being German myself MassDrop has asked me to have an interview with GMK.
I'm going to ask for questions that people might have at the known places until the end of this month and then it should finally happen. The interview itself is going to be published at Massdrop some time later.
Questions that occured so far:
History and misc:
- How the Cherry molds ended up in their hands?
Some highlights from previous custom jobs they did like the Skidata keyboards. Maybe something we're not aware of yet
How big is the staff involved in the mk division?
How many keycaps are produced during a month/year?
- Are we going to see more than fullsize, plans for tkl, 1800, 60%, 65%, maybe a modular mk someday, a numpad ...
What do they think about the Gateron "Hype"?
Any plans for plate mount QMX Clips? Maybe as a replacement switch top?
Plans for programability, at least dip switches for more freedom of users?
- Considerations regarding their MOQ and policy for creation of new molds?
Maybe getting a full list of all the molds they have.
Color formulation - Recent keycap releases and a few to be released have been noted to use a color reformulation. Can GMK talk to any of this? Specifically whether they are using a new formula or have plans to expand the color selection for custom keycaps?
Keycap profiles - Does GMK have plans for sculpted or other profiles like the popular SA? Could Topre profiles be in the future?
People that use Topre boards would like to know if they may offer support for Topre mounted key caps?
Double-shot and Pad Printing - Some clarity in why GMK chooses double shot or pad printing when running a production set would help new designers stepping in to create new cap designs. What key legends support both? What key legends require one vs the other?
Legend Modifiers - Some enthusiasts appreciate legends as their preference to text modifiers while some prefer novelty graphics. What influence will we have on GMK to make legend modifiers available in the future?
Quality Management - Some in the community have noted scratched key caps, light bleed, and legend rub out from pad printing as a few of the issues that come from key cap production. What influence has this feedback had in GMK's production runs? What are the critical quality checks GMK puts into the production process to manage against these issues?
Production Schedules - Some vendors provide a view into schedule for production which helps customers understand delivery schedules. Being able to see this information would significantly help group buys and drop participants to know when a order was received and when it is scheduled for production.
What is the general estimate for a MOQ set from manufacture to shipment for key caps from GMK? Would GMK offer a way for customers to see a schedule for key cap production runs?
How did the horrible Triumph Adler Massdrop clamshell debacle happen and what will they do to ensure it never happens again? https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyb ... _packaged/?
I'd like to know if they could ever make sets that are compatible with alps/mathias switches. Keycaps are the factor that is holding me back from getting a board with alps stem switches and I love me some thick, cherry profile keycaps.
PBT dyesubs.or doubleshots?
Ttriple shot feasibility for sets like upcoming Cyrillic?
Aftermarket possiblity, if they have any leftover keys, and or sets and how one would obtain them? (I know they have replaced defective keys on certain group buys, including hyperfuse, so I assume they make more than just the ordered amount)
Do you have plans to offer (some of) the Uniquey keycap options as readily available sets?
Are you working on other layouts (ISO-UK, US International, ...)? Mac legends?
Plans to define some golden standard sets: WOB, BOW, beige. These sets could be sold on their webshop, and replacements too.
When will they sell uniqey in uk layout, maybe in only a couple of available colours for the set.
Ty for reading and have a nice day!
