类型: IC
作者: norbauer
发布时间: 2016-03-07 13:01:52
更新时间:
2016-10-07 01:25:16
原链接:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=80317.0
Hi everybody! After a few successful runs of my Galaxy Class
keycap set (thanks, as always, to moz for getting the ball
rolling on that), I’ve been thinking for a long time about a
fun new project to do. I’m a huge Topre fan, but I also love
my custom MX keycaps, so it was a pretty natural step for me
to want to do something for the Novatouch. My current daily
driver is a heavily hacked hybrid 45g/30g-weight Realforce
in a custom Korean CNC aluminum case from a run that KBDMOD
did. I love that case, and it’s the only thing
keeping me from switching over to Novatouch full time. So,
it’s probably no big surprise what I’ve been working on.
Here is my latest custom CNC-milled, black anodized
Novatouch case prototype.
I’ve admittedly gone a little crazy (in a fun way)
with this project. Firstly, I had to teach myself machining
and metal finishing (I machined the first prototype myself
on a manual Bridgeport mill), and then 3D CAD, and then how
to work with prototyping shops, and then how to work with
manufacturers to organize production runs. To my slight
embarrassment and horror (now that I am writing this and
look back on it), I’ve now gone through thousands of dollars
making four iterative one-off prototypes and about a year of
work, but I’m really very happy with the design at which
I’ve arrived. The better (later) prototypes have been
purchased by GeekHack members through the Classifieds, and I
have been so encouraged by their very positive feedback on
receiving the cases and have heard from so many people who
are also interested that I have decided to try to maybe
organize a larger group buy.
I thought I would document
the design process here, explain the decisions I made and
why, and then I wanted to solicit feedback from the
community and see what kind of interest there might be.
Massdrop
are very interested in organizing an initial buy, so at this
point I think I’m likely to offer these through MassDrop,
but I’m open to feedback on that as well.
Design
I
have designed a well to hold the plate, with alignment pins
to help when screwing the top and bottom together with
socket-cap screws.
An additional feature added in subsequent versions
(not shown above) are flange-head screws that cinch the
plate against the bottom half of the case, allowing firm and
precise tweaking of where the plate sits in the case and
then a positive lock between the parts. This is especially
in case there are significant tolerance variations between
keyboards now or in future from CoolerMaster, causing the
plates to be slightly different sizes. You can see the hole
and recess for the flange screws in this photo of a later
prototype.
Exterior corners have a nice chamfer to break the
hard edge.
(It may look like the top and bottom don’t precisely
align here, but that’s just because I took this photo
without the case fully assembled.)
The USB bracket
screws into tapped holes and on the outside of the case sits
flush with the face of a recess that has been made to the
precise connector specs given in the USB standard.
Two feet options are provided. Firstly, my preferred
(and the more generally recognized to be ergonomic) totally
flat, using very low-profile bumpons to keep the overall
case profile as slim as possible.
Secondly, if I do a larger run of these, I’ll include
the option for riser feet, which will allow raising the case
to the same angle as a Novatouch with its flip-up feet
deployed (11 degrees).
I originally included a logo (what used to be my
GeekHack avatar), but I have removed that for the production
run.
Feedback please
Would you buy something like this? Any requests for
improvements?
I know many folks might like different
colors, but anodizing is crazy expensive, and every
additional color doubles the anodizing cost for the group
buy. I figured black was the safest bet.
Made in the
USA
I am leaning towards production in the USA, because
I believe it’ll ensure a shorter lead time and (possibly)
higher quality compared to sourcing in China, even if being
more expensive. I have nothing against working with China
vendorsall of my prototypes were made in ShenzhenI just
think it makes less sense for very small production runs
compared to thousands of parts. It also means lower risk for
everyone involved, much less complicated logistics and
shipping costs, etc. I’m also a stickler for quality and
want to make a high-end “luxury” sort of keyboard mod
product if I do this, and I believe that working with a
local vendor will help me with quality control.
My goal
would to have these ready to ship within two months of money
being received from buyers in any group buy. Assuming I go
with a US shop, I think that is a realistic timeline. If we
go with a vendor in Asia, we have to worry about sea
freight, customs clearance, and all that, which always
introduces greater risk for delays.
Cost and time
Because
I’m sure someone will ask, I don’t yet know the final price.
But custom, short-run CNC machining and finishing aren’t
cheap, so let’s pessimistically assume $250 if only a few
people join the buy, but I think even with USA manufacture
that we can probably do better than that (or
muchbetter if the numbers are strong). Of course,
it’s all depending on what options I end up going with and
what numbers we’re able to generatehence this IC thread!
I
look forward to hearing your thoughts, my fellow Topre
nerds!