Glowing PCB Robot Keychain - When Electronics Meets Celebration

When I heard Instructables was turning 20, I knew I couldn’t just bring balloons. I had to bring the Robot itself. Glowing, party-ready, and small enough to carry in your pocket.

PCBs are usually hidden inside boxes, quietly doing their job. But what if the circuit itself became the decoration? What if the board didn’t just power the party, but was the party?

That’s how this glowing PCB Robot keychain was born. A tiny, pocket-sized tribute that lights up with LED eyes, doubles as a keepsake, and carries the spirit of DIY everywhere it goes. Instead of baking a cake… I baked a PCB.

Custom PCB from JLCPCB

1. Multicolour silkscreen custom PCB (robot-shaped!) - Gerber

Components

1. 2x 0603 Red LEDs - for glowing eyes!
2. 2x 0603 1kΩ resistors - chosen to balance brightness and battery life
3. CR1220 coin cell holder
4. CR1220 coin cell - ultra compact power source that still lasts hours
5. Mini slide switch MSK-12C02 - to toggle the LEDs

Tools

1. Soldering iron, flux, tweezers (or hot air if you prefer)

The very first step was giving the Robot a makeover worthy of a birthday party. I traced the iconic Instructables Robot outline into EasyEDA, then polished it with rounded corners so it would be safe to carry as a keychain. The final size came out to be about 44 x 63 mm, a sweet spot between pocket-friendly and eye-catching.

From there, I focused on the electronics. The Robot’s party trick? Two tiny 0603 LEDs for glowing eyes, each with its own 1kΩ resistor to keep brightness balanced and the CR1220 battery alive. Power sits in a slim CR1220 coin cell mounted on the back, with a tiny slide switch to let the Robot nap when it's not glowing.

To keep the board both sturdy and durable, I poured ground plane on both sides, as if the Robot had suited up a shiny party armour! For the finishing touch, I added playful silkscreen text: "Insert Coin to Party", plus a tiny "Made by Jeremy Ngai" signature at the bottom.

After finishing designing the PCB, it's time to make the Robot a reality. I uploaded the Gerber file with its multicolour configuration into JLCPCB.

When making wearable PCBs, rounded edges aren’t just aesthetic; they also make it safer to carry in your pocket.

Putting the Robot together felt almost like decorating a birthday cake. I began with the tiniest parts, carefully placing the resistors so they wouldn't get lost in the shuffle. The LEDs came next, making sure their polarity lined up so the eyes would shine brightly once powered (Anode pointing down).

With the delicate components in place, it was time for the bigger pieces. The slide switch and coin cell snapped the design into something functional, and after sliding in the battery, the Robot's eyes lit up; it literally felt like a premium keychain, both stylish and also designed to last.

A helpful trick for SMD work is to pre-tin one pad with solder, slide the component into place, then reflow. It keeps everything neat and less intimidating.

Once assembled, the Robot transformed into more than just a PCB; It became a glowing party buddy. Clip it onto your keys, let it shine on your desk, or hand it to a fellow maker as a gift. Whenever it goes, it carries the celebration of Instructables' 20 years of creativity.

And yes — it’ll glow for around 12–15 hours straight on a CR1220 before needing a “battery snack,” more than enough to outlast any birthday bash.

This project is my birthday gift to Instructables: a glowing thank-you card in PCB form. It proves that electronics don’t always have to hide behind enclosures; sometimes the board itself can be the star of the show.

The first time I slid the battery in and saw the Robot’s eyes light up, it felt like it was smiling back at me. That moment is why I love making: you turn an idea in your head into something real you can hold, share, and celebrate with.

Here’s to the next 20 years of building, tinkering, and inspiring each other; and to the Instructables Robot, the ultimate party guest.

Instructables has been the place where I learned, got inspired, and even found the courage to try things that once looked impossible. This little Robot is my thank-you note, in glowing PCB form.

Happy Birthday, Instructables!