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BFO-9000

Parts List​

Here's a list of parts needed for the build:

BFO-9000 Kit Parts Laid Out

Build Steps​

Here's a summary of the build steps:

  1. Prepare components
  2. Solder components
    1. Solder diodes
    2. Solder I2C resistors (optional)
    3. Solder push button and TRRS jack
    4. Solder Pro Micro header pins
  3. Add switches to switch plate
  4. Solder switches
  5. Flash Pro Micros
  6. Solder Pro Micros
  7. Solder RGB strip (optional)
  8. Assemble case
  9. Insert standoffs into middle layer (optional)
  10. Screw standoffs into switch plate
  11. Attach bottom plate using screws

Rev. 1.3-1.5 PCBs​

If you've got the version of BFO-9000 PCBs with pre-soldered components (diodes, TRRS jacks, reset button, resistors), then you can skip ahead to soldering on microcontroller headers.

BFO-9000 Rev. 1.3 PCBs

Both of the TRRS jacks on each PCB of this revision are connected to each other, so you may use either jack when connecting both halves together.

Prepare components​

Bend the diodes, first technique, bend them around your finger:

Bending Diodes Around Finger

Second technique for bending diodes is to do it around a stack of plates:

Diodes Bent Around Switch Plate

Strip of diodes bent now:

Strip of Bent Diodes

Ripping off the paper holding all the resistors together. Grip the diodes tightly so they don't bend as you're ripping the paper off.

Ripping Paper Strip off Diodes

All separated from the paper, ready for insertion into PCB:

Bent Diodes Separated from Paper

Solder Components​

The diodes, resistors, push buttons, TRRS jacks, and Pro Micro header pins can be soldered in any order.

Note that the two halves of the PCBs are identical. The only difference for each half is that you will place the TRRS jacks in different locations (towards the middle of the board).

Add diodes​

On the bottom side of the PCB, insert diodes with the black line towards the bottom. Square = Black line. All of the diodes are oriented vertically on the PCB:

Diodes Inserted in PCB

Sticking the diodes on the top side of the PCB is not recommended, because you can't replace them once everything is assembled using that method.

Bend the legs out to hold the diodes in place for when you solder them in:

Diode Legs Bent Out on PCB

Solder the diodes and clip the diode legs off:

Diodes Soldered and Legs Clipped

Add I2C resistors (optional)​

Add the I2C resistors to the left PCB, orientation does not matter for resistors:

I2C Resistors Added to PCB

Add TRRS jack and reset button​

Add the reset button to the PCB:

Reset Button Added to PCB

Flip the board over and solder reset button:

Reset Button Soldered on PCB

Add the reset button to the other half and repeat:

Both Halves with Reset Buttons

Solder the TRRS jack for the left half away from the reset switch, and solder the TRRS jack for the right half next to the reset switch:

TRRS Jacks Soldered on Both PCBs

Add Pro Micro header pins​

Standard installation of Pro Micro with header pins​

Insert the header pins into both PCBs:

Header Pins Inserted in Both PCBs

Flip the PCBs over and solder:

Header Pins Soldered from Below

For Low-Profile Builds:

If you are doing a build with low-profile switches, you must do the following step to prevent the pins of the controller from shorting against each other. Otherwise, the switch plate will touch the header pins that are sticking out above the PCB.

(Optional for MX, Required for Low-Profile) Trim down header pins on top-side of PCB:

Flush Cutters Trimming Header Pin Tops

(Optional) Remove plastic on header pins so Pro Micro port is flush with PCB:

Tweezers Removing Header Pin Plastic

(Optional) Plastic all removed:

Header Pins with Plastic Removed

Don't solder on the Pro Micro yet.

Installation of Peel-A-Way sockets (optional)​

For Low-Profile Builds:

Do not install Peel-A-Way sockets for low-profile builds, as the sockets will stick out too much on the top-side of the PCB and touch the switch plate, which can cause shorts

If using Peel-A-Way sockets instead, insert strips into the PCB:

Peel-A-Way Socket Strips in PCB

Hold the strips down using tape:

Tape Holding Socket Strips Down

Flip the PCB over and solder the pins:

Peel-A-Way Sockets Soldered from Below

Soldering complete:

Peel-A-Way Socket Soldering Complete

Remove plastic covering around sockets:

Peel-A-Way Socket Covers Removed

Add switches to switch plate and solder​

Add switches into the switch plate. It's a good idea to add switches to the corners first and then solder them before installing the rest of them:

Corner Switches in Switch Plate

Add the rest of the switches:

All Switches Installed in Plate

Solder the rest of the switches:

PCB Underside with Switches Soldered

Flash Pro Micros​

Flash both of the Pro Micros before soldering them to the board to ensure that they work properly.

Solder Pro Micros​

Standard Installation​

Clip the switch pins of the switches that will be covered up by the controller, so the pin don't come in contact with the controller:

Flush Cutters Clipping Switch Pins

Add a piece of electrical tape on top of the clipped pins:

Electrical Tape Over Clipped Pins

Place Pro Micro onto the header pins:

Pro Micro Placed on Header Pins

Solder the header pins to the Pro Micro:

Pro Micro Pins Being Soldered

Clip the excess length of the pins:

Flush Cutters Trimming Pro Micro Pins

All clean, now do the same for the other half.

Pro Micro Soldered on PCB

Add tape on top of the Pro Micros to prevent them from touching the bottom plate:

Tape Added Over Pro Micro

Solder RGB strip (Optional)​

See the Adding RGB Underglow Guide:

Assemble case​

Insert the screws through the top of the switch plate and attach standoffs from the bottom side of the plate:

Standoffs Attached to Switch Plate

Put bottom plate on and add screws:

Screwdriver Adding Bottom Plate Screw

You did it!:

Completed BFO-9000 Both Halves

Firmware​

Pre-compiled VIA-enabled firmware builds can be found below, choose the file corresponding to the controller you used: