[GB] The Enabler [Shipped] Shared on OshPark

[swill]

Would be interested in seeing some examples of how people could use these PCBs to produce a final keyboard.

Such as what plates they are thinking of buying, the casing, the controller (teensy?) and other materials required.

I'm a real newb with this and I don't have any plans yet, so any direction as to what others are planning would be helpful. A brief step by step guide would be nice to, doesn't even have to be that detailed.

I am planning to hand wire an Ergodox with these and a teensy.  I still need to figure out how I am going to do the io expander, but that should be a solvable problem.  I am getting the plates from AKmalamute's GB.  This is the cheapest way for me to try out the dox layout.  I require dedicated arrow keys, so I am not sure how I will manage that.

At some point I would also like to hand wire one of Matt3o's Robot-65 Elf cases. I love my FC660C and I think this would be a great board with similar properties.

[GSimon]

I am planning to hand wire an Ergodox with these and a teensy.  I still need to figure out how I am going to do the io expander, but that should be a solvable problem.  I am getting the plates from AKmalamute's GB.  This is the cheapest way for me to try out the dox layout.  I require dedicated arrow keys, so I am not sure how I will manage that.

At some point I would also like to hand wire one of Matt3o's Robot-65 Elf cases. I love my FC660C and I think this would be a great board with similar properties.

Cool thanks, I'm hoping to put together a board similar to the awesomeness of the Robot-65 Elf. Not sure how everything is layered though which is partly my confusion. For ex:

layer 1: keycaps
layer 2: switches
layer 3: plate?
layer 4: enabler pcbs?
layer 5: casing

Like, is there another layer between 4-5? Some kind of board to fixate the individual PCBs to something?

[Melvang]

I am planning to hand wire an Ergodox with these and a teensy.  I still need to figure out how I am going to do the io expander, but that should be a solvable problem.  I am getting the plates from AKmalamute's GB.  This is the cheapest way for me to try out the dox layout.  I require dedicated arrow keys, so I am not sure how I will manage that.

At some point I would also like to hand wire one of Matt3o's Robot-65 Elf cases. I love my FC660C and I think this would be a great board with similar properties.

Cool thanks, I'm hoping to put together a board similar to the awesomeness of the Robot-65 Elf. Not sure how everything is layered though which is partly my confusion. For ex:

layer 1: keycaps
layer 2: switches
layer 3: plate?
layer 4: enabler pcbs?
layer 5: casing

Like, is there another layer between 4-5? Some kind of board to fixate the individual PCBs to something?

There is nothing that the PCBs attach to aside from the switch.  The switch is mounted to the plate, and the plate is attached to the case.  Using these you do not attach the pcbs to the case.  They have to be plate mounted switches.

[swill]

I am planning to hand wire an Ergodox with these and a teensy.  I still need to figure out how I am going to do the io expander, but that should be a solvable problem.  I am getting the plates from AKmalamute's GB.  This is the cheapest way for me to try out the dox layout.  I require dedicated arrow keys, so I am not sure how I will manage that.

At some point I would also like to hand wire one of Matt3o's Robot-65 Elf cases. I love my FC660C and I think this would be a great board with similar properties.

Cool thanks, I'm hoping to put together a board similar to the awesomeness of the Robot-65 Elf. Not sure how everything is layered though which is partly my confusion. For ex:

layer 1: keycaps
layer 2: switches
layer 3: plate?
layer 4: enabler pcbs?
layer 5: casing

Like, is there another layer between 4-5? Some kind of board to fixate the individual PCBs to something?

Yes, the will be a layer between 4 and 5.  You will probably have to put spacers between the plate and the case.  Yes, you also require a plate because that is how the enabler pcb is held in place.  I plan to potentially use a silicon sheet in between the pcbs and the plate, but I am not sure that will work with these PCBs yet.  You can check my minimial case design thread to get an idea of the absolute minimum case you would need for this.  The clear 60% case I have in there with the standoffs (no silicon sheet) is probably the simplest visual for the requirements of your case and plate to case mounting.

The case...


Installed...


The gap for hand wired components...

Keep in mind that this is a 5mm acrylic plate, so you will likely have more room between the bottom of the plate and the back plate (the standoffs would be taller)

[GSimon]

There is nothing that the PCBs attach to aside from the switch.  The switch is mounted to the plate, and the plate is attached to the case.  Using these you do not attach the pcbs to the case.  They have to be plate mounted switches.

Oh ok. Some plates have notches to remove switches with a switch tool, I'm guessing this wouldn't be possible to do with these PCBs correct?

Yes, the will be a layer between 4 and 5.  You will probably have to put spacers between the plate and the case.  Yes, you also require a plate because that is how the enabler pcb is held in place.  I plan to potentially use a silicon sheet in between the pcbs and the plate, but I am not sure that will work with these PCBs yet.  You can check my minimial case design thread to get an idea of the absolute minimum case you would need for this.  The clear 60% case I have in there with the standoffs (no silicon sheet) is probably the simplest visual for the requirements of your case and plate to case mounting.

The case...

Show Image

Installed...

Show Image

The gap for hand wired components...

Show Image

Keep in mind that this is a 5mm acrylic plate, so you will likely have more room between the bottom of the plate and the back plate (the standoffs would be taller)

Thanks! Makes a lot more sense now.

[Melvang]

There is nothing that the PCBs attach to aside from the switch.  The switch is mounted to the plate, and the plate is attached to the case.  Using these you do not attach the pcbs to the case.  They have to be plate mounted switches.

Oh ok. Some plates have notches to remove switches with a switch tool, I'm guessing this wouldn't be possible to do with these PCBs correct?

Yes, the will be a layer between 4 and 5.  You will probably have to put spacers between the plate and the case.  Yes, you also require a plate because that is how the enabler pcb is held in place.  I plan to potentially use a silicon sheet in between the pcbs and the plate, but I am not sure that will work with these PCBs yet.  You can check my minimial case design thread to get an idea of the absolute minimum case you would need for this.  The clear 60% case I have in there with the standoffs (no silicon sheet) is probably the simplest visual for the requirements of your case and plate to case mounting.

The case...

Show Image

Installed...

Show Image

The gap for hand wired components...

Show Image

Keep in mind that this is a 5mm acrylic plate, so you will likely have more room between the bottom of the plate and the back plate (the standoffs would be taller)

Thanks! Makes a lot more sense now.

You can still use a plate that has those notches.  However, you don't need them to swap spring.  You can just pop the switch out of the plate without desoldering.  Pull the switch up a bit with the wires still attached.  The PCB was designed to fit through the plate holes for both MX and alps switches.  Swap your internals, put the top back on and reseat the switch in the plate.  The one time this won't be possible is when using thick plates, ie acrylic or wood plates where the switches have to be glued down.

[GSimon]

You can still use a plate that has those notches.  However, you don't need them to swap spring.  You can just pop the switch out of the plate without desoldering.  Pull the switch up a bit with the wires still attached.  The PCB was designed to fit through the plate holes for both MX and alps switches.  Swap your internals, put the top back on and reseat the switch in the plate.  The one time this won't be possible is when using thick plates, ie acrylic or wood plates where the switches have to be glued down.

Interdasting. Thanks for clarifying that!

[Melvang]

Most of the work 5hat I am using these for is refurbishing old boards.  I currently have plans for a wyse terminal board, and AEK II, and my custom board.

[swill]

You can still use a plate that has those notches.  However, you don't need them to swap spring.  You can just pop the switch out of the plate without desoldering.  Pull the switch up a bit with the wires still attached.  The PCB was designed to fit through the plate holes for both MX and alps switches.  Swap your internals, put the top back on and reseat the switch in the plate.  The one time this won't be possible is when using thick plates, ie acrylic or wood plates where the switches have to be glued down.

Assuming you leave enough slack between PCBs when you hand wire the PCBs together.  Right?

[Melvang]

You can still use a plate that has those notches.  However, you don't need them to swap spring.  You can just pop the switch out of the plate without desoldering.  Pull the switch up a bit with the wires still attached.  The PCB was designed to fit through the plate holes for both MX and alps switches.  Swap your internals, put the top back on and reseat the switch in the plate.  The one time this won't be possible is when using thick plates, ie acrylic or wood plates where the switches have to be glued down.

Assuming you leave enough slack between PCBs when you hand wire the PCBs together.  Right?

Correct

[nathairtras]

Paid.  Now I just have to figure out what to do with them once they show up... 

[Noko]

Paid

[GSimon]

I have another question.

I want to participate in the Ivan's Cherry Stab group buy: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=60789.0

Am I looking for Plate or PCB mounted stabs? Or can it be either depending the project I intend to use these for?

Thanks

[geniekid]

The Enabler PCBs for larger keys do support stabilizers I think, but that doesn't mean you have to use them.  So either type of stabs will work depending on what you want to do.

[jdcarpe]

The Enabler PCBs for larger keys do support stabilizers I think, but that doesn't mean you have to use them.  So either type of stabs will work depending on what you want to do.

Well said, geniekid.

[GSimon]

The Enabler PCBs for larger keys do support stabilizers I think, but that doesn't mean you have to use them.  So either type of stabs will work depending on what you want to do.

Cool thanks, was kind of hoping it would be one or the other, because now I feel like buying both incase XD

[swill]

The Enabler PCBs for larger keys do support stabilizers I think, but that doesn't mean you have to use them.  So either type of stabs will work depending on what you want to do.

Cool thanks, was kind of hoping it would be one or the other, because now I feel like buying both incase XD

The prices for ivan's GB are awesome. You can basically buy both sets for what you pay for one set elsewhere (not quite).

[McWilloughby]

Paid, I guess I should do some harvesting in anticipation for this..

[GSimon]

...

[AKmalamute]

Received my plates last week

This *might* be the wrong thread.

 ...just sayin' ...

[GSimon]

Received my plates last week

This *might* be the wrong thread.

 ...just sayin' ...

lol, so focused on my typing with this dox

[Melvang]

Second post has been updated with payment info that i have received.  Reminders going out to the three that I have not heard from yet.

[mashby]

Second post has been updated with payment info that i have received.  Reminders going out to the three that I have not heard from yet.

Three isn't all that bad. Nice job!

Please let us know if you find that the numbers drop below a certain MOQ, or square space if any more drop out.

[Melvang]

Second post has been updated with payment info that i have received.  Reminders going out to the three that I have not heard from yet.

Three isn't all that bad. Nice job!

Please let us know if you find that the numbers drop below a certain MOQ, or square space if any more drop out.

Even if everyone that has not paid drops out we are still good on price tiers.

[Melvang]

The two remaining orders unpaid were canceled.  And the order email has been sent.  I will provide updates when I get them.

[Melvang]

I got a reply back from Dan over at OshPark.  I will get this invoice paid in the morning when I get off work.  Here is a snippet from his response.

Hi Chris Hurlbut,
OK! I think we've gotten everything set up for you. We weren't quite able to fit all of it on our medium run panel properly, so we'll be shipping the vS20 boards a week or so after the rest of them. On the good news side though, this will be heading to the fab very soon since it fills up our panel. I figured I'd let you know in case that helps you plan things out on your end.

[Melvang]

The invoice has been paid.

[Melvang]

Fabrication is complete

Hi Chris,
Oh geez! This ticket got buried somehow. We finally got all the parts back from the fab this week, and we're wrapping it up as soon as we can find a box for it.  It's a LOT of boards.

[CPTBadAss]

GhostBro is going to be so happy his new home is coming soon

[swill]

Fabrication is complete

Hi Chris,
Oh geez! This ticket got buried somehow. We finally got all the parts back from the fab this week, and we're wrapping it up as soon as we can find a box for it.  It's a LOT of boards.

this is exciting.  i just got hook up wire ordered, so thats great. 

[Melvang]

Box has showed up and I must say sorting was MUCH easier than I expected.  The single unit pcbs were kept in 25x25 grids so counting out multiple hundred pcbs was painless.

All sorting is complete and I have a set of orders in one box for domestic, and another box for international orders.  Now I just need to get the rest of the shipping materials and get everything else done.

[jdcarpe]

Saw your post in the other thread, and FYI you don't need anti static bags to ship PCBs. Every PCB I've ever received from a fab has only been shrink wrapped or wrapped in paper.

[MOZ]

Anti static bag is required only if you have sensitive components on the PCB soldered already, if there isn't anything, nothing will be fried.

[Melvang]

I will be getting this shipped out sometime this week.  I apologize for the delay.  Tends to happen when you work 12 hour days and there isn't a single minute where you are off the clock and the post office is open.  Starting monday for 3 weeks my hours at work are getting cut.  I am going from 60 to 50 hours a week and from first shift to either second or third.  Right now it is looking like it is going to be second shift, 2pm to midnight. 

All orders will be mailed the same day.

[cjhard]

Having gotten used to 66 hour weeks myself, I know exactly how that goes. Happy for the update, many thanks for putting this through

Now I just need 250 switches. For science... You've mounted switches to a cardboard box, yeah? How did that work out for you?

[Melvang]

Having gotten used to 66 hour weeks myself, I know exactly how that goes. Happy for the update, many thanks for putting this through

Now I just need 250 switches. For science... You've mounted switches to a cardboard box, yeah? How did that work out for you?

So long as you don't try and pull caps off it actually works surprisingly well.  The alps switches I used from an AEK II sat in there very snug.  All I did was held a plate over the cardboard and traced them with the finest tip pen I had in the house and cut the holes with an exacto knife.  I was just doing it for proof of concept type things.  There are a couple pics in the IC thread for these.  IIRC there is a link to that in this OP.

[Melvang]

All packages have been addressed and all customs forms have been filled out.  The one exception is i3oilermakers.  His won't fit into the bubble mailers that I got.  His will be in a box at no extra charge.

For those of you that tipped, try not to get to hasty in building your project with them.  I will have a surprise coming to you hopefully inside a week of delivery of your enabler order.  I just don't want to delay these from getting out. 

[Melvang]

All orders have been shipped as of this morning.  All domestic orders have tracking, PM me if you want the number.  All CONUS orders are expected to be delivered either Wed, or Thur this week.  International orders, I couldn't tell ya how how long it is going to take.

[tjweir]

All orders have been shipped as of this morning.  All domestic orders have tracking, PM me if you want the number.  All CONUS orders are expected to be delivered either Wed, or Thur this week.  International orders, I couldn't tell ya how how long it is going to take.

Cooool, thanks!

[cjhard]

Mine has arrived Picked it out of the mailbox earlier today. It's hard to believe having ordered a qty of 250 that the bubble mailer was so small

Thanks! Time is now to buy some switches

[geniekid]

Got mine today

Has anyone bought SMT diodes for this?  I think these are perfect based on the dimensions I see in the data sheet, but if anyone has actually used SMT diodes with their Enabler I'd love to know what you used.

[AKmalamute]

Got mine yesterday.

Is there ... like, a diagram somewhere? The only thing I can tell for sure is the anode-cathode marking for, I guess an SMT LED, since the pictures show the 1N4148 being on a different side from that. Rows, Columns? I'll look again tonight but there's a lot more holes on that then I somehow had it in my head there would be ... and not much room left over for silkscreen diagramming.

[geniekid]

Got mine yesterday.

Is there ... like, a diagram somewhere? The only thing I can tell for sure is the anode-cathode marking for, I guess an SMT LED, since the pictures show the 1N4148 being on a different side from that. Rows, Columns? I'll look again tonight but there's a lot more holes on that then I somehow had it in my head there would be ... and not much room left over for silkscreen diagramming.

+1 for an updated diagram.

[MOZ]

Pad	Item	Silkscreen	Remarks
1	Resistor (External)	R	Connects resistor to external circuit/enabler/controller
2	Switch pins	None	Switch (Alps or Cherry MX) pin
3	Switch (External)	S	Connects switch to external circuit/enabler/controller
4	Switch pin	None	Switch (Alps or Cherry MX) pin
5	Diode (External)	D	Connects diode to external circuit/enabler/controller
6	Switch (External)	S	Connects switch to external circuit/enabler/controller
7	Resitor (External)	R	Connects resistor to external circuit/enabler/controller
8	Diode cathode	Solid bar	Through diode's cathode end (Side with the bar) goes here
9	LED anode	Longer leg	Through hole LED's longer leg goes here
10	LED (External)	None	Two holes two connect LED to external circuit/enabler/controller
11	LED cathode	Shorter leg	Through hole LED's shorter leg goes here
12	Diode (External)	D	Connects diode to external circuit/enabler/controller
13	Diode anode	None	Through diode's anode end goes here
A	Resistor	Enclosing box	SMD Resistor goes here, no polarity so you can orient it anyway
B	Resistor	Enclosing box	SMD Resistor goes here, no polarity so you can orient it anyway
C	Diode anode	Diode symbol	SMD diode's anode end goes here
D	Diode cathode	Diode symbol	SMD diode's cathode end (Side with the bar) goes here

1. Pads 1 & 7 - These connect resistor to external circuit and or other enablers, ideally, connect 1 from one enabler to 7 of other enabler.
2. Pads 10 - These connect LED to external circuit and or other enablers.
3. Pads 3 & 6 - These connect switch to external circuit and or other enablers, ideally, connect 3 from one enabler to 6 of other enabler. These will be the columns or rows of your switch matrix.
4. Pads 5 & 12 - These connect diode to external circuit and or other enablers, ideally, connect 5 from one enabler to 12 of other enabler. These will be the other of the two, columns or rows of the switch matrix depending on what you chose for the above.

[MOZ]

I'll upload one more image later by tomorrow, showing the internal circuit of the enabler.

EDIT: Done

[osxoep]

Mine arrived today! In the UK, BTW.

I didn't realise they were so small  )

I will take some pictures after I charge my phone and put some trousers on.

[CPTBadAss]

Ghostbro admiring his new home.

[swill]

Got mine today. Really quick shipping to Canada.

These things look great. Looking forward to having a bit of time to play with them. These renos have gotta get done first.

Thanks for doing this melvang.

[RabRhee]

I got mine today, many thanks. Although I wish you had written something under $20 for the value as putting $30 on it meant it cost me $18 in extra fees. Oh well.

[kronicd]

Damn.. I saw this one way too late.

Any chance of those files being posted so I can make my own?