Author Topic: [IC] Custom MX/ALPS mini Keyboard (07-16 Update) (Read 32879 times)

calavera · « **on:** Mon, 17 June 2013, 05:33:01 »

Since there doesn't seem to be enough interest for PCB/plate only, I've talked to GON and made a complete kit an option.
Note that to build this board (ALPS or MX) you'll need to source your own switches and key caps.

PCB Specs:

Alps/MX hybrid - solder holes for both ALPS and MX
PS/2 NKRO (USB may or may not be an option)
Full LED support (full on/off, light up on press, light off on press, fading aka "breathing"..etc)
Dual bottom row: Winkeyless* (1.5 mods and 7 space bar) or Winkey (1.25 mods and 6.25 space bar)
SMD soldering may be required

Compatible cases:

LZ MX mini/SE aluminium
GON's NS MX-mini case
GON's NS Alps-mini case (if MOQ is reached)

*For reference, here is a winkeyless layout:

So you have two choices:

Kit 1: Alps/MX PCB ($30-40*) + Alps plate for LZ cases ($25-35*)
Kit 2: Alps/MX PCB ($30-40*) + GON ALPS-mini case** ($160*)

*Price is just a rough estimate. Does not include shipping & handling fees.
**GON ALPS-mini case will only be possible if Kit 2 MOQ reaches 20.

For GON's current line up of cases go here

Current List:

calavera (kit1 x3, kit2 x1)
Batmann (kit1 x1, kit2 x1)
tgujay (kit1 x1)
ekw808 (kit1 x1)
hellocodes (kit1 x2)
hoasican2004 (kit1 x2) if acrylic case is available
Batmann (kit1 x1, kit2 x1)
hellocodes (kit1 x1, kit2 x1)
agodinhost (kit1 x2)
AKIMbO (kit2 x1)
Grimey (kit1 x2)
Kayliss (kit2 x1)
MTManiac (kit1x 2)

Interest check for Alps key caps is up: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45879.0

Batmann · « **Reply #1 on:** Mon, 17 June 2013, 05:51:22 »

highly interested, count me in

quochung1989 · « **Reply #2 on:** Mon, 17 June 2013, 06:54:18 »

What material do you produce plate? Mica, stainless steel or aluminum ....

calavera · « **Reply #3 on:** Mon, 17 June 2013, 19:57:10 »

Most likely steel. Still considering aluminium too though.

AKIMbO · « **Reply #4 on:** Mon, 17 June 2013, 20:02:15 »

Dude....why no case. I need a case too!

calavera · « **Reply #5 on:** Mon, 17 June 2013, 20:09:44 »

I might be able to find plans for an acrylic case so people can build their own but that's the extent of it.

boost · « **Reply #6 on:** Mon, 17 June 2013, 20:27:33 »

This can expand beyond the lz mx.

calavera · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 17 June 2013, 20:30:49 »

Sure, the PCB could be made to be universal (like multiple USB/PS2 locations) but the plate will be exclusive to the case design due to mounting locations.

boost · « **Reply #8 on:** Mon, 17 June 2013, 20:43:02 »

It wouldn't he hard to make an aluminum case once the plate is made.

calavera · « **Reply #9 on:** Mon, 17 June 2013, 20:46:33 »

I could look into it but a full alu case wont be cheap and I really don't even know where to start.

boost · « **Reply #10 on:** Mon, 17 June 2013, 20:48:18 »

You'll need the pcb specs and plate file to start a case.

calavera · « **Reply #11 on:** Mon, 17 June 2013, 20:56:23 »

Currently I have the basic outlines for the plate and PCB. So designing a case around it should be easy enough.

tgujay · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue, 18 June 2013, 07:53:39 »

Custom ALPS PCB and plate? Count me in.

ekw808 · « **Reply #13 on:** Tue, 18 June 2013, 08:40:36 »

I'd be in for 1

Batmann · « **Reply #14 on:** Tue, 18 June 2013, 08:54:29 »

Any idea of MOQ for an LZ alps plate and PCB?
a Trik pcb would be an even bigger turn on

calavera · « **Reply #15 on:** Tue, 18 June 2013, 17:47:20 »

Ideally 20 PCB's but at this rate not sure if we can reach even half. Will update post with list of people interested.

tgujay · « **Reply #16 on:** Tue, 18 June 2013, 20:11:43 »

Quote from: calavera on Tue, 18 June 2013, 17:47:20

Ideally 20 PCB's but at this rate not sure if we can reach even half. Will update post with list of people interested.

If we reach 20 how much would each PCB be? If they're cheap enough I would be in for a couple.

calavera · « **Reply #17 on:** Tue, 18 June 2013, 20:53:31 »

I was being generous with the price estimate in OP but I won't have exact pricing until the PCB design is finished and ready for production.

tgujay · « **Reply #18 on:** Tue, 18 June 2013, 21:05:16 »

Quote from: calavera on Tue, 18 June 2013, 20:53:31

I was being generous with the price estimate in OP but I won't have exact pricing until the PCB design is finished and ready for production.

Generous high or low?

calavera · « **Reply #19 on:** Tue, 18 June 2013, 21:10:56 »

High. But everything is subject to change. This may even not happen so we'll see.

tgujay · « **Reply #20 on:** Tue, 18 June 2013, 21:28:37 »

Quote from: calavera on Tue, 18 June 2013, 21:10:56

High. But everything is subject to change. This may even not happen so we'll see.

Make it happen Captain! I believe in you!

calavera · « **Reply #21 on:** Wed, 19 June 2013, 02:48:14 »

Updated thread to reflect changes.

tgujay · « **Reply #22 on:** Wed, 19 June 2013, 07:05:13 »

By being both ALPS and MX compatible would it be separate traces or could you have both at the same time like ALPS 37 with MX numpad or something?

calavera · « **Reply #23 on:** Wed, 19 June 2013, 08:01:57 »

You can combine it however you like. Both alps and mx solder points share the same trace.

tgujay · « **Reply #24 on:** Wed, 19 June 2013, 08:08:37 »

Quote from: calavera on Wed, 19 June 2013, 08:01:57

You can combine it however you like. Both alps and mx solder points share the same trace.

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiicceeeeeeeeee.

calavera · « **Reply #25 on:** Wed, 19 June 2013, 20:48:25 »

Actually I should clarify. Alps switches won't be as "secure" compared to real alps plates because the plate needs to accommodate both cherry and MX.
In a real alps plate, the switch is secured on all four sides where as in this hybrid plate the alps switch is only held on by two sides. But since they're soldered to the PCB this shouldn't cause any problems. And because of this, MX switches cannot be opened once soldered on.

calavera · « **Reply #26 on:** Wed, 19 June 2013, 21:27:06 »

To make things easier, I'm thinking the space bar will be fixed as a cherry switch.
This way I only need to work out a fix for the left shift, enter and backspace stabilizers.

tgujay · « **Reply #27 on:** Wed, 19 June 2013, 21:35:15 »

Quote from: calavera on Wed, 19 June 2013, 21:27:06

To make things easier, I'm thinking the space bar will be fixed as a cherry switch.
This way I only need to work out a fix for the left shift, enter and backspace stabilizers.

Make it ALPS only? We already have a custom MX board and honsetly I feel like an ALPS/MX hybrid board would just be weird.

pshay · « **Reply #28 on:** Thu, 20 June 2013, 00:14:42 »

If you produced a LZ-SE keyboard, I'll buy it.
Lz-se's side of the arc look good. It's my dream keyboard！
Forgive my poor english.

calavera · « **Reply #29 on:** Thu, 20 June 2013, 00:24:34 »

Quote from: pshay on Thu, 20 June 2013, 00:14:42

If you produced a LZ-SE keyboard, I'll buy it.
Lz-se's side of the arc look good. It's my dream keyboard！
Forgive my poor english.

Absolutely NOT gonna happen.

codyeatworld · « **Reply #30 on:** Thu, 20 June 2013, 00:34:10 »

I'd be interested in 2! and maybe 1 if there are acrylic cases?

hoasican2004 · « **Reply #31 on:** Thu, 20 June 2013, 02:21:20 »

Quote from: hellocodes on Thu, 20 June 2013, 00:34:10

I'd be interested in 2! and maybe 1 if there are acrylic cases?

I do, too

calavera · « **Reply #32 on:** Thu, 20 June 2013, 03:00:50 »

My guess is acrylic cases will cost anywhere between 80-100ish.

I contacted GON because his cases have superior materials, quality, and finish. If I narrow down the color choices down to TWO only, pricing of a GON case will be slightly lower than 160. That's quite reasonable for anodized aluminium/acrylic combo imo.

tgujay · « **Reply #33 on:** Thu, 20 June 2013, 07:28:44 »

Quote from: calavera on Thu, 20 June 2013, 03:00:50

My guess is acrylic cases will cost anywhere between 80-100ish.

I contacted GON because his cases have superior materials, quality, and finish. If I narrow down the color choices down to TWO only, pricing of a GON case will be slightly lower than 160. That's quite reasonable for anodized aluminium/acrylic combo imo.

I just want a custom ALPS PCB :/

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #34 on:** Thu, 20 June 2013, 07:30:12 »

Quote from: tgujay on Thu, 20 June 2013, 07:28:44

I just want a custom ALPS PCB :/

If you can't get a PCB from this buy, you might be able to get one from the GH60 Alps project or the TKL Alps board. You could also check those out.

Batmann · « **Reply #35 on:** Thu, 20 June 2013, 07:37:25 »

Sounds good Calavera, good job
I'll go for 1x kit1 for sure and maybe 1x kit2 depending on the payment deadline

codyeatworld · « **Reply #36 on:** Thu, 20 June 2013, 07:52:21 »

Quote from: Batmann on Thu, 20 June 2013, 07:37:25

Sounds good Calavera, good job
I'll go for 1x kit1 for sure and maybe 1x kit2 depending on the payment deadline

Same here!

Quote from: calavera on Thu, 20 June 2013, 03:00:50

My guess is acrylic cases will cost anywhere between 80-100ish.

I contacted GON because his cases have superior materials, quality, and finish. If I narrow down the color choices down to TWO only, pricing of a GON case will be slightly lower than 160. That's quite reasonable for anodized aluminium/acrylic combo imo.

So I guess itll be up to me to find an acrylic case.

$160 is a great price, I think its polycarbonate not acrylic for his cases too.

agodinhost · « **Reply #37 on:** Thu, 20 June 2013, 09:02:56 »

Interested on 2x Kit 1 here.

AKIMbO · « **Reply #38 on:** Thu, 20 June 2013, 11:43:09 »

Interested in one kit #2

Grimey · « **Reply #39 on:** Thu, 20 June 2013, 12:07:19 »

Interested in 2x kit #1.

Kayliss · « **Reply #40 on:** Thu, 20 June 2013, 16:19:39 »

Interested in kit #2.

GON's cases are really great quality, certainly $160 is a good price.

calavera · « **Reply #41 on:** Thu, 20 June 2013, 17:17:42 »

If you guys agree on one color GON said he can have the cases made for less than $150. Will update thread with list of people interesred.

pasph · « **Reply #42 on:** Thu, 20 June 2013, 17:33:16 »

What will be pre-sodered on PCB?

calavera · « **Reply #43 on:** Thu, 20 June 2013, 19:31:14 »

Quote from: pasph on Thu, 20 June 2013, 17:33:16

What will be pre-sodered on PCB?

Can't say for sure right now. Still working out details on plates and PCB.

codyeatworld · « **Reply #44 on:** Thu, 20 June 2013, 23:42:56 »

Quote from: calavera on Thu, 20 June 2013, 17:17:42

If you guys agree on one color GON said he can have the cases made for less than $150. Will update thread with list of people interesred.

What about the hard anodized gray?

calavera · « **Reply #45 on:** Fri, 21 June 2013, 00:04:16 »

Whatever GON is currently offering goes, so hard anodizing is available but at additional cost from his base $160 price.

But the whole point is to narrow down color choices down to one or two to lower total cost of the kit. If there isn't 20 orders for his ALPS-mini case, it won't happen.

AKIMbO · « **Reply #46 on:** Fri, 21 June 2013, 05:15:44 »

Quote from: hellocodes on Thu, 20 June 2013, 23:42:56

Quote from: calavera on Thu, 20 June 2013, 17:17:42
If you guys agree on one color GON said he can have the cases made for less than $150. Will update thread with list of people interesred.

What about the hard anodized gray?

I'm cool with grey hard anno

agodinhost · « **Reply #47 on:** Fri, 21 June 2013, 14:15:22 »

any dark color would be good for me.
no for pink, lemon green or other alien colors here.

pasph · « **Reply #48 on:** Fri, 21 June 2013, 17:16:28 »

Interested in kit2 but don't want to do SMD soldering and want a preloaded firmware
Color: not pink

agodinhost · « **Reply #49 on:** Mon, 08 July 2013, 07:34:34 »

Guys, please, I do need some help here:

Calavera reference design, using 19,00mm

Sometime ago I did asked about the 1U correct size and Matt3o said it was 19,00mm. A few posts later I think that JD/WFD mentioned that the correct dimension would be 19,05 exactly.

To get an exact match with Calavera reference design above I do need to use 1U = 19,00mm.
That's okay?

News:

Author Topic: [IC] Custom MX/ALPS mini Keyboard (07-16 Update) (Read 32879 times)