Orca 60 OG
(https://i.imgur.com/WWvvQNM.jpg)
-Inspiration-
Mounting: The mounting of this board is inspired by the Lodestone designed by Jae/Flex.
Although I've always thought that the idea of a magnet mounted board would be cool, I never thought it was possible until I saw their design.
However, being an FPS guy, I wanted to create a magnet mounted board in a 60 format with slim bezels to allow additional room for my mouse.
Additionally, I've implemented my own unique solution for the magnets, plate alignment, and isolation.
Sound: Like many other 60 enthusiasts, my favorite sound signature of all time from a 60 has got to be the OTD 356 mini.
Though it would be impossible to recreate the sound profile without directly copying their design,
this was definitely the benchmark I was aiming for and I am quite pleased with the results.
Aesthetics: I am clearly influenced by the aesthetics of many great designs/designers from this community.
Some of the main influences include OTD, TGR, Keycult, Lin, ai03, RAMA, Quantrik, and LSJ just to name a few.
-Motivation-
The motivation behind the creation of this board is quite simple,
I wanted to create the ultimate typing experience in a premium yet minimal 60.
As my daily driver, this board has brought me an immeasurable amount of joy during these strange times and
now I'd like to share my creation with the rest of the community in hopes that it might bring you joy as well.
-Explanation-
(https://i.imgur.com/yGEVhzu.jpg)
4 N35 strip magnets are installed on the bottom case and 4 N35 strip magnets are installed on the protruding fins of the plate.
The magnets are oriented so that the like poles will be facing each other creating repulsion.
The fins of the plate fit into slots in the top case which are lined with Poron gasket.
The gaskets surrounding the perimeter of the plate fins are also lined with PTFE strips over the Poron gaskets
creating a plate guide that keeps the plate aligned, absorbs vibration, and provides isolation.
This allows for smooth and silent vertical movement while preventing any horizontal movement.
The result is a mounting solution that achieves a clean sound profile with 100% plate isolation and a forgiving typing experience.
-Specifications-
- 6061-T6 Aluminum case with a hand-sanded, glass bead-blasted, and anodized finish
- 316 Stainless steel weight raw with a hand-sanded and glass bead-blasted finish
- 5052 Aluminum full or half plate with a hand-sanded, glass bead-blasted, and anodized finish
- N35 Neodymium magnet mounting solution with 2mm of plate travel/flex
- WT60-C PCB in black
- Genuine Poron polyurethane gaskets
- Poron/PTFE plate guides
- M2 Socket head black-oxide alloy steel screws
- Genuine translucent 3M bumpons
- 7-degree typing angle
- Low front height just under 18mm (under 20mm with 3M bumpons installed)
- WKL only, split right shift only, full or split backspace, stepped or regular caps lock (can have full right shift if WT60-D is used)
- Available in Obsidian Black, Anthracite Gray, or Palladium Silver
- ~3.4 Pounds or ~1540 grams fully built
- 25 unit limit to be raffled and this variant will never be offered again
- 1 unit per person
- $650
- CONUS only
-Contents-
- 1 x 6061-T6 Aluminum Top case
- 1 x 6061-T6 Bottom Case
- 1 x 316 Stainless Steel Weight
- 1 x 5052 Aluminum Plate (Full or Half)
- 1 x WT60-C PCB in black
- 8 x N35 Neodymium Magnets
- 4 x Slim Poron Gaskets
- 4 x Wide Poron Gaskets (to be used with PTFE strips as plate guides)
- 4 x PTFE plate guide strips
- 4 x 3M SJ5382 Bumpons
- 6 x M2 x 8mm Black Oxide Alloy Steel Socket Head Screws
- 6 x M2 x 3mm Black Oxide Alloy Steel Socket Head Screws
- 1 x Wera 3950 PKL Stainless Long Arm Ballpoint 1.5mm Hex Key
-Prototype-
After 3 iterations of prototypes, this is the final product. Over the course of prototyping, there have been various changes which include:
materials, surface finishing, magnets, size of screws, tolerances, fillets, chamfers, bumpons, size of weight, engraving, USB cutout, etc
Obsidian Black Prototype
(https://i.imgur.com/SN5h4Jr.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Ygwp03d.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/KMDmTrZ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/BF3T6U3.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9yFzb9h.jpg)
-Other Colors-
Anthracite Gray
(https://i.imgur.com/jK4U3a5.png)
Palladium Silver
(https://i.imgur.com/GXIvUqZ.png)
Note that these samples have gone through a different surface finishing procedure than the keyboard so it's likely that the board will come out in a much nicer color.
Also, these pictures were sent from our manufacturer hence the poor image quality.
-Typing Sounds / Flex Demonstration-
-Build Specs-
Plate: 5052 Aluminum Half Plate
Switches: Cherry MX Black (Krytox 205g0/Deskey Films)
Springs: Sprit 63.5 S (Krytox 106)
Stabilizers: Zeal (Krytox 205g0/206g2)
Keycaps: GMK Olivia++
-Notes-
- Magnets and Gaskets will be preinstalled
- Replacement Poron gasket strips, PTFE strips, and Magnets will be made available
- Option for zinc plated screws will be made available as well
- Plates will be anodized to match the choice of case color
- If you like crispy clacks I recommend a half plate
- If you like creamy thocks I recommend a full plate
- Half plate alphas have a more singular isolated feel and sound with a crisp bottom out
- Full plate alphas have great rebounding pop with softer typing feel and sound
- NGL this board feels amazing you need to try it
-Links-
Interest Check Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqi6ksCldnsTxmhP2w6XM01QypcmV7hjJziN53xEwaO-LipA/viewform?usp=sf_link (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqi6ksCldnsTxmhP2w6XM01QypcmV7hjJziN53xEwaO-LipA/viewform?usp=sf_link)
Website: orcabuilds.com (http://orcabuilds.com)
Instagram: instagram.com/orcabuilds (http://instagram.com/orcabuilds)
Discord: discord.gg/JYumTqS (http://discord.gg/JYumTqS)
-Thank you-
- Thank you Jae/Flex for innovating and inspiring me
- Thanks Taeha for getting me into this hobby
- Thanks Quantrik for making a case design tutorial on youtube
- Thanks to all my friends/family who have encouraged me to share my project
-10/20/20 Updates-
- This release will be renamed to Orca 60 OG as a limited variant
- 25 unit limit to be raffled and this variant will never be offered again
- WKL only
- We will take measures to reduce the cost of the regular Orca 60 to be released on a later date (different materials, surface finishing, and possibly manufacturer)
- Tsangan layout will be offered with the release of the normal variant
- WT60-C PCB in black confirmed
- Magnets and gaskets will come preinstalled at the same price
-12/1/20 Updates-
- Over the past month and a half we've been assessing manufacturers to reduce the price of the Orca 60 while maintaining a similar level of quality. Of the seven manufacturers we've assessed, one has met our criteria. We are currently in negotiation and will have them produce a prototype for us. We will have updates in pricing shortly.
- We will be hiring a quality control agent overseas for third party inspection of the boards before they get shipped to the US. There will effectively be three rounds of quality control; one from the manufacturer, one from our agent before shipping to US, and one from myself before they are shipped to the customer.
- Custom packaging has been received and rejected because quality did not meet expectations. I have decided to provide a custom TX style carrying case with every order instead. Custom carrying case design has been completed and prototype has been ordered.
- We will be testing other plate materials to achieve even more consistency in flex and sound. Aluminum full plate is very consistent but could be a little less stiff so FR4 and PC full plates will be tested. The aluminum half plate is very consistent as well but could be a little more stiff so titanium and stainless steel half plates will be tested.