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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: hkf on Sun, 27 March 2016, 20:56:54

Title: Vermillion Ergonomic II. Armored Build Log
Post by: hkf on Sun, 27 March 2016, 20:56:54: Hi GH!

This is my first Kustom and I had (maybe unfortunately) set my heart on a board that required a lot of work, including all SMD components. Needless to say it was a challenge but I think the results are worthwhile. This will also serve as a semi-review of the board as Zefyr gets his GB ready to run soonish.

As a summary for those that aren't in the know, this board is a split 65% + F Row + 10 macro keys layout. The difference between this and an ergodox is that the board can be pressed together to form one board if you are not in the mood to have a split setup. As a result the machining costs for the CNC aluminium case is somewhat high, but I think it's a worthwhile buy if you like aluminium casing and split layouts. The two halves are connected with a SATA connector. Main interface is a mini USB as usual.

The board runs off winkeyless.kr's bootmapperclient and uses an ATMEGA32A-AU chip for the main controller. This makes all case LED customisation a breeze and keymapping very easy. For reference, I used this guide here (http://kbdlab.co.kr/index.php?mid=board_tune&document_srl=3216765), with the help of google translate I was able to figure out most of it unassisted. Zefyr has been nothing but helpful in the build process! Zefyr, thank you for bringing such an amazing board to life. :thumb:

To start the build off, we have the components:

The SATA connectors require a slight modification on the top to be cut off to support switch housing. In reality I think you can do without doing this, but I didn't want to risk it as removing them after installation would prove to be very difficult.
(http://i.imgur.com/S3FGxN6.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/RFv8Cuo.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/5PFtrP2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/k464LJh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ejUy12C.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hYnt20m.jpg)

As shown the case is actually a sandwich style case, consisting of an polycarbonate diffuser and two CNC aluminium parts (struts and casing).

(http://i.imgur.com/ontseoF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vQUlY8i.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/rG29ksQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/pESVZuq.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/diQpkSy.jpg?1)

Here we have about a day's worth of progress. All the SMD components minus diodes and resistors for switches has been soldered on.

(http://i.imgur.com/N31FIIH.jpg)

First boot after some re-working on the solder joints and LEDs as well as firmware uploading (achieved by a jumper with tweezers on the PCB). Couldn't resist taking a picture of her naked ;)

(http://i.imgur.com/5FM3xWN.jpg)

Plated up and ready for switches. Don't make the same mistake as me, and remember to put in your stabilisers first! :D

(http://i.imgur.com/Yu2U1yy.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/kGdINeS.jpg)

Some more glamour without switches or caps.

(http://i.imgur.com/uvSeEs6.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/7piE1NA.jpg)

About here I realised my mistake, oops! Switches used are Zealio tactiles with 68g SPRiT springs.

(http://i.imgur.com/cw4pE9a.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/rePpdbw.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/xqIUPez.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/d9ZOyan.gif)

All is not lost, though. With some help I managed to get the issue sorted. Some more pictures are in the full build log: http://imgur.com/a/pZx8p

As a board, this layout takes some getting used to. As I haven't tried an ergodox (don't want to deal with both row and column staggering) I would highly recommend this to anyone that has occupational issues with typing on an normal keyboard layout, as this setup is infinitely adjustable and also supports someone else using your board for 5 seconds (if you let them, :P ). The board itself feel very heavy and sturdy (as it should with the plates in) and I really appreciate the rearrangable bottom row, as well as having two spaces as an option.

Keycaps wise I am still waiting on GMK Cyan to finish it off, but I slapped some generic Max keyboard caps I had sitting around on it. The board itself requires a 1.75u right shift to completely fill.

All in all, it was an excellent learning experience and an adventure in its own right. Thanks for reading!
Title: Re: Vermillion Ergonomic II. Armored Build Log
Post by: zefyr on Sun, 27 March 2016, 21:16:33: Great job!
Title: Re: Vermillion Ergonomic II. Armored Build Log
Post by: CPTBadAss on Mon, 28 March 2016, 10:11:06: Nice little build log on a really interesting keyboard. Thanks for sharing :)
Title: Re: Vermillion Ergonomic II. Armored Build Log
Post by: Data on Mon, 28 March 2016, 20:13:04: ****, it looks amazing. Nice job. So jelly.
Title: Re: Vermillion Ergonomic II. Armored Build Log
Post by: byker on Mon, 28 March 2016, 20:32:40: Nice build log, it was nice to see some pics of it unbuilt!
Title: Re: Vermillion Ergonomic II. Armored Build Log
Post by: alienman82 on Mon, 28 March 2016, 23:01:36: removed.
Title: Re: Vermillion Ergonomic II. Armored Build Log
Post by: appleonama on Mon, 28 March 2016, 23:16:59: show us the pcb I wanna see how many pads you manage to burn off :))/s
Title: Re: Vermillion Ergonomic II. Armored Build Log
Post by: hkf on Mon, 28 March 2016, 23:21:03: Quote from: appleonama on Mon, 28 March 2016, 23:16:59
show us the pcb I wanna see how many pads you manage to burn off :))/s

0 :)
Title: Re: Vermillion Ergonomic II. Armored Build Log
Post by: Vittra on Mon, 28 March 2016, 23:22:17: Aww yeah. Congrats :D.
Title: Re: Vermillion Ergonomic II. Armored Build Log
Post by: Vimto on Mon, 28 March 2016, 23:58:56: great job. So jelly
Title: Re: Vermillion Ergonomic II. Armored Build Log
Post by: hkf on Tue, 29 March 2016, 20:55:54: Thanks for all the kind comments. I should be getting some better caps in this week so I will take more pics then!