A Bluetooth Powered 48-Key Split Keyboard
A keyboard designed to physically split apart - because productivity and aesthetics shouldn't stay connected.
Fracture is a wireless 48-key split mechanical keyboard built around modularity, portability, and aesthetics.
Unlike traditional keyboards, Fracture is designed to literally seperate into two halves, giving users a more ergonomic typing expereience while creating a visually unique "fractured" appearance.
Built using the Seed Studio XIAO nRF52840, Kailh Choc Switches, and low-profile keycaps, Fracture blends minimalism with functionaly in a compact wireless setup.
Most keyboards are designed around a fixed layout.
Fracture was built around a different idea:
What if keyboard itself reflected flexibility?
The split design is inspired from Corne keyboards:
- Better ergonomics
- Adjustable positioning
- Cleaner desk setups
- Compact portability
- A visually striking design language
The project also explores how industrial design and hardware aesthetics can coexist with practicality.
Navigate to:
PCB/Production/Upload the included Gerber files to your preferred PCB manufacturer and order the PCB.
All required components and purchase links are available inside: (India)
PCB/BOM/BOM.csvOrder all listed parts before starting assembly
Start by soldering first few SMD components on the PCB:
- Diodes are on the front
- MCU pads are on the back
It is recommended to use:
- Flux
- Dine-tip soldering iron
- Tweezers
-
Solder all Kailh hot-swap sockets onto the PCB carefully.
-
Ensure every socket sits completely flat agains the PCB before soldering.
-
Solder the EC11 rotary encoders in their designated positions.
-
Make sure they are aligned staright before fully soldering.
- Now the XIAO nRF52840 (or any other if changed) controllers onto the PCB.
- Print the 3D enclosure, and inert the PCB by aligning its M3 screw holes with the joints.
-
Insert all Kailh Choc switches into the plate and hot-swap sockets.
-
Check alignment carefully to avoid bent pins.
- Press the keycaps firmly onto the switches,
While the keyboard is unplugged:
- Short the
BOOTandGNDpads using tweezers or screwdriver - Plug in the USB cable
or
- Double press the reset button on the XIAO nRF52840
A new drive should appear on your computer
Naviagte to:
Firmware/and download adafruit-circuitpython-Seeed_XIAO_nRF52840_Sense-en_US-10.2.1.uf2 or compile the files in Firmware/Config file if ZMK is to be used.
Drag and drop the uf2 file onto the mounted drive.
Repeat for the second half as well..
| Designator | Function | Value | Footprint | Quantity | Price (INR) | Price (USD) | Amount | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCB | Main PCB | 1 | ₹3,969.00 | $40.71 | $40.71 | https://www.pcbpower.com/page/PCBDetails/UXVvdGF0aW9ucw==/SU5RNjAzNTY0/ | ||
| Keycaps u1 1 | Slim Keycaps | Chocfox CFX Choc Blank Keycaps u1 | SW_choc_v1_HS_CPG135001S30_1u | 40 | ₹35.00 | $0.36 | $14.36 | https://neomacro.in/products/chocfox-cfx-choc-blank-keycaps |
| Keycaps u1 2 | Slim Keycaps | Chocfox CFX Choc Blank Keycaps u1 | SW_choc_v1_HS_CPG135001S30_1u | 4 | ₹35.00 | $0.36 | $1.44 | https://neomacro.in/products/chocfox-cfx-choc-blank-keycaps?variant=48049351590166 |
| Keycaps u1.25 | Slim Keycaps | Chocfox CFX Choc Blank Keycaps u1.25 | SW_choc_v1_HS_CPG135001S30_1.25u | 2 | ₹55.00 | $0.56 | $1.13 | https://neomacro.in/products/chocfox-cfx-choc-blank-keycaps?variant=48049351622934 |
| Keycaps u1.5 | Slim Keycaps | Chocfox CFX Choc Blank Keycaps u1.5 | SW_choc_v1_HS_CPG135001S30_1.5u | 2 | ₹55.00 | $0.56 | $1.13 | https://neomacro.in/products/chocfox-cfx-choc-blank-keycaps?variant=48049351655702 |
| Enclosure | Print Legion | 1 | ₹400.00 | $4.10 | $4.10 | https://printlegion.hackclub.com/ | ||
| D35, D36, D37, D38, D39, D40, D41, D42, D43, D44, D45, D46, D47, D48, D49, D50, D51, D52, D53, D54, D55, D56, D57, D58, D59, D60, D61, D62, D63, D64, D65, D66, D67, D68, D69, D70, D71, D72, D73, D74, D75, D76, D77, D78, D80, D81, D82, D83 | Diodes | 1N4148W | D_SOD-123 | 48 | ₹0.70 | $0.01 | $0.34 | https://robu.in/product/1n4148w-sod-123-1206-diodereel-of-3000/ |
| SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW13, SW14, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18, SW19, SW20, SW21, SW22, SW23, SW24, SW26, SW29, SW30, SW31, SW33, SW34, SW36, SW37, SW38, SW39, SW40, SW41, SW42, SW43, SW44, SW45, SW46, SW47, SW48, SW49, SW25, SW32, SW27, SW28 | Keys | Kailh Choc u1 | SW_choc_v1_HS_CPG135001S30 | 44 | ₹54.55 | $0.56 | $24.62 | https://neomacro.in/products/kailh-choc-v1-switches |
| SW35, SW50 | Rotary Encoders | EC11 | RotaryEncoder_Alps_EC11E_Vertical_H20mm | 2 | ₹42.00 | $0.43 | $0.86 | https://www.flyrobo.in/ec11-rotary-encoder-half-shaft-handle-potentiometer-15mm?tracking=ads&srsltid=AfmBOorjqwhfobDZ2HP5h3FZMTYz27RTBOT3YmNnFShFGbmHEdoPsKBgEZggEZg |
| U1, U2 | MCU | XIAO nRF52840 | modified-XIAO-nRF52840-SMD | 2 | ₹1,152.00 | $11.82 | $23.63 | https://robu.in/product/seeed-studio-xiao-ble-nrf52840/ |
| SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW13, SW14, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18, SW19, SW20, SW21, SW22, SW23, SW24, SW26, SW29, SW30, SW31, SW33, SW34, SW36, SW37, SW38, SW39, SW40, SW41, SW42, SW43, SW44, SW45, SW46, SW47, SW48, SW49 | Hot-swap Sockets | Kailh HS choc v1 | SW_choc_v1_HS_CPG135001S30 | 48 | ₹14.00 | $0.14 | $6.89 | https://neomacro.in/products/kailh-choc-pg1350-hot-swap-sockets?variant=48049369907478 |
| TOTAL | $119.21 |
- Physically Splits Into Two Halves
- Bluetooth Powered
- 48-Key Layout
- Rotary Encoders
- Low Profile Kailh Choc Switches
- Kailh Hot-Swap Sockets
- Powered by XIAO nRF52840
- Custom Themed Enclosure
- Slim Keycaps
- Portable & Lightweigthigth
- Fully Custom PCB
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| MCU | Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 |
| Switches | Kailh Choc Low Profile |
| Sockets | Kailh Hot Swap Sockets |
| Layout | 48-key Split |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Encoders | Rotary Encoders (360 Degree Rotary Encoder EC16) |
| Keycaps | Slim Low-Profile Keycaps |
| PCB | Custom Designes |
| Case | Themed Fracture Enclosure |
The PCB was custom designed specifically for the Fracture layout and enclosure.
Features include:
- Wireless microcontroller support
- Rotary encoder integration
- Kailh hot-swap compatibility
- Compact routing for slip profile construction
The enclosure follows the central "fracture" design language:
- Broken center seam
- Aggresive angular styling
- Compact low-profile body
- Seamless split mechanism
The goal was to make the keyboard feel more like a designed object rather than just a perpheral.
Firmware features:
- Bluetooth support
- Custom keymaps
- Layer switching
- Encoder controls
Fracture/
├── PCB/
├── CAD/
├── Firmware/
├── Assets/
└── README.mdME.md- Inital Concept
- Layout Finalized
- Enclosure Prototype
- PCB design
- Firmware
- Final Build
- Firmware Optimization
Contributions, suggestions, and feedback are welcome.
If you'd like to improve Fracture:
- Fork or Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/Sudo-Aju/Fracture.git
cd Fracture- Create your feature branch (if forked)
- Commit your changes
- Open a pull request
17 • India • @fallout
Built with a love for:
- hardware design
- industrial aesthetics
- mechanical keyboards
- expirimental products
This project is licensed under the MIT License.
