[IC] Samwisekoi Designs SD-60 Programmable, Backlit 60% Keyboard

[samwisekoi]

Like many of you, I have a few 60% cases waiting for PCBs.  Today I am proposing a fast-turnaround limited run of highly-customizable 60% keyboard PCBs to fill those cases.

I present to you, my fellow GeekHackers, the Samwisekoi Designs' SD-60 Programmable, Backlit 60% Keyboard!

 - 100% through-hole components on minimum .010" centers for easy assembly.
 - Keyboard controller Teensy 2.0 (JD45 pinout compatible for use with Easy_Map firmware-generator).
 - Full backlighting.
 - Supports Cherry MX and Alps switches.
 - Stabilizer holes provided for PCB-mount stabilizers in ANSI configuration.
 - Alternative switch positions to support 100% stabilizer-free keyboard configuration.
 - Bottom row supports 6.25 ANSI spacebar, 7.0 Winkeyless spacebar, 6.0 spacebar, and dual 1.75-key split spacebar.
 - Right (and left) Shift key splits to provide a "happily hacking" layout.
 - PCB sized to match Poker/GH-60 PCB dimensions.


SD-60 60% Programmable Keyboard by samwisekoi 2015.

Board will be white on black, dual layer, and extra-thick 0.0945" 1oz. FR4 material.  (Typical PCBs are 0.063" thick.)  This extra thickness is to assist in stiffening plateless keyboards.

Cost per board at MOQ of 25 is estimated at $25 USD plus postage.  Once Group Buy starts, order will be placed at 80% of MOQ, with two-week turnaround expected.  This will be a non-profit buy.

Please post questions, comments, and expressions of interest in this thread.

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Sig auto-typed by my GH36 LH keypad.

[samwisekoi]

Interest for twenty-six (26) PCBs as of 09:40 PST on 21-Jan-2015!

So we are go for the Group buy.  Members on the list below will have first shot at the boards.  Right now it looks like a run of 30-40 PCBs only.

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Sig auto-typed by my GH36 LH keypad.

nubbinator (2)
jdcarpe (2)
iamtootallforthis
MGH
digi
neverused
CommonCurt
AKmalamute
HoffmanMyster (2)
tjweir
engicoder
evolveS
Sygaldry
Ripudio (2)
Elocutive (2)
user 18
blackkat
n0rvig
Geroximo
geniekid
CPTBadAss
---

[nubbinator]

Looking awesome.  I'll definitely be up for two.

[jdcarpe]

You know I'm in for this. Two, please.

[iamtootallforthis]

I'm down for one. I'm guessing this will fit into most cases?

[MGH]

I'm down for one (or two)

[digi]

Cool! I'd be in for a pcb =)

[Evo_Spec]

$25 + shipping? i'm in.
Would you be able to source a Teensy for me as well?

*edit* damnit i need stabs too.....

[FrostyToast]

What is up with the crazy amount of 60% PCBs recently?  )

[jdcarpe]

What is up with the crazy amount of 60% PCBs recently?  )

It's a very popular size, with existing cases.

[FrostyToast]

What is up with the crazy amount of 60% PCBs recently?  )

It's a very popular size, with existing cases.

Correct if I am wrong, but isn't this 3 60% PCBs posted within 7 days?

[jdcarpe]

What is up with the crazy amount of 60% PCBs recently?  )

It's a very popular size, with existing cases.

Correct if I am wrong, but isn't this 3 60% PCBs posted within 7 days?

Pretty sure one of those was actually this one.

[neverused]

I'm in for 1

[dante]

If this is plug and play ready for Matias keycaps && stabs I'm in for two.

[CommonCurt]

I'll get one. Maybe two.

[samwisekoi]

Wow, ok then.  Ten in an couple of hours?  I'll update OP #2, and answer some of the questions below.

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Sig auto-typed by my GH36 LH keypad.

If this is plug and play ready for Matias keycaps && stabs I'm in for two.

I have no experience with Matias keycaps or stabilizers, but I used the Matias spec for the switch mounts.  Someone with more Alps knowledge will be better able to answer this questions than I am.

I'm down for one. I'm guessing this will fit into most cases?

This will have the same dimensions as a Poker and GH-60 (although I can only measure my Poker PCBs.)  However, there will be some differences:

#1 This will have a Teensy on the backside, so that will be an issue with some cases.  I am going to do some measuring to get more data on this topic.

#2 This is going to be a thicker PCB than the Poker PCB -- mostly because the Poker was too flexy for use without a plate.  But only thicker by .03", so that may not matter.

#3  Many 60% cases have various cutouts and openings designed for a particular PCB.  This won't be an exact fit, because this isn't that exact PCB.

$25 + shipping? i'm in.
Would you be able to source a Teensy for me as well?

*edit* damnit i need stabs too.....

I can certainly buy a Teensy for you and include it in a package.  That's easy.  However, I get my stabilizers from Gon in Korea, and shipping to the US costs at least as much as the stabs themselves.

Again,  Thanks everyone for your interest!

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Sig auto-typed by my GH36 LH keypad.

[Evo_Spec]

More

$25 + shipping? i'm in.
Would you be able to source a Teensy for me as well?

*edit* damnit i need stabs too.....

I can certainly buy a Teensy for you and include it in a package.  That's easy.  However, I get my stabilizers from Gon in Korea, and shipping to the US costs at least as much as the stabs themselves.

Again,  Thanks everyone for your interest!

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Sig auto-typed by my GH36 LH keypad.

That would be awesome since i don't know where to source a Teensy in Japan. I'm guessing like another $20? any idea of what shipping to Japan would be like?
I guess i'll just add another set of stabs to my current order with him XD

Sorry, i jumped the gun like the noob that i am.
I obviously haven't built enough boards because i completely forgot to factor in the fact that i have no resistors, diodes, and stuff amonst other life reasons so i'm gonna have to back out for now....sorry....

[AKmalamute]

I want one. I'd actually like two but I'm not sure I can swing that. Put me down as a maybe on a second board.

through-hole only? I have SMDs as well as TH diodes and possibly a teensy although it's slated for the JD45 so I'll need one of those as well...

Actually there's a slight cost savings if 25 teensies are bought at once ... mayhap it's worth counting teensy interest and doing a dual-GB?

As to height, don't forget that, like with phantom construction, you can remove the plastic spacers and, with a bit of electrical tape, get the uC very close to the board.

[nubbinator]

Actually there's a slight cost savings if 25 teensies are bought at once ... mayhap it's worth counting teensy interest and doing a dual-GB?

That would be a good idea.  Teensies are kind of pricey, so I wouldn't mind paying a little more to save a little.

[Data]

I feel like I should be in on this... but I'm just not in love with 60%.

Is there something wrong with me?   

[HoffmanMyster]

I'll take 2! 

[SpAmRaY]

Keeping an eye on this. Waiting to see what comes out of the possible fit issues with the teensy.

[tjweir]

- Bottom row supports 6.25 ANSI spacebar, 7.0 Winkeyless spacebar, 6.0 spacebar, and dual 1.75-key split spacebar.
 - Right (and left) Shift key splits to provide a "happily hacking" layout.

Oh my! 

One PCB please.

[engicoder]

I'm in for 1.

[evolveS]

I'm in for one.

[DanielT]

Does it fit a stock Poker case ? If yes I would take one

[tlem]

Extra thick pcb will not work with pcb mount stabs.  0.0945" is 2.4mm, which is greater than the 1.64mm limit in this picture

[digi]

Few questions:

1) Does the PCB support Teensy Pins or would it require soldering individual wires to the pcb from the Teensy?

2) Would someone mind posting which through-hole diodes & resistors (part or model #'s) would be needed?

3) Is just the Teensy 2.0 required or the 2.0++? Not sure what the difference is between the two.

This would be my first Teensy project, sorry if my questions are noobie. =P

[jdcarpe]

Few questions:

1) Does the PCB support Teensy Pins or would it require soldering individual wires to the pcb from the Teensy?

2) Would someone mind posting which through-hole diodes & resistors (part or model #'s) would be needed?

3) Is just the Teensy 2.0 required or the 2.0++? Not sure what the difference is between the two.

This would be my first Teensy project, sorry if my questions are noobie. =P

1) Yes, but you want to be sure and remove the plastic spacers on those header pins before soldering to the PCB. You'll want the Teensy PCB as close to the keyboard PCB as possible.

2) Diodes: http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/1N4148/1N4148FS-ND/458603
Resistors are commonly through hole, 1/4-watt, 5% tolerance, carbon film. Actual value would depend on which color LEDs you would use. (Like these, but this is only an example of a 220-ohm value http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/CF14JT220R/CF14JT220RCT-ND/1830334)

3) Teensy 2.0

[Sygaldry]

Count me in for 1!

[digi]

Few questions:

1) Does the PCB support Teensy Pins or would it require soldering individual wires to the pcb from the Teensy?

2) Would someone mind posting which through-hole diodes & resistors (part or model #'s) would be needed?

3) Is just the Teensy 2.0 required or the 2.0++? Not sure what the difference is between the two.

This would be my first Teensy project, sorry if my questions are noobie. =P

1) Yes, but you want to be sure and remove the plastic spacers on those header pins before soldering to the PCB. You'll want the Teensy PCB as close to the keyboard PCB as possible.

2) Diodes: http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/1N4148/1N4148FS-ND/458603
Resistors are commonly through hole, 1/4-watt, 5% tolerance, carbon film. Actual value would depend on which color LEDs you would use. (Like these, but this is only an example of a 220-ohm value http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/CF14JT220R/CF14JT220RCT-ND/1830334)

3) Teensy 2.0

Thanks JD, here are LEDs specs:

Size: 2x3x4mm
Wavelength : 520 nm - 530 nm
Forward Voltage : 3.2 v ~ 3.4 v
Luminous Intensity ( mcd ) : 4000 ~ 5000

[Ripudio]

At that price I'll go in for two!

[berserkfan]

Ron, as awesome as this sounds, are you taking too much on yourself? You haven't finished the G36 and G122 and you are already designing a new PCB?

[jdcarpe]

Ron, as awesome as this sounds, are you taking too much on yourself? You haven't finished the G36 and G122 and you are already designing a new PCB?

Never question Ron. He's a machine. Haha!

I think the experience he gained from designing another small form factor keyboard PCB (JD45) allows him to whip up new designs quickly, and get them quoted and ordered immediately after the PCB is finished.

[FrostyToast]

Ron, as awesome as this sounds, are you taking too much on yourself? You haven't finished the G36 and G122 and you are already designing a new PCB?

Although it does seem odd, designing very unique layouts like you see in his two other designs requires a whole new level of thinking, time, and preparation. Whereas, with this idea, it's a fairly standard 60% that already has cases it can fit into. Unlike the other projects, there isn't going to be an option for a separate cable to connect two boards, or a daughter board to control a separate PCB entirely.

[Geroximo]

Hi,
I'm a total newbie at custom boards.
I have a Focus FK 2001 with complicated white ALPS which isn't working, and it seems that I cannot fix it.
Could I use the switches of the faulty FK 2001, solder them on this PCB, put it into a Poker II case, add a Teensy Controller and then have my own 60% custom alps board?
Is this possible? Is it that easy?
If so, I would take one.
Does it support ISO layout?

[samwisekoi]

Ron, as awesome as this sounds, are you taking too much on yourself? You haven't finished the G36 and G122 and you are already designing a new PCB?

Never question Ron. He's a machine. Haha!

I think the experience he gained from designing another small form factor keyboard PCB (JD45) allows him to whip up new designs quickly, and get them quoted and ordered immediately after the PCB is finished.

So actually it is both simpler and more complex at the same time.

The complex part is that I wanted to ramp up in scale and cost, so first it was the LED strips, then the GH36, then the JD45, and now this 60%.  For those who don't recall, there was also the 75% board that never got beyond hard-wiring.  Each of these PCBs has taught me how to make things simpler, more consistent, and easier to assemble.  And all of that is aiming at the GH-122.  Frankly, with the exception of the ISO Enter position, this board is the main block of the GH-122.  And the GH-36 is suffering from a serious lack of completions by the prototypers.

The simple part is that I like 60% keyboards, but they need to be programmable.  And every time I think about the 60% cases I have waiting, I want to make a 60% PCB myself.

So this board is part of a progression towards the GH-122/154 and a way for me to get my own hands on some 60% programmable keyboard PCBs.

Also, some of you may know that my actual background is in manufacturing.  You know, that thing we don't do in America any longer?  This is a way for me to do some of that.  And along those lines, I am starting to manage these PCBs in what the custom knife world calls "sprint runs", where a design is produced in a short run of limited numbers.  Because I am not doing SMT or cases or kits, or designing by committee, I can pretty quickly design and turnaround PCBs.  So I do.

Anyhow, both the GH-36 v2 and the JD45 v2 designs are fundamentally complete.  I am waiting for those prototyping rounds to complete and I can make more of both.  But in the meantime, I am going to blast out a sprint run of 60% keyboard PCBs.  And maybe another different board before I finally do the GH-122/154.

TL;DR I am making these PCBs to learn and to actually get some 60% boards into the cases I already have.

 - Ron | samwisekoi

[Acanthophis]

Will there be plates?

[jdcarpe]

the GH-36 is suffering from a serious lack of completions by the prototypers.

* jdcarpe runs and hides in shame.

[HoffmanMyster]

the GH-36 is suffering from a serious lack of completions by the prototypers.

* jdcarpe runs and hides in shame.

* HoffmanMyster joins JD.

 

[Elocutive]

In for 2.

[Heliosphere]

I've got a few newbie questions:

1. Will this require any complex wiring or is it just solder on switches and program?
2. How does one program the board, is there some software interface available somewhere?
3. Is it compatible with 60% plates or is it intended to be built PCB-only?
4. Anything else needed?

[Sygaldry]

I've got a few newbie questions:

1. Will this require any complex wiring or is it just solder on switches and program?
2. How does one program the board, is there some software interface available somewhere?
3. Is it compatible with 60% plates or is it intended to be built PCB-only?
4. Anything else needed?

Looks like it would need SMD components, controller, resistors, diodes all soldered in before soldering on the switches and LEDs.

[jdcarpe]

I've got a few newbie questions:

1. Will this require any complex wiring or is it just solder on switches and program?
2. How does one program the board, is there some software interface available somewhere?
3. Is it compatible with 60% plates or is it intended to be built PCB-only?
4. Anything else needed?

1. Solder diodes. Solder Teensy to PCB. Solder resistors and one transistor (required only if backlit). Install switches to plate (optional). Solder switches. Solder backlighting LEDs (optional).
2. Since it is pin compatible with the JD45, adding support to his Easy AVR key mapper should be trivial for metalliqaz to do. That would be the easiest way to create your firmware. Use PJRC's Teensy Loader software to flash it to the Teensy.
3. Should be compatible with most 60% plates out there.

[user 18]

I'm in for at least one of these, maybe two.

E: looking at this thread and the other, I don't see how the controller is attached to the board. I prefer to use cheap arduino boards rather than teensy boards. Will it cause a problem if the physical dimensions of the controller are a bit different?

How many rows/cols is the matrix? Looks like 15x5?

[blackkat]

I'm in for one!  Something great to do with a Pexon case, spare teensy from an xwhatsit conversion, and the clicky alps I found in a 66-key pos keyboard today 

[SpAmRaY]

I've got a few newbie questions:

1. Will this require any complex wiring or is it just solder on switches and program?
2. How does one program the board, is there some software interface available somewhere?
3. Is it compatible with 60% plates or is it intended to be built PCB-only?
4. Anything else needed?

Looks like it would need SMD components, controller, resistors, diodes all soldered in before soldering on the switches and LEDs.

OP says 100% through hole not smd.

[jdcarpe]

I'm in for at least one of these, maybe two.

E: looking at this thread and the other, I don't see how the controller is attached to the board. I prefer to use cheap arduino boards rather than teensy boards. Will it cause a problem if the physical dimensions of the controller are a bit different?

How many rows/cols is the matrix? Looks like 15x5?

There are holes with the Teensy footprint under the \ key. You could theoretically use a Pro Micro or whatever, but you would need to run wires from the Teensy mounting location off-board. Better to just bite the bullet and pay the extra $10 for a Teensy on this one. Plus you'll be supporting a small business (PJRC).

[n0rvig]

I'm in for 1 or 2 too.

[user 18]

I'm in for at least one of these, maybe two.

E: looking at this thread and the other, I don't see how the controller is attached to the board. I prefer to use cheap arduino boards rather than teensy boards. Will it cause a problem if the physical dimensions of the controller are a bit different?

How many rows/cols is the matrix? Looks like 15x5?

There are holes with the Teensy footprint under the \ key. You could theoretically use a Pro Micro or whatever, but you would need to run wires from the Teensy mounting location off-board. Better to just bite the bullet and pay the extra $10 for a Teensy on this one. Plus you'll be supporting a small business (PJRC).

If it needs a teensy, it needs a teensy, and I will happily buy one. It all depends on the matrix size -- the arduino only has 18 accessible pins, which probably isn't quite enough in any case. What with the exchange rate and shipping, the teensy is just 4x more expensive, and there's too much I want to buy right now as it is :/