Group Build prototyping phase

[matt3o]

How about this minor change in the mirror layout, which I quite like by the way: put the ~/` key between Esc and 1.

I realise it's not a big deal if a Teensy pilots the keyboard anyway

yeah, you can place them wherever you want

[Muirium]

The trouble with Soarer's…

More symmetry:

…is that I'd type like I was on an HHKB, and wind up being hopelessly confused!

These small layouts are getting me thinking. But what about cap set compatibility?

Anyway, I'm a touch intrigued by the notion of an entirely stab-free mini layout too.

[Soarer]

Caps - ok for blanks

[scottc]

The less stabs the better, in my opinion. Hate the fiddly little things!

[mtl]

I'm really excited to see this group-build. A lot of great ideas are coming out of it and the PCBs will take a lot of the pain out of making a custom keyboard. Though I don't think I'm ready to commit to another custom keyboard project, I've been working on some layout ideas and thought this would be the right place to share.

This post by Muirium where he mentioned his pyramid concept got me to thinking, I only really want the main keyboard area for typing. The other key clusters are just in case they are needed. Also, looking again at matt3o's keyboards and some of the others from the last group-build, I really like how much thinner they are than the one I built. So I threw together a design that made the secondary clusters less prominent, while still allowing enough internal space for TrackPoint hardware (I think).

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top.png (6.85 KiB) Viewed 5824 times

Thanks to suka for the suggestion to use OpenSCAD. The above pictures were made by importing the DXF file and extruding the 2D layers. I'm dreaming of a relatively simple Python interface that could take most of the grunt work out of designing layered keyboards, perhaps similar to suka's OpenSCAD script, but perhaps that could take keyboard-layout-editor raw data as input and automatically generate a top plate. That would also help reduce the possibility for errors when drawing the plates manually.

For the case in those pictures, I tried reducing the design complexity to make it easier to build and more serviceable than my last keyboard. So it doesn't have an OLED display and has only 2 LEDs instead of 7. The TrackPoint controller would mount to the top plate making the keyboard easier to close. And this is the layout I had in mind:

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Anyway, I'm still tinkering with this design, and can't wait to see some of the great concepts and excellent work in this GB come to fruition.

[matt3o]

hold on... why not a modular design then?



basically the base plate is the same for all, then you just change the sides (mid layers) and place over the new module (to the left or to the right)

[Zaakessiron]

I do like the idea of a Modular design matt3o, it should give us a more versetile option when building. And I think we would have many more intresting worklogs here in the forum to follow with that in mind.

F1-F12 is something i would like on my personal build, but i could do without the caps lock. I have it currently disabled (registry hack) on my shine 3, and use it as a dedicated push-to-talk key for Mumble. might try replace it with a super/Fn key in a custom build.

BTW I joined in on the Skull Squadron caps, they look like an awesome set. Though I would have liked an ISO Nordic option with it but i am quite used to the ISO UK layout so it wont bother me a lot.

[mohitgarg]

Haha, everyday, this project inches closer to my Blox project. I'm watching this carefully!

Thanks to suka for the suggestion to use OpenSCAD. The above pictures were made by importing the DXF file and extruding the 2D layers. I'm dreaming of a relatively simple Python interface that could take most of the grunt work out of designing layered keyboards, perhaps similar to suka's OpenSCAD script, but perhaps that could take keyboard-layout-editor raw data as input and automatically generate a top plate. That would also help reduce the possibility for errors when drawing the plates manually.

Can you share how you extruded those layers, as I am mighty interested, since I am always designing layout plates and layered acrylic cases.

Regarding the code to generate layers, this is a very interesting idea, which I had shared again on my Blox project thread, it would be a one time investment, but one should be able to write a script to generate SVG files, for layers based on a webform, or a formatted output like from the layout editor and this would help the community immensely. I did intend to get onto that when it came to it (Right now I am working on designing the PCBs).

In general I am very interested in looking forward to how the community explores on modular design, specifically the physical assembly, as electronically it is feasible using multiple PCBs, internal USB-hub, master-slave config, etc. Physical modularity is not that easy, since working space is small.

[mtl]

hold on... why not a modular design then?



basically the base plate is the same for all, then you just change the sides (mid layers) and place over the new module (to the left or to the right)

Good idea. If I understand your idea correctly, it may require some additional screw holes that may be redundant for edges of the keyboard where you opt not to have a module. I think there would probably be visible seams where modules are attached. I'll try to take a crack at it in the near future and report back.

Can you share how you extruded those layers, as I am mighty interested, since I am always designing layout plates and layered acrylic cases.

First, save the case design as a R12 DXF file. Then search the dxf for LAYER to find the names of your layers. Then import them like so (this is the .scad script I used):

Code: Select all

translate( [ 0, 0, 12 ] ) {
	color( [ 0.8, 0.8, 0.8 ] )
	linear_extrude( height = 1.5, center = false, convexity = 1, $fn = 50 )
	import( file = "keyboard.dxf", layer = "7_TOP_-_1_5MM" );
}

translate( [ 0, 0, 9 ] ) {
	color( [ 0.7, 0.7, 0.7 ] )
	linear_extrude( height = 3, center = false, convexity = 1, $fn = 50 )
	import( file = "keyboard.dxf", layer = "6_SPACER_II_-_3MM" );
}

translate( [ 0, 0, 7.5 ] ) {
	color( [ 0.6, 0.6, 0.6 ] )
	linear_extrude( height = 1.5, center = false, convexity = 1, $fn = 50 )
	import( file = "keyboard.dxf", layer = "5_WINGS_-_1_5MM" );
}

translate( [ 0, 0, 4.5 ] ) {
	color( [ 0.5, 0.5, 0.5 ] )
	linear_extrude( height = 3, center = false, convexity = 1, $fn = 50 )
	import( file = "keyboard.dxf", layer = "4_BUTTON_BRIDGE_-_3MM" );
}

translate( [ 0, 0, 1.5 ] ) {
	color( [ 0.4, 0.4, 0.4 ] )
	linear_extrude( height = 3, center = false, convexity = 1, $fn = 50 )
	import( file = "keyboard.dxf", layer = "3_SPACER_III_-_3MM" );
}

translate( [ 0, 0, 0 ] ) {
	color( [ 0.3, 0.3, 0.3 ] )
	linear_extrude( height = 1.5, center = false, convexity = 1, $fn = 50 )
	import( file = "keyboard.dxf", layer = "1_BOTTOM_-_1_5MM" );
}

Regarding the code to generate layers, this is a very interesting idea, which I had shared again on my Blox project thread, it would be a one time investment, but one should be able to write a script to generate SVG files, for layers based on a webform, or a formatted output like from the layout editor and this would help the community immensely. I did intend to get onto that when it came to it (Right now I am working on designing the PCBs).

Some of the issues are regarding output formats. OpenSCAD is scriptable, but doesn't seem to support output of smooth arcs (laser cutters prefer arcs over sharp corners because it keeps the laser moving). DWG is a proprietary format, but if anyone could recommend a library that supports DWG output I would be interested. SVG is good but I'm not sure if matt3o's laser cutter accepts it and what line thickness should be used. Plus there are unit conversion issues from what I've read. DXF may be the way to go, but I got corruption errors opening up a file created using the Python dxfwrite module in DraftSight. When a good output format and supporting library are found then perhaps more progress could be made.

[pasph]

Is this on hold?

[matt3o]

I'm personally still working on it. I don't know about you folks

I'm actually waiting for the CNC machine to see what I can really do at home, but layout designing is still open.

[Muirium]

Aye, chief.

[Dubsgalore]

this is so cool, nice work guys! just seeing this now

[RaleghDirat]

For me, going below TKL is only for short periods when not at my main work points. I must have a dedicated navigation cluster for fast editing.

So, matt3o, do you think you can provide this "standard"?
Will you need CAD files for it?



http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/# ... 932d183892

Must go add a spacebar and 4 modifiers to round 5...

[matt3o]

I would avoid standard layouts, but if there's enough interest, no problem

[RaleghDirat]

Guess I'm a sucker for classics: ISO356CL
http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/the ... -t255.html

[matt3o]

sorry guys for being a bit lazy lately, I'll be back on this as soon as we close the IC for the PBT DSA GB

[snoopy]

I literally can't wait for this to happen

[Memoren]

so has anything been finalized with ANSI vs ISO?

[Muirium]

Versus?

Each to their own. These are custom keyboards after all.

[mzero]

Look this design (a real product), there is a gap between R-Alt and the arrows keys, that does looks fine.
You can find more pics at http://imgur.com/a/qjJlE ( GH user:acantha )

The big issue is find a set with short r-shift, it's quite complicated. I've given up with 1.75 R-Shift

[matt3o]

PBT Granite!

[Memoren]

I have no experience with designing a keyboard what software should I use?

[matt3o]

I use inkscape

[Muirium]

This specialised web app is proving quite popular:

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com

Anything that can draw squares will do. I use OmniOutliner. The vital thing is to make sure your designs use cap shapes that actually exist. They come in quarter units. 7bit's wiki page on Round 5 is a good place to look for all that:

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Round_5

And don't be afraid to share your designs!

[Muirium]

The big issue is find a set with short r-shift, it's quite complicated. I've given up with 1.75 R-Shift

The PBT Granite that Matt3o refers to:



http://deskthority.net/marketplace-f11/ ... ml#p151153

A little GB he's organising. Should be pretty handy for custom builds, to say the least.

[Memoren]

Would this be something I could pull off?

[matt3o]

technically speaking, yes, it would be possible.

[Muirium]

Neat solution to the asymmetry problem. I'd make those double height caps into singles, for a numpad layer and easier sourcing though. But the overall slim layout is definitely neat.

[IwishIcanFLighT]

Hey there!

I'm a big fan of the Kmac Mini but since it is a very rare keyboard, I can't get my hands on it!
In other words: I'm really looking forward to this project!