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Hike News

【IC】CYGNUS GB Live.

类型: IC
作者: PheonixStarr
发布时间: 2019-07-21 20:35:20
更新时间: 2019-12-08 12:03:23
原链接: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=101671.0



GB Thread.
/) hi geekhack
This is Cygnus, an f-rowless TKL. It’s clean, it’s subtle, and it’s simple—until you peek inside. The brass plate is suspended in a Kepler-like Poron double gasket mount. The unique mounting complements the plate’s extreme cuts—lending a firm response & rich tone to your clack.
Features
• 6063-T6 aluminum case; sandblasted brass weight & plate
• Tenkeyless layout lacking the top function row
• PVD brass plate, with extensive cutouts and calculated flex profile.
• Double gasket mount (dampening & isolation); 1/16”-thick Poron strips
• MX-only 1.6mm PCB with ESD, fuse, and STM32 running QMK
• HERA-C USB Type-C daughterboard
• One RGB LED indicator, representing Caps Lock by default
• 5.5° typing angle
SALES
Unlimited group-buy through Keylace Co. GB will open December 8th, 2019 – January 7th, 2020.

One important note: The plates and weight offered in the buy will be sandblasted brass, not PVD.
I would’ve liked to offer it, but my manufacturer is currently unable to reliably provide PVD brass parts.
My alternate sources charge more than the price point would allow. Sorry :(
I wasn’t aware it needed to be said, but yes, by default, each Cygnus will ship with one brass plate,
one Arcturus PCB, and one HERA-C daughterboard. Add-ons are available at the point of sale and possibly afterward, as well.


12/2/19
On Prototypes and Colors
I’d like to present—

The Slate Gray prototype! The brass plates have also arrived, and they feel phenomenal on the gasket (tried with T1s & NK Creams).

More pictures here.
I’ve decided upon Saturday, December 7th, 12:00 PM PST as the opening date of the group-buy. With a minimum of 50, it will remain open as an unlimited buy until January 7th (unless I hit some ridiculous number like 200 orders, but I highly doubt it’ll get that far).
One important note: The plates and weight offered in the buy will be sandblasted brass, not PVD. I would’ve liked to offer it, but my manufacturer is currently unable to reliably provide PVD brass parts. My alternate sources charge more than the price point would allow. Sorry :(
The board starts at $400, with additional brass/alu/CF/POM plates for $40 (sorry, I wish it could be lower; also, each Cygnus kit will ship with one brass plate by default) ea. & additional PCBs for $55 ea. Each Cygnus kit will ship with one daughterboard by default; additional HERA-C boards are available (screws included) on Keylace.
In the GB, I am introducing the e-coated Jet Black as a new color option, for that sweet, sweet black-&-gold colorway. Speaking of colors, I received some sample chips (that black is anodized, not e-coated)

The camera makes the blue seem a little more saturated than it is in real life—personally, I think the blue chip looks closer to the renders than this photo. Oddly enough, the rose gold chip looks about the same across the board. Thanks to elmo for catching it.
Regarding the “Forest Green” prototype—I have spoken with Cormorant on this matter, and they assured me that in the production run, the Cygnus Teal tone will more closely match 351 C. For short prototype runs, they use an inherently unstable color mixing method to achieve dyeing as opposed to an anodization bath (which is expensive for a single unit)
11/27/19
PROTOTYPES ARRIVED!
It’s been quite some time, hasn’t it? I promise I’ve been quite busy behind the scenes—and not just with Cygnus, as some of you might’ve heard of. After a lengthy wait, the first two prototypes, along with a sampling of POM plates, are in! There’s a Slate Gray prototype + some brass plates on the way, too.

Please note that, in the production run, I’ll be adding in the HERA-C daughterboard, as well as a third, center-aligned column of screws. Cygnus kits will arrive with the Poron gaskets adhered onto the upper and lower assemblies.
Anyway, enough chatter—let’s take a look.
More pics here.





9/30/19
On Rubber Feet and USB Ports…

  • Upon advice from Keycult’s riotonthebay, the Poron mounting was slightly modified
  • Plate redesigned to isolate 60 Set and Nav Cluster.
  • CYGNUS as a whole was fine-tuned; many dimensions were minutely changed and the USB port is now a little more sane-looking.
    The board also now sports some swanky new rubber feet. What do y’all think?

    I’m currently finalizing everything with all my manus (case, packaging, accessories, etc.) All that’s left is to finish the PCB.
    9/18/19

On MKULTRA and Displacement…
Y’all want some foam? Let’s do some foam. I got in touch with the wonderful guy behind MKUltra.click. Each Cygnus will ship with a slice of case foam (below the pcb) and plate foam (between pcb and plate).
Edit: this is very sadly canceled :(
Manufacturer (henceforth codenamed CORMORANT) has confirmed & approved the second revision. Speaking of the second revision, let’s take a look at the new plate.

Cute, huh? Red signifies the most displacement, while blue is the most rigid. As you can see, the top-bottom mounting system results in a (mostly) horizontally invariant flex profile.

After consulting with my contact at a materials manu (henceforth codenamed LIVERMORE), I selected a Poron formulation which will have a lightweight, non-residuous adhesive applied to one side to keep things in place.
8/11/19
On Layouts and Colors…

  • Added split backspace.
  • Added Tsangan Winkeyless option for upper assembly.
  • Redesigned LED cutout, as requested, to a horizontal line.
  • Still no ISO.
  • PCB became 1.6mm, since it won’t really make a difference toward the flex.
  • Enlarged the weight; keeb now weighs 2.0kg.
  • Expanded color offerings; Onyx Black and Amethyst purple dropped due to lack of interest.
    I’ve received quotes from the manu; it looks like we’ll be able to hit the $400 price point, after all—if not go lower, even!


Renders

Shown with GTRX’s GMK Nord.

I also took the liberty of updating the rather unpopular LED cutout and swapped it for something more like a line, as requested :)






The PVD sandblasted brass weight displays Nightingale Studio’s “Wing” icon.

A quick note on gaskets—I’ve been asked a few times what sets class materials like Poron and Sorbothane apart from neoprene or silicone.
Mechanical isolation and vibration dampening are two key characteristics of gaskets. Materials like neoprene, silicone, rubber, etc. have excellent isolation properties—they prevent the vibration of the plate from dispersing into the case. They do not, however, dampen very well; that is to say, the isolation is not perfect—some vibration leaks through. That’s where Poron and Sorbothane come in—they both isolate the plate well, but they also absorb and dampen the residual shock from typing.
SPECIAL THANKS
…(and apologies) to the handful of early buyers; your patience & forgiveness is highly appreciated, and I am shipping the orders regardless of the status of the money.
…to Gtrx, for providing awesome feedback and for shilling Cygnus around Discord, as well as lending GMK Nord
…to KingKoala22, also for providing awesome feedback and for shilling Cygnus around Discord
…and to you for reading, especially if you left a comment :)

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