类型: GB
作者:
PlastikSchnittstelle
发布时间: 2018-04-10 11:54:03
更新时间:
2020-04-03 14:36:01
原链接:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=95113.0
Hi everyone,
after
a long IC phase
I’m finally starting the GroupBuy for my custom case. I
don’t want to write a lot about concept, construction,
design and features, since I already did this quite
extensively in the IC opening post and throughout the
discussion there. I’ll summarize, do some c&p and add
what’s necessary.
2020.04.03:
Final post
2019.12.30:
SKB GB feedback form answers
2019.12.30:
SKB plate isolation mounting option
2019.11.01:
UPDATE, SKB-GB feedback form
2019.09.28:
Update regarding the remaining cases (less than 5%)
2019.08.08:
tracking numbers sent out via email
2019.08.07:
shipping started
2019.05.09:
about address change
2019.05.03:
remaining stock available
2019.05.03:
proceed as planned - sorting, packing, shipping
2019.05.01:
Quality control
2019.04.19:
PARTS ARRIVED!
2019.02.20:
another delay
2018.10.22: Looking good,
three little updates here
2018.10.13: making up for the missing ones on
reddit
2018.10.08: 60WKL & 75 samples arrived,
see teaser pics here
and
boardwalk version support announced
2018.09.11: payment phase extended until beginning
of Oktober in order to to give more to compensate for
those who don’t pay. Awaiting 60WKL & 75 samples, they
should help to convince a few more to join and get to the
expected number.
2018.09.06: payment status update,
many still missing,
link to post.
2018.08.07: participants should check their spam
folder. info email was sent out a few days ago. Invoices
are out now. Orders are still accepted until the end of
payment phase, beginning of September.
TL;DR
This is a GB for a high profile,
top-mount, custom keyboard case. It is made of thick, bent
aluminium. The surface is bead blasted and black anodized.
The plate is black galvanized steel. You can choose between
different 60% versions (Standard, Winkeyless, HHKB and YAS)
as well as a 65% and a 75% version. You just get the case,
plate and accessories like screws but no PCB (except for the
YAS version, there you can order the case with the PCB if
you like). All popular 60%, 65% and 75% PCBs are supported.
It is made in Germany. Shipping world wide.
Features:
- 75%, 65% and 60% (Standard, Winkeyless, HHKB, YAS and Ortholinear)
- high-profile (3mm above lower edge of caps)
- top-mount
- height adjustability (6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 degrees)
- case material: 3 mm 2 mm thick aluminium
- case finish: bead blasted and anodized, black
- plate material: 1.5 mm steel
- plate finish: black galvanized
-
supports most PCBs and fancy layouts like split
spacebar
SKBXX GB ORDER FORM
-
More pictures and video:*
1st sample build log at Imgur
2nd sample build log at Imgur
3rd sample build log at Imgur
SKB indoors
SKB outdoors
SKB typing demonstration on youtube
illustrations of the different versions
renderings of the SKB family
renderings and illustrations of the updated version
pictures of the SKB60-YAS sample
pictures of the final samples
About this case
More
You can find a lot of custom keyboard cases here. They are
CNC milled, which is awesome but quite expensive as well. I
wanted to provide an alternative that gives you all the
benefits of a solid aluminium keyboard but for a
considerably lower price. So instead of milling the parts of
the keyboard from a block, I decided to go for laser cutting
and bending thick sheets.
The design is simple. The
decision for a material thickness of 3mm 2mm in combination
with the plate mounting method and the bolts piercing
through the frame lead to a pretty wide frame. The sides
overlapping at the edges is a deliberate choice which should
emphasize on the method of folding, rather then trying to
hide it. It also exposes the thickness of the material. Some
of you described it as “brutalist”, “utilitarian” or
“industrial” - all undeniable true in some way.
I like
to view it as a robust and reliable, everyday tool with a
focus on typing experience and ergonomics.
I want to
point out a few things I had in mind when designing this
case:
- At first, I wanted it to be a simple implementation of a top-mount case, cause IMHO top-mount is best-mount :)
- Secondly, the first and lowest or “initial” key row should be as low as possible. This is illustrated in one of the pictures down below.
- Thirdly, height adjustability. We prefer our keyboard at a certain angle but not everybody likes the same. So I wanted height adjustability to be an integral part of the design. You can choose between different angles: 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 degrees.
- Though the first prototype wasn’t a high profile case, the initial feedback I got, plus the IC made it obvious, that it would have to be a high profile case. After making that decision, I wanted it to be a “really” high profile case, much like old keyboards. This means the bezel doesn’t level with the lower edge of a cherry-profile keycap, instead it exceeds it by roughly 2mm (1,9mm measured in CAD). In other words, keycaps sink 3 mm deep into the frame.
-
No branding, nowhere, nothing.
You can find much more information about the whole process and how we got here, by taking a look at the IC thread.
PCBs, plates and layouts
Any of the popular PCBs with the USB port on the left side will fit. Don’t bother about screw-hole positions on the PCB, this is totally irrelevant in this case because it is a top-mount construction, not a tray-mount.
For the 60% there is plate A that supports most popular layouts including split spacebar. The YAS PCB gets its own plate. 65% 75% each have one plate, both support split spacebar as well.
Especially providing an option for the YAS62 - a project that I really like - was important to me. I have two of these PCBs and can’t wait to finally put them to use. Silentreader still has some PCBs left that you can get, just PM him. The YAS PCBs will be sent to me. In the order form you have the option to add the YAS PCB to your order to get it from me together with the case. Price is 37.
The plate does not support switch-top removal or alps switches. Yes, I probably could have convinced some more by offering those, but I made this decision because I wanted the plate to have as much mass as possible and the switches to fit tightly. Just lube your switches before you put them in ;)
All plates are ANSI/ISO unified and only support Cherry PCB mount stabilizers.
UPDATE:
I have added another plate option to choose from. Now SKB60 is available with an ortholinear plate, which support the XD75 PCB for example.
UPDATE 2:
Small plate updates regarding split spacebar support. SKB65 now available as well. Dropped one layout -> YAS now has it’s own, dedicated plate.
UPDATE 3:
BOARDWALK support added. Two different plates for Boardwalk, see pictures below and linked album here. Boardwalk options added to the order form.
Dimensions and weight
More
SKB60:
Width: 313 mm
Depth: 123
mm
Height (center point of keycap top at lowest row): ~
26 mm
Height (rear edge at 6 degree): 31 mm
Height
(rear edge at 14 degree): 45 mm
Weight (complete
build): 0.85 kg
SKB75:
Width: 332
mm
Depth: 142 mm
Height (center point of keycap
top at lowest row): ~ 26 mm
Height (rear edge at 6
degree): 33 mm
Height (rear edge at 14 degree): 50
mm
Weight (complete build, estimate): ~ 1.2 kg
(all
height values measured without rubber feet)
What you
get
More
Top & Bottom:
2 mm thick aluminium
LASER cut and bent
bead blasted and anodized, black
-
Plate:*
1.5 mm thick steel
galvanized black
-
Accessories:*
12x button head screws (M3x12)
12x low head screws (M3x12)
12x nuts
8x standoffs
4x washers
-
4x rubber feet
[ Specified attachment is not available ]
Nit-picking
More
I think most of the following is obvious, but I think it is important to be 100 percent honest about all details:
- Height adjustment is not quick like flipp out feet. You have to unscrew two and loosen two more screws on the sides in order to adjust the height.
- There are a few mini-USB cables that have a pretty bulky head. The top left screw is positioned right above the USB port and if you happen to have a bulky plug, then it might interfere slightly with the screw inside the case. Not a big deal, I just sliced a bit off the plug and then it did fit perfectly fine. I now this since the first prototype but I didn’t want to change the screw position, since I think it’s perfect and slicing isn’t a big deal. Some cables fit right away, some need the slice.
- The position of the USB port differs slightly on some PCBs. Depending on your PCB, the plug might not be perfectly centered in the cutout, but of course it will always fit.
-
There are PCBs like the
EEPW84
which have a little controller board (Kimera core)
soldered on in the lowest row. This component might touch
the bottom of the case. Because of that a PCB like this
might not work at the lowest 6 degree angle (probably
works but I can’t confirm). Angles above 6 degree won’t be
any problem.
Made in Germany
More
I live in Germany and here we have plenty of companies that
specialize in this kind of metalworking. I have designed
parts which are laser cut and bent before and was always
very satisfied with the result I got from the local
companies.
I trust them, communication is smooth and
they deliver quickly.
Pricing
More
at 40+ units:
all 60% (SKB60) versions cost 148
the 75% (SKB75) version costs 168
-
at 70+ units:*
all 60% (SKB60) versions cost 136
the 75% (SKB75) version costs 154
-
at 100+ units:*
all 60% (SKB60) versions cost 128
the 65% (SKB65) version costs 136
the 75% (SKB75) version costs 145
-
at 170+ units:*
all 60% (SKB60) versions cost 115 Euro
the 65% (SKB65) version costs 125 Euro
-
the 75% (SKB75) version costs 135 Euro
PayPal fee and shipping will be added
MOQ = 40 (all versions have reached MOQ, they will all be made!)
Shipping
More
I will ship with DHL.
Here you can find a detailed price table for
international shipping from Germany.
Destination Option 1 Option 2 Germany 6
tracking
weight
up to 2kg
insured up to 500 7
tracking
weight
up to 5kg
insured up to 500 Europe
(including the
UK) 15
tracking
weight up to 2kg
insured up
to 500 17
tracking
weight up to 5kg
insured
up to 500 International
(most countries including USA)
21
tracking
weight up to 2kg
insured up to 50
38
tracking
weight up to 5kg
insured up to
500 International
(some countries like Australia and
Japan) 21
tracking
weight up to 2kg
insured
up to 50 47
tracking
weight up to 5kg
insured
up to 500
UPDATE, added new shipping option:
15
international shipping, fits up to one SKB, tracked, insured
up to 100
Timeline
GB start (2018.04.10)
-
collecting orders via form (starting 2018.04.10)
payment (2018.08.04 - 2018.11)
placing the order (2018.10)
production (~ 5 Months)
packing and shipping ~ August 2019
-
GB concluded
( grey = past / red = present / blue = future)
Updates -
(2018-04-11) Besides PayPal, I will offer SEPA and N26 as well
-
(2018-04-11) you can also order extra plates. 30 per extra plate. just write in the comments
-
(2018-04-11) maybe an ortholinear plate is going to happen
-
(2018-04-13) finished the 3rd build, uploaded to imgur
-
(2018-04-14) uploaded typing demonstration to youtube
(2018-04-14) we are at 69 orders so far
-
(2018-04-15) ortholinear plate for SKB60 now available, form updated
-
(2018-04-15) uploaded some outdoor shots to imgur
-
(2018-04-15) SKB and me showed up at a little meetup
-
(2018-04-15) SKB60 case and YAS PCB shipping together?
-
(2018-04-17) YAS PCB available as well now, order form updated
-
(2018-04-20) schedule pushed back. payment phase ~end of may, orders till then
-
(2018-04-20) maybe 65% as well
-
(2018-04-21) some numbers
-
(2018-05-03) added illustrations of the different versions, 65% will be added soon
-
(2018-05-04) 100+ pricing unlocked
-
(2018-05-04) different plate coating
-
(2018-05-07) list of orders so far
-
(2018-05-14) updated plates and split spacebar support
-
(2018-05-14) if you want to change your order
-
(2018-05-14) dropped support for one layout
-
(2018-05-18) SKB family renderings including SKB65
-
(2018-05-18) updated timeline and another sample build coming soon
-
(2018-05-20) new shipping options
-
(2018-05-28) about the HHKB version
-
(2018-05-28) updated order list
-
(2018-05-29) updated order list
-
(2018-05-31) update: final sample, invoicing, timeline
-
(2018-06-12) decision to make: plate material and finish
-
(2018-06-12) invoicing pushed back jet again
-
(2018-07-05) why it took so long
-
(2018-07-18) final sample!
-
(2018-08-03) updated order list
-
(2018-08-03) payment status
-
Updates continue on top
Renderings
More
I want to make sure you know exactly what you are getting.
Renderings can be misleading and I wanted you to be able to
make a decision based on the real case. So I decided to get
samples made. That pushed the GB back another two months but
I thought it was worth it.
SKB60 standard and HHKB
versions were made. Samples for all the different versions
would have been too expensive for me. So there are
renderings for some versions, but the impression you get
from the samples translate to the rest.
You can finde much more renderings in the IC.
Sorry just lost my patience uploading pictures. I’ll
provide the renderings via external source link later. Most
are shown in the IC already, just a few new ones.
Here
you can find new renderings.