Loliplol wrote: ↑Cherry MX Red (great for gamers), RGB lights (with computer program to control them)
I wouldn't agree with Red being "The Gaming Switch". You can game just as well on any of Cherry's regular MX switches.
There are now
many keyboards out there with linear switches (Cherry MX Red or Black), keyboards for gamers.
What is your edge? Why choose Karlo's company's keyboards over a more established, trialled and tested brand?
As to RGB: The Cherry MX with a black housing supports only 3 mm LEDs, and there are no 3 mm RGB LEDs.
The switches that Corsair uses in their RGB switches have clear housings, with SMD RGB LEDs on the bottom that shine
through the housings. Corsair has had a special partnership with Cherry, the switches being exclusive to Corsair.
The
switches that Razer is using for their BlackWidow Chroma were made by
Kaihua - they are using a special 3mm LED that has a wider base that fits specifically in their switches. The reason why Razer went with Kaihua in the first place was because Cherry had problems meeting keyboard manufacturers' demand for Cherry MX switches.
I know that Gateron has made
switches with clear housings, but so far only as a special order (Zeal PC).
Gateron does also make keycaps out of PBT and other parts that are compatible with Cherry MX.
Unfortunately, people still believe that anything other than genuine Cherry would be of lower quality when that is not necessarily the case. Gateron is quite well regarded by those who have tried them.
Personally, I do not very much like the light-bleed between keys that many backlit Cherry MX switches have.
If I had my little way, I would instead of Cherry MX (or clones of Cherry MX) use Adomax Flaretech switches - but Adomax is a peripheral brand itself, so I am unsure on how they would want to license. These are compatible with Cherry MX only for the keycaps: inside they have optical sensing (which is faster than mechanical metal-contact switches: there's an
edge!) but a similar feel to Cherry MX Red would be possible. The switches also use SMD LEDs but with a light-guide, thus giving even less light-bleed than original Cherry MX. The switches would also support analogue sensing in the future, as long as the electronics and controller supports it - alas there is no USB protocol for analogue keyboards.
Loliplol wrote: ↑So, I found this template that we will use for laser cutting.
It looks as if you got it from the community.
The switch holes would normally be square, but are shaped like that so that you would be able to open the Cherry MX switches for modding without desoldering them first. That feature is wanted by the community, for sure.
The stabiliser holes in that template do support both Cherry and Costar-style stabilisers.
kbdfr wrote: ↑Designing a PCB which will allow both ANSI and ISO of course is a must, by the way.
The reason for that is that you could reuse the PCB for both ANSI, ISO and other layouts. Only the plate would have to be different.. or not even that: Cherry MX switches with stabilising pins do not need a plate.
Plates provide a more solid look and feel and they protect the underlying PCB. Some keyboards (like Corsair's) let also the plate be the top of the keyboard's case.
Most stabiliser mounts are mounted to the plate, not the PCB though. You need special mounts from Cherry if you would mount them to the PCB.
If you do it like Corsair with the plate as the case top then you might want to close any holes in the top case anyway: only square switch holes and only Costar-style stabilisers.
Loliplol wrote: ↑Also, USB type C anyone?
Yes.
Type C would only be the type of plug on the device end. The protocol would still be only USB 2.0 so your cable could just as well be a USB 2.0 cable also.
it will work on Mac, Windows and linux. But still, if you want to use a program you like more and it supports coding, you will be able with no problem.
), don't just make a generic 60% or TKL layout. There are tons of custom and commercial options for them already. 
