类型: IC
作者:
PlastikSchnittstelle
发布时间: 2017-11-03 09:02:20
更新时间:
2018-03-27 07:20:00
原链接:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=92403.0
TL;DR:
This is an interest check for a
keyboard case. It’s made of thick aluminium sheets, laser
cut and bent. Bead blasted and black anodized for the
finish. It’s supposed to be a more affordable alternative to
all the awesome but also expensive CNC aluminium cases. The
design is simple and sturdy, with integrated height
adjustability (6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 degrees) and a low
initial row. The plate is laser cut from steel and powder
coated, black. The plate is edge-mounted top-mounted. There
are different profile versions to decide on - medium, high
and high with integrated wrist-rest. We will have to decide
which size and layout the case should be adapted to.
The
case is high profile and there will be different 60%
(Standard, WKL, HHKB, YAS) and one 75% version to choose
from. This is just the case, plate and screws. No PCB,
switches or caps included. All PCBs that have the USB port
at the “standard” position on the left will fit - just check
if the plate supports the layout you want.
UPDATES:
27.03.2018
22.03.2018
12.03.2018
- updated TL;DR
- small plate update
- still waiting for the samples, will arrive soon
07.02.2018
30.01.2018
22.01.2018
17.12.2017
13.12.2017
08.12.2017
06.12.2017
[- bead-blasted finish
- screws
- order step size
- pricing](https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=92403.msg2532039#msg2532039)
26.11.2017
- new renderings of 75%
- first try to determine the plate layouts:
-
-
-
-
-
20.11.2017
- decision change: all 60% versions (Standard, WKL, HHKB, YAS) AND 75% (-> link top post)
- evaluating the possibility of sandblasting before anodizing for higher quality finish (-> link to post)
16.11.2017
- decision: it’s a 60%, REALLY?! or is 75% 
“Everyone gets his 60” or “keep it simple”
More
The form shows, that all 60% versions combined make up for
well over 50% of the total votes and the vast majority wants
the case to be high profile and some wish for a lower angle
than 8° degree. Changing the design to make the 6° angle
possible might seem like no big deal, but it did take a
while. High profile it is now and the caps sink in 2mm deep.
Going for a 60% case seems to be the obvious choice after
looking at 119 votes. Now there are two possible ways we
might go for:
A) Making only the
standard 60% with one universal plate. The 60% group is
pretty defragmented and this would mean I could probably
only rise enough interest for a relatively low production
count. The prices would be as already mention when I started
this thread. Maybe we would reach around 20 units I guess.
So we wouldn’t be enough to advance to the more attractive
midrange pricing zone.
B) Offer all
60% versions (standard, WKL, HHKB and YAS) so every
60%-supporter gets exactly what he wants, including a plate
that fits his version. This way we could get way past the 50
units mark, maybe even higher. But although the overall
production count number would be higher than A, the price
per unit would still be higher because it is not an order of
just three parts anymore but many different parts
instead.
Also it would be impossible to name a specific
price up front. I would only know the pricing after I know
exactly how many orders are safe. I could only estimate a
price range and hope I’m not mistaken. Buyers would have to
agree to that. Managing all the different orders would also
be quite a challenge.
I’m waiting for your opinion on
this. I put up a second google form, so I can decide which
way we will go. I’m still working out some details with the
manufacturer regarding a more complex, mixed order and I
hope I can give a rough price range soon.
All the sixties!
I hope you like the new renderings, they now show the
different 60% versions with different angles starting at 6
degrees.
I also threw in some more colors. You’ve seen
the classic beige with red accent Enter+Esc Mods already in
the first renderings. Here I wanna point out again Wodans
work on his HADapter GB awhile ago, which made it possible
to make use of the old HAD sets on modern layouts. He’ll do
another round soon
so we can make even more use of the all the HAD sets we can
harvest from old G80/G81s.
Since HHKB is pretty popular
I looked at some original HHKB models. The Black with red
accents are pretty nice, so I tried to ported this style
into the GMK color universe.
YAS color theme - well
just another try.
The colors should just give you a
better impression what a final keyboard with the case might
look like.
Here you go:
Hi,
More
I’m Plastikschnittstelle and I designed a keyboard case. Why
did I do that? Like many of you, I felt that no keyboard
from any brand could make me happy. So I looked at some of
the custom cases available via GroupBuys at Deskthority and
Geekhack. All the solutions I found were CNC milled and they
are very sweet. Especially after experiencing some of them
at the
Mechanicon a few weeks back in Frankfurt, I was really impressed with them. However the drawback
is, that they are quite expensive and not all of us want or
can afford the price. I have some experience in designs
which utilize laser cutting and bending aluminum sheets, and
I thought that this method might be perfect to achieve a
sturdy design while still be affordable.
Concept
More
It is supposed to be more a system than a case that focuses
specifically on one certain PCB or layout. There is one
universal bottom part and different top parts. Top parts are
for now medium-height profile, full-height profile and
full-height profile with integrated wrist-rest. The one with
integrated wrist-rest is at this time no choice because I
need a prototype first in order to make sure it is as good
as I imagine it to be.
Design
More
Designing a keyboard case is pretty straightforward.
Switches and PCB are the main ingredients which require
certain dimensions. I added the features I desired and tried
to harmonize them with the requirements. I tried to design
as less as possible and keep it simple. The decision for a
material thickness of 3mm in combination with the mounting
method of the plate lead to a pretty wide frame. The
thickness should also ensure a rigidity similar to CNC cases
and contribute to gain a certain weight. 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. For
the surface finish I made the obvious choice - anodizing. No
special colors, black goes well with most keycap sets.
Height adjustability
More
The height can be adjusted between four different angles 8,
10, 12 and 14 degrees. Only the one with integrated
wrist-rest is not adjustable in height, its angle is fixed
at 10 degree. Personally I prefer 12 degree, although I have
to admit, that it is the only angle I have tried with the
prototype so far. 14 may seem a bit too much for most, but I
guess it might go well with old-style keycap-profiles like
SA.
Keep it low
More
By this I don’t mean the profile height or the overall
height. What I mean is specifically the “initial” height of
the lowest row, the one with the spacebar - I want it to be
as low as possible.
If this lowest row starts too high,
the case gets uncomfortable to use. Ergonomically that
doesn’t make much sense, only the addition of a wrist-rest
makes too high cases comfortable to use. But that’s just my
opinion, maybe this is not a concern for you.
There is
of course a limit of how low you can accomplish and I think
I’m at this limit. In order to compare I suggest measuring
the height of switch stems tip. You may take of a Ctrl-cap
for example, take your preferred measuring tool and look
what you get. My case has roughly 22.5mm (excluding the
rubber feet).
Plate
More
Especially the mounting of the plate at its outer edges was
very important to me. The other approach with some scattered
standoff points reaching from the back, through the PCB is
something I very much dislike. On the one hand this commonly
used approach allows for a thin frame, but on the other hand
it influences the typing experience in a bad way. I might be
wrong here but the “edge-mounting-method” is the way I want
to go with.
Layout
More
The plate of the prototype is aluminium as well. For the
final design I consider a steel plate. I’m not a fan of
universal plates. This may be good for achieving a higher
production count but I wouldn’t like to sacrifice stability
and therefore get a less good typing experience. I
understand that the plate should allow more than just one
layout option but not so much that you end up with more
openings than material. Especially separating between ANSI
and ISO would be very nice, but I’m not sure how much two or
more different plates would influence the final price.
No PCB
More
Sadly I can’t offer you a combination of case and PCB. I’d
really liked the case to be accompanied by a custom PCB, but
designing PCBs is not part of my skillset. So we got to
stick to what’s available. That’s why a 65% layout is
probably not an option. Keyclack sold a 65% PCB separately
some time ago - that’s the PCB in my prototype build. 60% is
probably the most obvious choice because of the wide
availability. I also suggest 75% - KBDfans sell such a PCB
separately. I’ve ordered there twice and I was very
satisfied. They answer questions super fast, offer fair
prices and I was surprised by the fast delivery. To my
knowledge, they are the only “mecha-supply-shop” that offers
a 75% PCB separately.
Prototype
More
Some of you may have already spotted the prototype at the
Mechanicon a few weeks back. I was really happy to find out,
that very good pictures had been taken and already some
comments about it popped up. At the Mechanicon I could
collect some much appreciated feedback (special thanks to
kekstee). My prototype happens to be the version with medium
profile. The feedback I got lets me believe, that a high
profile will be the more popular one. After pfefferig the
medium profile at first I am also more drawn to the high
profile now.
The aluminium alloy of the prototype is of
lower quality. A higher quality alloy for the final version
should result in a slightly better anodizing finish. You can
also see the marks left by the tools from the bending
process. A protection layer will be added in a final
production, so these kind of marks will not be visible.
Pictures
More
The renderings show the following examples:
- SKB60H: 60%, high-profile, @ 10°
- SKB60H: 60%, high-profile, @ 10° (YAS62)
- SKB65M: 65%, medium-profile, @ 12°
- SKB75H: 75%, high-profile, @ 10°
-
SKB75W: 75%, high-profile + wrist-rest, @ 10°
First I wanted to keep the caps as neutral as possible and went with OG classic beige with some HADapter caps but I got bored, so I threw in just a bit of color and also some black. The keycap colors on the 65% version are inspired by this interest check on Deskthority. At the moment the lordzebu (the guy who startet the IC) is too busy right now for running a GB, but I’m sure he’ll get back to it, hopefully sooner than later.
The first of the two 60% versions would require a PCB from a GB here at Geekhack. I’m in with two PCBs.
The 60% high-profile show the latest version. Note that the top edge reaches 1mm above the lower edge of a cherry-style/GMK cap. The 75% version with high-profile show an older version where the top edge is at the same level as the lower edge of a cherry-style/GMK cap.
The graphics show the different possible angles, dimensions of the initial height and explosion.
The photos show the prototype which is a medium-height profile version. At the Mechanicon pictures of this prototype were already taken, you can find them over here and there.
Expectations
More
Please be aware that this case is made of 3mm aluminium
sheets which get laser cut, bent and anodized. Do not expect
the same level of precision as of CNC milled parts. Of
course everything fits perfectly, just as it does with the
prototype, but CNC milling is another level. Furthermore be
aware, that the CNC cases I saw were all sandblasted before
being anodized, which also contributes to a higher end
finish. So it will never be as perfect as CNC parts or as
the renderings may suggest. Renderings are regarded as an
artistic representation.
However, if it should come to
a GB, the final case will be of higher quality than the
prototype. Slight design changes, better alloy, resulting in
nicer anodizing finish and no marks from the tooling.
Made in Germany
More
I live in Germany and here we have plenty of companies that
specialize in making high precision parts from sheet metal.
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.
Of course, a chines’ factory would
probably offer a better price but I don’t know for sure what
quality I will end up with. Finding the right company in
China is by far too much effort for me - especially because
I don’t even know if anyone is interested in this case at
all.
I trust the local companies, communication is
smooth and efficient and they deliver quickly.
So if,
then made in Germany it will be.
Pricing (Update)
More
Expected pricing:
20 Units: ~135
50 Units: ~105
100
Units: ~92
Yes, I had hoped for a lower price, but that
is probably not possible when manufacturing in Germany. Only
high quantities can make the price appealing. There is still
a lot that may change and have an effect on the price but if
so, it would probably get cheaper.
You would get the
three main parts (bottom, top and plate) as well as screws
(all M3), nuts, washers and rubber feet.
I would
consider world wide shipping.
UPDATE:
this pricing
structure refers to to initial proposal which was only ONE
case version with ONE plate. since then, many changes have
been made and a lot of different versions will be combined
in one order / GB. like mentioned many times already I can’t
predict the new pricing but it will definitely be more
expensive. I’m still figuring out a reliable price range.
What to decide on
More
- any interest at all? (yes)
- what size: 60%, 65%, 75% or else? (->60%)
- plate material: anodized aluminium or blank steel?
- what layouts to support?
- not the color!
GUDE!