Group Build prototyping phase

[DanielT]

So for for people interested on the plans:
1. The original DWG

DT_MxHHKB2010_2.zip

(49.16 KiB) Downloaded 190 times

2. My version

60per.zip

(285.34 KiB) Downloaded 170 times

I used DraftSight with great success, it's free and can edit all kind of formats.

In a custom case fitting the Teensy is not such a big issue, I guess, but in a standard Poker case I think some careful planning will be required.

[matt3o]

So when it comes to fitting in the Teensy, are we talking finding somewhere to fit it on the PCB, or in the case itself, or do we need to worry about both?

wherever you want actually, the best is directly on the PCB of course

[Muirium]

Next up: a mini GB for USB jump cables with sockets and jacks preinstalled on the ends. Those wee things are fiddly! And I need a few for my other projects, yet again…

Those Amphenol sockets are pretty, and might come down in price a bit with a good order:

[matt3o]

panel mount mini-usb are too expensive for my taste (14-12 a pop).

[pyrelink]

panel mount mini-usb are too expensive for my taste (14-12 a pop).

Damn, I was going to say I would be in for a few of those, but that's pretty expensive...

[Muirium]

What do Poker cases do for the port, then? Just a hole for the Poker's own on its PCB? I'm just guessing.

[JBert]

What do Poker cases do for the port, then? Just a hole for the Poker's own on its PCB? I'm just guessing.

Pretty much. The receptacle sticks out a bit from the PCB and thus goes through the rectangular hole in the case.

[DanielT]

Jump cables are great, I saw some on RS Farnell site some time ago, I'll have to check on their site.
On the Poker is just a hole, nothing fancy.
In my project in a first phase I will make a fixed USB cable directly in the Teensy, and worry latter

[aaron]

Why is the teensy such a problem? Without the USB-Connector the teensy (v2) is very small and the hight is not much more than the PCB itself. So it can mount everywhere on the backside of the plate on top of the switches. In case there is no room and every mm counts, the pins from the MX-Switch can be bend 90deg for extra space.

[Muirium]

It's not a problem, just something to watch out for when you're considering layouts and cases. The Teensy is so small it's actually very versatile. Especially on the back of a PCB, where it should be!

Perhaps we could even mount the Teensy so its socket is exactly where the Poker's goes?

[DanielT]

Even mounted in the same position it will be a few mm off (on the Poker PCB the USB is soldered directly, but in this case the teensy would be placed on the PCB and will add the 1-2mm extra), but a guess using some spacers between the Poker case and the PCB could compensate this offset, this has to be measured.
I think the OneHand PCB will be starting point for such measurements.

[Findecanor]

Perhaps we could even mount the Teensy so its socket is exactly where the Poker's goes?

Not possible. The socket needs to be on the main PCB. Also, many Poker cases don't have room for any Teensy on the bottom.

[matt3o]

better to reiterate

Code: Select all

0    ------------ top
1.5  ------------ plate bottom

8.3  ------------ switch bottom
13.8 ------------ flush teensy
16.3 ------------ teensy with header

And the following is the stab-less

[DanielT]

It's an appealing layout, but the key caps... I need to "order more"
I would place the left FN to the exterior, I never press the left SHIFT so far to the left, but at the same time I have a weird typing method

[aaron]

And the following is the stab-less

Thats the thing! That comes my dream keyboard very close, love it

[matt3o]

1.75u caps are not the most stable and I don't know how they work on the thumbs (as spacebars)

[Muirium]

For stability, I'd recommend 1.5 unit caps. If you don't mind your space bar feeling the same as the mods down there, then Round 5 does have it and I have them in my order:

http://deskthority.net/wiki/R5_leftover ... 7C_.245.29

In fact, I have some in my Round 4 SPH, from Matteo. I need to delve through my spares and figure out what's what.

As for the Teensy: ah well, no simple reuse of the socket hole then. Anyway, we are designing the PCB, so we can put it anywhere on the underside where there's sufficient clearance:



Looks like there's plenty enough space between posts up behind the two rows top. But is there enough 3D depth?

[DanielT]

What I have seen somewhere don't remember (maybe GH): the Teensy was placed on the PCB under the space bar then connected the usb with wires on the PCB to some traces that lead to a USB plug placed on the PCB exactly in the same place as for the Poker. This way the custom PCB was a 100% fit on the Poker case, and quite a elegant solution. Maybe I can find the topic.

[matt3o]

I have an alu poker case and there's definitely not enough Z-depth to fit a teensy

[JBert]

Not even at the top like the original Poker case?

[matt3o]

the only way would be by placing a hole in the PCB I guess, under the spacebar

edit: mmmh or a hole in plate actually and place the teensy the other way round (over the PCB)

[Req]

And the following is the stab-less

That is close to a dream board for me as well.

[Muirium]

Would I drive myself mad if I swapped left (ISO style) Shift with Fn so I can achieve symmetry? There's a danger!

I'd have to do something with Return, anyway. I hit ANSI and ISO Return in the same place, by habit so they don't surprise me, and on that layout I'd be in trouble!

[Req]

Would I drive myself mad if I swapped left (ISO style) Shift with Fn so I can achieve symmetry? There's a danger!

Actually swapping those keys (width and all) may be better for use as well.

[matt3o]

As it is now the left shift is a standard ISO config, so a pretty proved design, I hit the return with my small finger very close to the left edge, so for me that just works fine.

I just have to test if 1.75u thumb keys actually work.

[Muirium]

Nah, 1.5u thumb keys is where it's at!

µ60% Symmetric 1.5 Thumb Row.png (114.65 KiB) Viewed 4895 times

• 1.5u caps are plentiful in GBs compared to 1.75s.
• 1.5u caps wobble less.
• 1.5*4 = 6u vs. 1.75*4 = 7u for less cramped layout either side.

The availability issue alone is what swayed me.

[matt3o]

I believe I nailed it



this is so funky I might end up making it. Look at it, it's adorable... and still stabilizer-free!

The problem with 1.75u is still anecdotal so not worth commenting until I did some serious testing.

[SL89]

Nah, 1.5u thumb keys is where it's at!

µ60% Symmetric 1.5 Thumb Row.png

• 1.5u caps are plentiful in GBs compared to 1.75s.
• 1.5u caps wobble less.
• 1.5*4 = 6u vs. 1.75*4 = 7u for less cramped layout either side.

The availability issue alone is what swayed me.

Dang, that looks perfect.

[webwit]

I believe I nailed it

...

this is so funky I might end up making it. Look at it, it's adorable... and still stabilizer-free!

The problem with 1.75u is still anecdotal so not worth commenting until I did some serious testing.

I like it!

[Muirium]

I believe I nailed it



this is so funky I might end up making it. Look at it, it's adorable... and still stabilizer-free!

The problem with 1.75u is still anecdotal so not worth commenting until I did some serious testing.

It's an anecdote you can test for yourself: try wobbling your Caps Lock / Control key, and then try Tab just above it. That's the difference between 1.75u and 1.5u. It's not horrible, but it is there. 1.75u is very close to needing a stab.