Group Build prototyping phase

[matt3o]

is that an HHKB? if so I should already have that plate design

[rapax24]

Where we are right now?
I made 3 case designs. They are new designs that I never tested before, so I'm running a "private" test for them. They are in alu+wood and alu+PC.

As soon as I confirm that the new layouts are working we can proceed with the mass production.

which cad software are you using for case design? are you planning a layered build or something fancy?

[mr_peck]

is that an HHKB? if so I should already have that plate design

Yes. Splitted right shift and backspace.
How much will the plate cost (shipping in France) ?

[matt3o]

which cad software are you using for case design? are you planning a layered build or something fancy?

I have designs for both layered and bent metal

is that an HHKB? if so I should already have that plate design

Yes. Splitted right shift and backspace.
How much will the plate cost (shipping in France) ?

it's really too soon to tell. Last time case+plate went for €110 shipped.

[mr_peck]

OK thank you.

[Muirium]

Bent metal, eh? How tight are the bends and how do you handle the corners?

[matt3o]

Bent metal, eh? How tight are the bends and how do you handle the corners?

I do not have specs yet... I believe I have to wait for the prototype. Anyway the bends should be pretty tight. I have woods on the sides.

[Muirium]

Intriguing! Definitely want to see how these turn out. Have you enough people taking part in the first run now?

[matt3o]

I'll post the quote as soon as I get it, anyone can join the first run then

[mr_peck]

@matt3o : which controller do you plan to use ?

[matt3o]

teensy (I wanted to experiment with teensy 3 actually)

[Muirium]

Cool!

I have a Teensy 2 and Teensy 3 available for this! And I'll soon have Kile's controller, which runs on different hardware. I like to be overprepared for caps, stabs and controllers, apparently…

[kile]

teensy (I wanted to experiment with teensy 3 actually)

Are there any example keyboard firmwares for Teensy 3? I'd love too take a peek I've been wanting to get into ARM MCUs for a while, and it would be great if there's something usable to start with.

[QWERTim]

Bent metal, eh? How tight are the bends and how do you handle the corners?

With stainless steel / plain steel I think the bends would be approximate 3mm curve radius. Aluminium is more than likely a lot less than this due to lighter nature.

[Muirium]

Good point. Naturally, what I'm always thinking about is how to make a full metal jacket… again. But this time with vertical faces instead of layers. Wood is a decent backup, and, as it doesn't shield RF as much, a wireless custom could have a wooden back but metal front and sides!

[matt3o]

I finally got the quote. There are some issues with material thickness (namely they don't have all the thicknesses I need) so I have to redesign some parts BUT the quote is very (very) good! It's hard to give a value to each case because they are all very different, but the premise is good and hopefully we found a way to have decently priced custom cases.

[Muirium]

Great stuff. So, any open slots?

[matt3o]

yes, but do you want to risk with the new case design?

[Muirium]

Maybe. Is anyone else sharing your costs just now?

I'm probably too demanding to be in the test group, to be fair. But I am thoroughly intrigued to see what you're up to!

[pyrelink]

So the first run is basically just going to be a prototyping run, for the current case, plate, and PCB designs? Then the second will be those same designs, with any imperfections ironed out? Or is the first run actually going to be pretty different then the second?

[matt3o]

so far it's all on my shoulders, but some many seemed interested in the layouts. phaps might be interested in the numpad (AFAIUI) and others kindly offered to help me covering the expenses.

What I'm going to do specifically is:
1) numpad wood + alu
2) robot-65 ANSI wood + alu + steel bottom
3) robot-65 ISO wood + alu + steel bottom
4) stab-zero (60% without stabilizers) alu + frosted acrylic (no PC unfortunately)
5) stab-one a poker case compatible 60% with just one stabilizer for the spacebar
6) numpad with bent alu + wood (if I can get the final design working)

The good of #1, #2 and #3 is that there are no visible screws. Actually there are no screws at all on the plate (just 6 screws to hold the bottom plate, but they are on the underbelly of the keyboards). It's a work of wood insets and glue... if it works it might be very nice... but it could be very well wasted money.

So the first run is basically just going to be a prototyping run, for the current case, plate, and PCB designs? Then the second will be those same designs, with any imperfections ironed out? Or is the first run actually going to be pretty different then the second?

this test run serves to understand if the new case designs with wood actually work. If they don't or we don't like them we'll be back to the plain old layered aluminum (I'll try to have it anodized this time).

[Muirium]

#5: Stab One sounds interesting. HHKB style right shift and split backspace, with ISO left shift I presume, to avoid the stabs? Good layout.

[pyrelink]

Ah, all sound like great choices. Really hoping the wooden inserts work out.

[fyx]

Is 75% layout off the table?

[matt3o]

Is 75% layout off the table?

it is not, simply I'm not having it in this first test run

[Ryan_Alan]

Very exciting!

[matt3o]

I'll try to post a sketch of the new wood case as soon as I get some spare time

[pasph]

Interested in #3 and in #1 or #6 if it's the sidekick

[SL89]

I'll try to post a sketch of the new wood case as soon as I get some spare time

Please do, I'm very interested in that one.

[Findecanor]

I'll try to post a sketch of the new wood case as soon as I get some spare time

Looking forward to it!