12/7/2025 1 AM - oh...

I kind of forgot that this existed... anyways I'm working on a mod based around the framework 13 ecosystem that will allow for better ergonomics while still being a "laptop".

Firstly, inspired by the pineapple60 project, I wanted to tackle the keyboard portion since thats what I'm good at doing already. I was originally thinking of using the pre-existing keyboard connectors on the laptop, but that would limit what I could do with the keyboard without modifiying the EC firmware. So, I had to think of a different approach. Looking through the pinouts of the framework, I noticed that the fingerprint sensor had a usb interface. Thats when I thought of using a 2-port USB hub chip to still allow functionality for the fingerprint sensor but also use the keyboard. So, I took apart my laptop to figure out a rough shape for the pcb that I would need. After looking for a suitable usb hub chip, I threw together a schematic and flex pcb design. I also had my schematic sanity checked by other people in the 1BitSquared Discord server. The most difficult part of this was finding footprints of the connectors and the more complex portion of circuitry like capacitance. I got the pcb manufactured but have yet to put it together to test.

Finally, I could do the keyboard portion. I wanted it to be able to mount into the pre-existing framework chassis but with a custom top-cover. I used the good ol' rp2040 microprocessor for the board. I also opted to use pads to solder wires to since I wanted the board to be able to be used standalone from this project. After that, following a simple guide on how to wire up the rp2040 to be used (was by Noah Kiser), I got the keyboard done. The most difficult part was probably exposing all the unused gpio pins. I was going to get this manufactured but then saw the price and decided to pause on the keyboard portion for now.

But its not over yet, I had to find a way to make the screen extendable. I wanted to use a long eDP cable but those don't really exist nor did I want to make one. So, I opted to use normal DisplayPort... until I found out it couldn't carry the power for the backlight. I tried to think of a way to carry it all in one package until I got lazy and just opted for a xt30 connector (hey I could say its just a proof-of-concept). The hardest part was probaby just finding out how DisplayPort worked and what was needed to be done. I got the adapters finished though. A major help from this portion was probably Byron's anyon_e laptop motherboard pcb and Arya's friendp as they helped me see how a functional eDP/DP routing would look like.

I don't know if this will get approved, but whatever, might aswell try I guess.

12/7/2025 4 PM - Clean up and fix schematics. Begin working on input cover.

After looking over the schematics from my previous post, I noticed that there was an error with the USB hub pcb where I stated the capacitance as 33pF, despite the calculated was 27pF. I updated that. I have also finalized the adapter boards, so I cleaned up the schematic so they were more readable.

After that, I began working on the CAD for the input cover mod that I wanted to do (though I plan to make a full custom chassis for this). So, I based it off of framework's cad model which unfortunately doesn't have any mounting points... luckily I have a framework 13 on hand and a pair of calipers. After a bit (maybe an understatement) of measuring, I was able to get a rough outline of the input cover. I'll probably print the model in parts to test fit the fingerprint sensor and mousepad, the screw holes look too big though.

12/16/2025 - Redo USB Hub PCB

Well... I tried to get my friend (sharkingstudios) to solder on the components, which didn't go very well. I also tried doing it myself, which was a bit better but had some bridging pins. So I decided to redo the pcb with handsolder-friendly components and use a hotplate/heatgun for the more less forgiving components like the I.C. for the USB hub and the kyocera connector used. I may end up using a different I.C., though, I want the board to be beginner friendly as possible.

My Friend's attempt (shartingstudios):

My attempt:

12/29/2025 4 PM - Testing the existing hub

So, I decided to test out my existing usb hub design to see if it works. After doing a shoddy job at soldering a usb-c receptacle to the pads, I tested it... and it works! Though, I did have to tape it down so the usb cable wouldn't rip the flex.

Here is what it ended up looking like:

Video of me testing it with my keyboard.

Some design new considerations would be spacing out the pads and making them larger. And with that, I updated the new design with this in mind.

12/29/2025 11 PM - New USB hub I.C.

I found a USB hub i.c. (SL2.1A) that would probably work for this project. I 3d printed the CAD model and glued it on an extra flex pcb I had to test its fitment and see if it interfered with the trackpad's functionality. I won't be using this one in my final build, however, since I already have the i.c. from the previous revision. One perk is that it has 2 more usb connections, though I don't know how one would use that.

1/25/2026 1 PM - chassis base plate

I have began CAD-ing my project. I have never done assemblies (in Autodesk Inventor atleast) before so this is really difficult lol. I'm dreading this part of the project the most. Hopefully I can figure it out.

1/25/2026 4 PM - onshape

I gave up trying to learn how to use AutoDesk Inventor and decided to just use onshape. Onshape would also allow me to work on the cad while I'm not at my pc and doesn't bloat up my git repo.

1/25/2026 8 PM - that was a good idea

So switching to onshape was a really good idea. Even when starting from scratch, I was able to get back to where I had left off and was even able to get a bit further too. Also, it took me subtantially less time compared to trying to figure how Inventor works.

1/26/2026 6 PM - chassis + input cover done

After a full day of doing CAD, I've finished the full chassis CAD and the input cover CAD. Now I just need to figure out how to do the hinge for the screen and do the screen portion of the CAD... which may be easier said than done.

1/26/2026 9 PM - top screen CAD-ed

I was able to get what I was thinking for how I wanted the screen to be in general, now it's just time to figure out how to do the hinge for this thing. I'm thinking of copying Evan and Katelyn's ergonomic laptop hinge design (which this project was inspired by anyways).

1/28/2026 12 AM - hinge...

So I was able to get a working hinge design... but I don't really like it. It looks janky and kind of messes with my cad more than I would like. Idk what to do, should I just go for a off the shelf design or figure something else out. I guess we'll see.

1/28/2026 7 PM - yippie!!!

Fortunately, I was able to find a hinge design I'm somewhat happy with. I was also able to get the tolerances right and barely get the chassis to fit on a 350mm x 350mm size. I'm pleasantly surprised how quickly I was able to get this done.

Onshape Link

1/29/2026 - i lied...

So it turns out I wasn't fully finished with the CAD. However, fortunately, it was just a couple of things to fix and add. Now it's just time to figure out how to use blender and make some renders for this lol.

3/10/2026 - bomb

Ughghghghhh, I finally did the bom for the project. I don't like doing bom, bomb very annoying. bad bad annoying. Took me way to long to do it lol. But time to fix up my readme and maybe do renders, idk about renders though lol.

3/11/2026 - done done done!!!

bit the bullet and just decided to finish the rest. didn't take too long but the materials are obviously aren't the right ones. whatever, they look good enough lol. did the readme too.