked design.

Start with the source, then verify

These projects illustrate why editable engineering files are useful: they let another builder examine how a design is put together and identify what still needs testing. We inspected the published source files and license text, but did not run ERC or DRC, load firmware, or test physical hardware. Author-reported checks remain author reports.

The links above point to fixed source snapshots and engineering directories, not verified all-in-one download packages. Review CERN-OHL-S-2.0 and any separately licensed dependencies before modifying or distributing a design. The illustrations were generated from those PCB files, with simplified geometry and styling, and carry the corresponding source attribution and license; they are not evidence of manufacture, certification, or successful operation.

source https://blog.tindie.com/2026/11/open-hardware-files-a-mesh-node-robot-power-and-a-zigbee-lamp/

Open Hardware Files: Breadboard Power, MSX Video, and a Robot Interface

A power supply for the breadboard, a video cartridge for an MSX, and an interface for a small robot offer three different reasons to open KiCad. This November 10, 2026 selection brings together a newly published board and two existing designs with clarified hardware licensing.

Each project provides editable schematic and PCB sources. We have reviewed the published files and documentation, but have not built or bench-tested the hardware.

01-breadboard: two supply rails for experiments

01-breadboard power-supply render. Original design © 2019 John Winans; modifications © 2026 Muhammad Inuwa Muhammad. Project image, CERN OHL v1.2, unchanged. Render, not a photograph.

devinuwa’s 01-breadboard is a 5 V and 3.3 V breadboard power supply, adapted from John Winans’s 2019 design. Its compact, familiar purpose makes it an approachable circuit to inspect: follow the input power through the regulators and compare the schematic with the board layout.

The KiCad 9 schematic, PCB and project files were published on November 10, with CERN Open Hardware Licence v1.2 terms added the same day. The author reports no DRC violations. That is a design-rule result, not an independent check of output voltage, load capacity or thermal behaviour; we have not run DRC or measured a board.

MSX VDP Cartridge: a new route to a digital display

Core2350B rev 0.3 front-layer layout. Design: hoony9845 / MSX VDP Cartridge contributors, CERN-OHL-P-2.0. Exported from the unmodified PCB source with KiCad 9 and rasterized with Inkscape. Engineering render, not an assembled-board photograph.

hoony9845’s MSX VDP Cartridge uses an RP2350 to emulate video hardware on the MSX bus and output a DVI signal through an HDMI connector. For retrocomputing makers, the editable cartridge design offers a way to study the connection between a vintage computer bus and a modern digital display.

The Rev0.3 PCB source and accompanying schematic use KiCad 8. The PCB revision dates to October 25, while November 10 brought explicit CERN-OHL-P-2.0 hardware licensing and a clearer account of testing. The author’s test notes report real-machine validation only for the Core2350B-version PCB rev 0.3 with a Waveshare Core2350B2 module (8 MB PSRAM). Do not assume that other board and firmware combinations have the same evidence behind them.

Read the licensing notes before reusing the complete project. Its hardware licence does not remove the commercial-use restriction inherited by the V9968 core from third-party RTL, which requires prior written permission. This is not a blanket commercial-use licence for the whole hardware-and-software stack, and we have not independently tested compatibility or video output.

Maknae: an interface to understand before making a PCB

The base-interface perfboard in front of its KiCad layout. Photo © 2026 Next Year Robotics contributors, CC BY 4.0, unchanged. Project licence scope.

Next Year Robotics’ Maknae mobile robot includes a Rev B base-interface design that documents connections between the robot’s electronics. It is useful as a wiring reference when exploring a small mobile robot, particularly if you want to understand how the subsystems connect.

The editable KiCad perfboard reference and its schematic were already public before this roundup; the PCB identifies KiCad 10.0. Hardware is now under CERN-OHL-P-2.0. The licence update is dated November 10 in Korea, or November 9 in Pacific time. The robot’s November 10 Pacific updates concern LiDAR, SLAM and RViz configuration, rather than a new interface-board revision.

The author reports that some robot functions are working, but describes this design as a reference for hand-wiring on perfboard. It is not a validated production PCB. Treat the board layout as supporting documentation, not a ready-to-order manufacturing recommendation.

Start with the source, then check the build

These projects reward different kinds of curiosity: power circuitry, retro video, and robot wiring. Open the design that fits your next experiment, read its licence and build notes, and check the current upstream status before ordering parts or boards. Our review did not include running project code, independent ERC/DRC, or physical testing.

source https://blog.tindie.com/2026/11/open-hardware-files-breadboard-power-msx-video-and-a-robot-interface/

Open Hardware Files: A Solar Sensor and an AV Sync Calibrator

Two newly shared hardware designs caught our eye in the November 9, 2026 engineering-file roundup: a solar irradiance sensor for Home Assistant and a compact audio-video timing aid. Both invite inspection and experimentation, but neither is a tested, ready-to-ship product.

A solar sensor with two jobs for sunlight

CAD rendering of the proposed PV irradiance sensor enclosure. Image: WOBIK497, CERN-OHL-S-2.0. Not a photograph; the design has not yet been built.

WOBIK497’s PV-Einstrahlungssensor uses two solar cells: one to sense incoming sunlight and another to charge a supercapacitor. An nRF52832 is intended to report measurements to Home Assistant using BTHome. Separating sensing from power collection makes this an interesting design to study for low-power outdoor instrumentation.

The first source commit was published on November 9, 2026, at 22:13 UTC (14:13 Pacific). Its editable KiCad 9 engineering directory contains a PCB and project file, not an editable schematic. The hardware and project images are covered by CERN-OHL-S-2.0; the software has a separate MIT licence.

This remains an unbuilt proposal. Calibration, radio behaviour, waterproofing and overnight operation still need validation, and silkscreen DRC warnings remain. Treat the files as a starting point for review, not a demonstrated sensor specification.

A visible and audible reference for AV timing

LeeO86’s AVsync Calibrator v0.3 combines an LED flash, buzzer and light sensor to support audio-video synchronization measurements. The November 9, 2026 update introduces a CH32X035-based design with USB-C firmware updates. A small, inspectable timing accessory is an appealing companion to video and streaming experiments.

3D rendering of the AVsync calibrator v0.3 proposal. Image: LeeO86, CERN-OHL-P-2.0. Not a photograph; not ordered, built or tested.

The KiCad 9 engineering directory includes editable schematic, PCB and project files, plus custom symbols and footprints. Hardware is licensed under CERN-OHL-P-2.0. The author explicitly describes this revision as not ordered, built or tested; application integration is also still in progress.

Read the files before ordering boards

These are source-available opportunities to inspect and improve real circuit designs, not claims of successful manufacturing. We checked the engineering-file formats and published licensing information but did not build or bench-test either project. Follow each project’s current documentation and licence obligations before adapting or distributing a design.

source https://blog.tindie.com/2026/11/open-hardware-files-a-solar-sensor-and-an-av-sync-calibrator/

Open Hardware Files: Retro Sound, E-Paper Timing, and an STM32 Board

A pair of classic sound chips, a quiet e-paper timer, and a well-connected microcontroller board make an interesting set of designs to explore this weekend. These picks come from our November 7, 2026 open-hardware file review. Each has editable KiCad source, rather than just a PDF schematic or Gerber package.

We checked the source files and licensing, but have not built or electrically tested these boards. The links below point to the reviewed revisions so you can inspect what was available at the time.

RC2014 Turbo Sound: two sound chips for a retro bus

RC2014 Turbo Sound schematic, rasterized from the published design PDF. © 2025–2026 r0b0t1cu, CERN-OHL-P-2.0. Design illustration, not a tested build.

The RC2014 Turbo Sound project by r0b0t1cu brings dual AY/YM stereo sound to an RC2014 or RC bus system. Hardware release material published on November 7 includes the editable design, jumper information, and manufacturing files.

For a retrocomputing builder, the appeal is being able to follow the whole path from bus connections to the sound circuitry, then adapt the board to a particular system. The project includes KiCad 10 schematics and a two-layer PCB under CERN-OHL-P-2.0. Assembly photographs are available upstream, but we have not independently verified audio playback, compatibility, or manufacturing quality.

Project introduction | Editable engineering files | Hardware license

ocn-ePaper: a small timer with a visible revision trail

ocn-ePaper PCB render from the project repository. © 2026 Andy Miller, CERN-OHL-P-2.0. Not a photograph; the render’s exact hardware revision is not independently identified.

z2amiller’s ocn-ePaper combines an MSP430 and a 2.13-inch e-paper display in a magnet-controlled elapsed-time counter. Its rev 0.3 PCB and manufacturing outputs were updated on November 7 in Pacific time (November 8 UTC).

The repository contains KiCad 10 schematics and a two-layer PCB under CERN-OHL-P-2.0. There is an important documentation wrinkle: the README still describes rev 0.1 and says the board has not yet been made. Treat this as a work in progress, and check the source revision before relying on older battery or runtime claims. We have not verified power consumption or display behavior.

Project introduction | Schematic source | PCB source | Hardware license

STM32G0 development board: connectivity on one PCB

STM32G0 board top-level schematic, rasterized from the published design PDF. © 2026 Stepan Filimonov, CERN-OHL-P-2.0. Prototype design; not independently tested.

khosta77’s STM32G0 development board combines a W5500 Ethernet interface, USB-to-UART, storage, and Arduino-style expansion. November 7 changes included PCB refinements and the addition of licensing and manufacturing documentation.

The editable files use KiCad 10, with hierarchical schematics and a four-layer PCB. Original hardware is licensed under CERN-OHL-P-2.0; third-party libraries retain their own terms. The author reports passing ERC and DRC, but also states that the board has not yet been fabricated and tested. Before ordering boards, review the layer stack and impedance requirements, and finish the component sourcing details.

Project introduction | Main schematic | Schematic sheets | PCB source | Hardware license

Start with the files, then do the checks

Open design files make it easier to understand a circuit, propose a change, or plan a small run. They do not replace electrical testing, sourcing checks, or compliance work. Open the linked revision, read its license and build notes, and verify the design for your own use before manufacturing.

source https://blog.tindie.com/2026/11/open-hardware-files-retro-sound-e-paper-timing-and-an-stm32-board/

Open Hardware Files: Wired Ethernet and a Soldering Dice Kit

November 6, 2026

Small boards can open up useful opportunities for makers, from adding a wired network connection to a microcontroller to practicing soldering with an electronic dice kit. This edition looks at two recent open hardware projects with editable engineering files.

Both have publicly available KiCad schematics and PCB files. We reviewed the source files and documentation, but have not run independent electrical or design-rule checks or tested physical hardware.

UEXT-CH390: Wired Ethernet for Microcontroller Projects

UEXT-CH390 top silkscreen drawing, cropped and resized from an OLIMEX design document; not a product photograph. Design credits: Bernardo Kastrup and Dean Belfield. OLIMEX documentation, CC BY-SA 3.0. Source PDF · License.

Olimex’s UEXT-CH390 adds an SPI-connected 10/100 Mbps Ethernet interface for boards such as Raspberry Pi Pico and ESP32. The UEXT and pUEXT connectors make it a candidate for compact wired sensors and controllers, especially where wireless connectivity is inconvenient.

Olimex first uploaded the engineering files on November 4. The design includes a KiCad 10 schematic and PCB under CERN-OHL-S-2.0. The product was listed for preorder at the time of our November 6 snapshot, with availability expected November 9; that is not evidence of completed deliveries.

Before building: check your controller and firmware compatibility. The vendor’s example is not a substitute for long-term reliability testing, and we have not independently tested the board.

Read the project notes · Browse the editable engineering files

SLD-KIT-DICE: A Soldering Project That Rolls

PCB layer rendering exported from OLIMEX’s SLD-KIT-DICE Rev A design, not a photograph. Design: OLIMEX; hardware CERN-OHL-S-2.0. Source PCB · License notice.

Olimex’s SLD-KIT-DICE is a shake-operated electronic dice kit built around the CH32V003 microcontroller. It combines LEDs, a vibration sensor, a speaker and a coin-cell power supply in a small project suited to practicing assembly.

The editable schematic and PCB were first uploaded on November 5. The hardware is licensed under CERN-OHL-S-2.0. The source files are KiCad format; the inspected headers do not identify a specific KiCad application version.

Before building: review component choices and the assembly instructions. We have not run the firmware or tested its randomness or power consumption.

Read the project notes · Browse the editable engineering files

Explore Before Ordering Boards

These links lead to editable engineering directories, not a separately verified one-click archive. Keep the source and license notices with files you reuse, review the latest upstream documentation, and perform appropriate checks before manufacture.

This roundup draws on the November 6, 2026 engineering-file report, America/Los_Angeles. Dates refer to project file releases; the UEXT-CH390 media report appeared on November 6. Our review was limited to source-file and documentation inspection. We did not independently run ERC/DRC, execute project code, or test hardware.

source https://blog.tindie.com/2026/11/open-hardware-files-wired-ethernet-and-a-soldering-dice-kit/

Open Hardware Files: A Fuji75 Keyboard PCB, Drum-Machine Timing, and More

November 5, 2026

A replacement keyboard PCB, a timing modification for a vintage drum machine, a two-computer keyboard-and-mouse switch, and a USB-connected LTE modem make up this edition of our open hardware roundup. Each project provides editable schematic and PCB files, giving makers something to inspect and adapt beyond manufacturing outputs.

The Fuji75 design and DX TimeShift have new or substantially updated engineering files dated November 5. KMSwitch and Koppar LTE Modem are recent additions from the preceding week. All four are early designs: available source files should not be mistaken for a tested product.

Fuji75: A Replacement PCB for an Existing Keyboard

Fuji75 replacement PCB, shown as a source-derived 2D top view from commit 484da984c1ba. This editorial projection is not a photograph or KiCad screenshot. It shows top-layer tracks, pad and hole positions, and board cuts; copper pours, back-side routing, most silkscreen text and 3D parts are omitted. The source has not been independently validated for manufacture. PCB design: Brian Lai (blai30), CERN-OHL-P-2.0. Footprint contributors: marbastlib and the KiCad library community. Source-derived editorial projection prepared for Tindie Blog. Pinned source · License.

The Fuji75 project is a hot-swap replacement PCB for the Sakura Workshop Fuji75 keyboard. Its RP2040 controller and per-key RGB lighting are designed around the stock case, plate mount, USB daughterboard, and cable. The bottom-right modifier arrangement differs from the stock layout, so builders should check the proposed key layout before committing to a build.

The November 5 update changes the USB power-protection circuit and stabilizer spacing. The engineering files first appeared late on November 4, so this is a design update rather than a November 5 debut. The source includes KiCad 9 schematics and a two-layer PCB saved in KiCad 10; the author recommends opening the project in KiCad 10. The hardware is licensed under CERN-OHL-P-2.0.

Before building: the author has not verified the daughterboard connector pinout with a multimeter. The generated schematic and modified footprints also need review. We have not run design-rule checks or tested a physical board.

Read the project notes · Browse the editable engineering files

DX TimeShift: A Snare Delay Knob for the Oberheim DX

DX TimeShift rev A bare-board engineering render from the project repository, not a photograph of built hardware. The design targets the Oberheim DX 1721A board and had not been bench-tested on a real drum machine at this snapshot. Image: DX TimeShift project owner and contributors (sabrehagen), CERN-OHL-P-2.0. Pinned source · License.

DX TimeShift proposes a new control for the Oberheim DX drum machine: a knob that delays the snare trigger relative to the sequencer. The delay is specified in beats rather than milliseconds, so the intended timing relationship follows tempo changes. An Arduino Nano and a small add-on board handle the modification.

First publicly released on November 5, the project includes editable KiCad 9 schematics and a two-layer PCB under CERN-OHL-P-2.0. Its documentation covers the build, installation, and measurements still needed before use.

Before building: the design targets the plain DX with a 1721A main board, not the DXa. It has not been bench-tested in a real drum machine. Every ribbon-cable conductor needs a continuity check, and the Nano should be removed before USB debugging to avoid back-powering an installed, switched-off DX. Working inside vintage mains-powered equipment calls for a qualified technician. The author’s ERC/DRC claims have not been independently rerun for this roundup.

Read the project notes · Browse the editable engineering files

KMSwitch: One Keyboard and Mouse, Two Computers

KMSwitch variant B rev 1.0 front-layer PCB export, with two RP2040 chips. This is a design view, not a built-board photograph; the project says both variants are untested on physical hardware. PCB view: Kourosh Torabijafroudi / KooroshTorabi, CERN-OHL-P-2.0. Pinned source · License.

KMSwitch is designed to move a USB keyboard and mouse between two computers without installing host-side software. Two RP2040 controllers communicate through a digital isolator. The project offers both a carrier board for RP2040-Zero modules and a version built around discrete RP2040 chips, giving builders two different assembly routes.

A November 4 update added USB ESD protection and RGB indication for variant B. Both variants provide KiCad 7 schematics and two-layer PCB files; their shared libraries live in hardware/lib. The hardware and enclosure use CERN-OHL-P-2.0. This is a recent-week addition, not a new November 5 release.

Before building: neither variant has been tested on a physical board. The author warns that variant A can back-feed approximately 4.7 V into a switched-off computer through the module’s USB power connection. Check the RP2040-Zero footprint against the actual module before ordering, and treat switching and isolation behavior as design intentions awaiting hardware validation.

Read the project notes · Variant A files · Variant B files

Koppar LTE Modem: A Phone-Line Interface Over USB-C

Koppar LTE modem schematic from the pinned repository, rasterized from its published PDF. The sheet is marked Rev A, while the README calls the current design Rev B. The board had not yet been built and tested, and the USB sound-card firmware was not supplied at this snapshot. Schematic: Koppar (Koppar-AI), CERN-OHL-P-2.0. PDF-to-PNG rendering prepared for Tindie Blog. Pinned source · License.

Koppar LTE Modem combines a Quectel EC25-EUX cellular module, USB hub, and RP2040 on a four-layer board. The proposed USB-C interface brings LTE data and serial control to a computer, while the RP2040 is intended to expose call audio as a USB microphone and speaker.

First publicly released on October 31, the project provides editable KiCad schematic and PCB files under CERN-OHL-P-2.0. The author recommends KiCad 10. It joins this edition as another recent-week engineering project.

Before building: the author reports that boards are being ordered, not that a working prototype has been demonstrated. USB sound-card firmware is still to come, and VoLTE depends on the module firmware and carrier support. The README labels the design Rev B, while the inspected schematic and PCB title blocks still say Rev A; confirm the intended revision before fabrication. We have not validated the hardware or its cellular compatibility.

Read the project notes · Browse the editable engineering files

Explore the Sources Before Ordering Boards

The links above point to the fixed repository revisions reviewed for this edition. They open engineering directories, where individual files can be downloaded; they are not preverified one-click project archives. Keep project libraries and license notices with any files you use, and review upstream documentation and current changes before starting a build.

This roundup is based on the November 5 engineering-file report, with coverage through approximately 6:04 p.m. Pacific time (America/Los_Angeles). The reviewed sources included Hackaday, Hackster, CNX Software, and GitHub. Verification was limited to static inspection of editable engineering sources and documentation. No project code was executed, no independent ERC/DRC run was performed, and no physical hardware was tested.

source https://blog.tindie.com/2026/11/open-hardware-files-a-fuji75-keyboard-pcb-drum-machine-timing-and-more/

The Billow – A Synth DIY “Micro Mellotron” Bringing Cassettes “Outside The Box”

The Billow, dubbed by its creator Poetaster as a “Micro Mellotron”, shrinks the concept of the early 1960s electro-mechanical tape sampling keyboard the “Mellotron” into a portable cassette deck. Its dirty, hybrid, semi-analogue sounds and built in speaker add a percussive, stretchy, and distinctly unusual tone to electronic music and sound design.

The Billow starts life as a humble cassette player. Poetaster’s unique circuit bending process targets the cassette motor’s fine tuning, replacing its potentiometer with tactile controls. This direct control over the motor’s speed means you now have direct control over the pitch of the note, which is where things get even more interesting.

Put a recording or tape loop in, press the buttons, set the speed – and suddenly, your tape feels more like a record on a turntable. Using only five buttons, five or six selectable notes, and simple sustained playback – The Billow can handle speed shifted tape loops, FM/AM radio, and even retains its skill at playing a cassette at normal speed!

If you prefer a MIDI setup, the MIDI Billow can behave even more like the original Mellotron, allowing key presses to control playback speed and pitch. To make this possible, it adds an RP2040 Zero running CircuitPython, and an LH9110 motor controller.

Poetaster’s Tonetoys have been creating and selling their signature blue machines on Tindie for a long time, so I am pleased to see them return with another exciting product!

source https://blog.tindie.com/2026/11/the-billow-a-synth-diy-micro-mellotron-bringing-cassettes-outside-the-box/

PCBWay AI Hardware Creative Challenge

Tindie and PCBWay have teamed up to offer $2500 in prizes in the AI Hardware Creative Challenge! Simply build a working project, document your process, and enter to compete for the prize. The registration will last until January 31st, 2027 — you can check out more details at the official campaign page.

To help you get a working project going, there are forty $50 PCBWay coupons up for grabs. You can use hardware from any vendor or source, but if you use a product or project available on Tindie, you can earn up to 5 bonus points in the scoring, and if you end up listing your completed project on Tindie, we’ll help promote it by featuring it here on the blog and across our social media channels!

The grand prize is $600, second place is $300, third is $100, and special merit projects will receive $50. PCBWay are also offering a special $500 prize of PCBWay credit to the applicant they judge is the most deserving.

The official campaign page has many ideas in how you can integrate AI into your project; machine vision, robotics, smart environments, wearables, edge AI – the possibilities are as big as your imagination. An important caveat – a qualifying entry needs a demonstrable AI function connected to physical hardware. AI-assisted coding, generated documentation or a software-only page alone does not qualify.

So, get started, and let us see what you come up with!

source https://blog.tindie.com/2026/11/pcbway-ai-hardware-creative-challenge/

A Wedge Keyboard and More Open Hardware to Explore

November 3, 2026

A 48-key keyboard, a lighting controller for behavioral research, and a handheld card game make an eclectic set of schematics to open. This selection brings together three new or updated hardware projects with editable KiCad files.

There is plenty here for makers who enjoy following a circuit through to its board layout. Just keep each project’s status in view: available source files can still contain unfinished work, missing dependencies, or details that need checking before fabrication.

Seven Swords Wedge Keyboard

Seven Swords Wedge KB-P1 keyboard PCB, shown in the project’s original top-side render. This is an unbuilt, untested design. © 2026 Seven Swords Productions, CERN-OHL-P-2.0 (NOTICE).

The Seven Swords Wedge Keyboard rev P1 is an RP2040-based, 48-key ortholinear keyboard. Its first commit dates to November 3, and the available files include a KiCad 9 schematic and two-layer PCB.

For keyboard makers, the appeal is being able to inspect the design rather than working only from a finished board. The project’s notes also show why the mechanical details deserve attention alongside the circuit: the J2 SWD header must be left unpopulated to avoid interference with the enclosure.

This revision has not been fabricated or tested, according to its author. USB identifiers remain unassigned, and the repository’s design-check reports still contain warnings. Those are useful things to investigate before putting together a parts order.

The hardware is licensed under CERN-OHL-P-2.0.

Open the design: Revision P1 engineering files.

Open-BEATBox lighting controller

The Open-BEATBox ceiling-lighting PCB in the project’s original 3D render. The module drives white, red and infrared LEDs for experimental lighting. Image: Open-BEATBox Hardware contributors; repository licence CERN-OHL-S-2.0.

Open-BEATBox’s lighting board is designed to control white, red, and infrared illumination for a behavioral research apparatus. It offers a different kind of project to study if your interests run toward lighting electronics or custom laboratory equipment.

The November 3 engineering update filled in component values and footprints and corrected an LED-driver resistor. The available design uses KiCad 10, with five schematic sheets and a four-layer PCB.

One detail to watch when opening the project is its 3D model references. Some point to paths on the author’s own computer, so a complete set of 3D dependencies has not been confirmed. That matters if you want to inspect the board mechanically as well as electrically. The files were reviewed statically for the roundup; physical operation was not independently verified.

The hardware is licensed under CERN-OHL-S-2.0.

Open the design: Lighting controller engineering files.

Solitaire handheld

Solitaire’s KiCad schematic, exported from the project’s design files. The MSP430FR2355, memory-LCD interface, sixteen buttons and power circuit are shown; PCB layout remains in progress. Design © jjd408 2026, CERN-OHL-S-2.0. Rendered November 5, 2026 using KiCad 9.0.2 and Poppler; engineering source unchanged.

Solitaire is an MSP430-based handheld card-game project, first made public on November 3. Its KiCad 9 sources include both a schematic and an editable PCB draft.

The PCB is at a very early stage: it contains no routed tracks or vias. There is still board-design work ahead before this revision can be treated as a manufacturing candidate.

For anyone interested in dedicated handheld games, that makes the schematic the sensible place to start. You can explore the circuit and compare it with the developing board, while keeping the absence of routing in mind. A downloadable PCB file alone is not a reason to send this one to fabrication.

The hardware is licensed under CERN-OHL-S-2.0.

Open the design: Solitaire engineering files.

Pick a circuit to explore

These projects offer three very different starting points for a KiCad session. Choose the one closest to your interests, read its notes, and follow the design through the source files. Pay particular attention to the difference between a published schematic, a routed board, and hardware that has been built and tested.

Links are pinned to the revisions covered in the November 3, 2026 roundup, whose cutoff was 18:05 America/Los_Angeles. The engineering-directory links allow individual file downloads; no complete release package is implied. Source files were read statically for that roundup. No project code, independent ERC/DRC, or hardware tests were run.

source https://blog.tindie.com/2026/11/a-wedge-keyboard-and-more-open-hardware-to-explore/

Three Open Hardware Projects to Explore in KiCad

The best part of finding an open hardware project is being able to look beyond the photos. A schematic lets you follow the circuit, while a board file shows how the designer has made room for it.

This selection covers a compact USB board, a handheld calculator, and a security-key concept. Each gives makers something different to investigate in KiCad. All three are early designs, so read the authors’ status notes before planning a build.

IV-DCY keeps the USB hardware small

IV-DCY is a compact USB reference design built around an STM32F042. The two-layer board includes USB-C, ESD protection, a boot button for entering the chip’s USB DFU bootloader, and an SWD header. Its firmware is intended to provide a virtual serial port with simple text commands.

That narrow scope makes it an interesting design to read alongside the firmware. You can follow the USB connection through the schematic without first untangling a much larger application. Despite the name, IV-DCY contains no current-voltage measurement hardware.

The repository includes editable KiCad 9 files, plus the scripts used to generate the schematic and layout. The author reports software checks, but no board has been fabricated or tested. Real USB enumeration and compliance testing are still outstanding, and the proposed USB product ID has not been assigned.

Explore the files: KiCad schematic, PCB layout, and hardware license.

NeoCalculator puts a handheld on the drawing board

NeoCalculator Rev A combines an ESP32-S3 with a 50-key matrix, a display connector, and lithium-ion charging and power circuitry. Its two-layer board is a useful place to look at how the pieces of a handheld device fit together.

The release includes KiCad 10 schematic and PCB sources. Enclosure files are available as STL meshes, but the editable enclosure CAD sources are not included.

There is an important catch: the author explicitly asks readers to wait before ordering PCBs or printing the case. This is alpha hardware. The schematic still names an earlier USB-C connector, while the layout and bill of materials use its replacement. That mismatch is exactly the kind of detail worth resolving before sending files to a board house.

If you enjoy keypad design or the mechanical puzzle of a handheld, there is plenty to inspect here. Treat the release as a design review, with the project’s warning firmly in view.

Explore the files: KiCad schematic, PCB layout, and hardware license.

Cardea Key opens up an early security-key design

Cardea Key’s Rev A hardware draft brings together an RP2354A microcontroller, an NXP SE051C2 secure element, and connections for an external fingerprint sensor. The KiCad 10 project includes a schematic and a four-layer PCB placement draft.

The placement is only a beginning: the board has not been routed, manufactured, or validated. The author says to wait for validation of the full prototype before manufacturing it.

The firmware status deserves equal attention. It is experimental and unaudited, and secure-element support has only been tested against a simulation, not a real SE051C2. This revision is a subject for investigation, not a security device to depend on for protecting accounts.

For makers curious about how a secure element and a microcontroller are connected, the published schematic gives that discussion something concrete to work with. Keep the hardware design and the evidence for its security separate when reading it.

Explore the files: KiCad schematic, PCB placement draft, and hardware license.

Start with the source files

All three projects identify their hardware designs as CERN-OHL-S-2.0 licensed. Check each project’s licensing notes before reusing material; firmware and third-party components can have different terms.

An unfinished design can still be worth opening. Pick the project closest to something you want to understand, follow a signal through the schematic, and compare it with the board layout. You may find a useful idea, or a question that helps the next revision.

source https://blog.tindie.com/2026/11/three-open-hardware-projects-to-explore-in-kicad/

Reminder: Open Source Hardware Association Livestream!

Remember folks, this weekend (Oct 10th/11th) is the 24 hour livestream for the Open Source Hardware Association celebrating Open Hardware Month! This is also a drive to raise money for the awesome work they do. So, Saturday morning at 8AM EST (12PM UTC) the stream starts, and will run for 24 hours until Sunday morning at, of course, 8AM EST.

If you want to participate, there are still a few slots left (but act fast!) which you can get by either filling out this form, or contacting info@oshwa.org if it gets close to the start of the livestream. If you’d like to know more about the livestream, you can read our previous post on Open Hardware Month which has all the deets!

source https://blog.tindie.com/2026/10/reminder-open-source-hardware-association-livestream/

OHM: ESP32-C5 Tux Dev Board

Seeing as how it’s Open Hardware Month, I wanted to help promote some of the awesome certified open-source hardware for sale on Tindie! If you’re interested in the ESP32, it’s worth noting that there are many variations with different features, and the lesser-known ESP32-C5 is a really interesting chip. The ESP32-C5 Tux Dev Board is a great little board for getting started with it.

Featuring the ESP32-C5, which has support for dual-band WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5 LE and 802.15.4 (the standard that is the basis for Zigbee, Thread, 6LoWPAN and more) as well as a 240MHz RISC-V processor, making for a powerful wireless communications package! The Tux Dev Board also has an on-board TP4056 battery charge controller, plus the requisite RGB LED for visual feedback.

And the best part is it’s totally open hardware — certified by OSHWA as CH000029 with the hardware under CERN OHL-S, software under the GPL and documentation under CC-BY-SA! What an awesome combination. So you can support open hardware by buying one, by using the design in your own projects, or by contributing to future development. What an awesome way to build a community!

source https://blog.tindie.com/2026/10/ohm-esp32-c5-tux-dev-board/

October is Open Hardware Month!

Tindie and the Open Source Hardware Association (OSHWA) have been friends for a long time! Every year, we like to support them during Open Hardware Month. We encourage our sellers to get their projects/products certified as open hardware. The process is not difficult, and the application on their website walks you through the process! Once you’re certified, this can be highlighted on your product listing on Tindie to let people know it’s certified open hardware.

This year, OSHWA are once again doing a 24hr livestream showing off the coolest open hardware over the last year. It will be on October 10th, starting at 8AM EST and ending 24 hours later. The theme this year is “good slop” – they want to see your messy, sloppy hardware prototypes that are 100% human created. In their words: “… we are looking for your work-in-progress projects, things that are maybe a little silly, projects you have invested time into that not a ton of people will understand why, passion projects, side quests, anything that really took you down a path you didn’t expect, projects that use bioplastics, goop, mycelium, slime, or any other strangely viscous substance!”

If you’re interested in participating in the livestream, you can sign up for a 20-40 minute slot to show off your latest work(s) and talk about open hardware with the community. We encourage those who can to support the amazing work OSHWA does by getting a membership to OSHWA – they rely on members to do all the cool stuff they do every year, like the Open Hardware Summit among many other initiatives.

Throughout Open Hardware Month, we’ll be highlighting open source hardware available on Tindie. If you’ve got an awesome project that hasn’t been covered before and is certified open hardware, get in touch via our social media or email and let us know about it so we can write a blog post about it!

source https://blog.tindie.com/2026/09/october-is-open-hardware-month/

Clock Module: Homebrew SBC Tool

I’ve played around with designing my own microprocessor-based single-board computers over the years. I was inspired originally by a Z80 project done by a rather unknown YouTuber, and then was very inspired after seeing Matt Sarnoff’s Ultim809 project. I always wanted a computer with a front panel full of LEDs and switches so I could program, quite literally, by hand. When you first start these types of projects, the most difficult part can be figuring out all the logic for memory mapping and I/O control, and if you don’t have a very wide logic analyzer like an HP 1650B then you need a way to single-step the clock and probe the buses. And that’s where the Clock Module DIP comes in!

It’s a beautifully simple module, with a 16MHz crystal and a 74HC4060 oscillator/divider which outputs 11 different frequency taps, from 16MHz all the way down to 976.5625Hz. There is also the all-important debounced single-step clock button, which is a must for static CPUs that can have their clocks stopped without issue (like the Z80). The other IC is a hex inverter in case you want the opposite phase clock output — this can be very useful for some microprocessors that require multi-phase clock outputs, though some need a 90° phase offset instead of 180° that the 74HC14 gives.

The best part is it’s fully through-hole, easy to assemble, and uses a reliable and easy-to-understand circuit. There’s even an SMD option if you want a smaller board! And, if you don’t want to bother with assembly, you can order it pre-assembled too. So the next time you’re breadboarding your 6809, Z80, 6800, or 6502, pick up a Clock Module from spartatux!

source https://blog.tindie.com/2026/09/clock-module-homebrew-sbc-tool/