Hi Folks! I'm Mujimanic, owner of Sneakbox Design
My previous projects include the Butterknife (in partnership with G Heavy Industries) and Prime_Elise (in conjunction with Prime Keyboards). Since I made a
layered case Discipline65 with a handle , I've wanted to scale up the project in way that would be sustainable for me but also offer some improvements I felt would better complement the FM Radio aesthetic afforded by combining a Discipline65 with a handled case. To accomplish what I wanted I had to make a completely new PCB.
I present to you Disarray. GB moved up to August 1, 2020Link to my Discord server for updates and support: https://discord.gg/77d4hDq
Group buy goes live Aug 1 https://Sneakbox.Design
Interest Check Form: https://forms.gle/2DH9SXg2ewdd6cNE8Prototype Pictures
Disarray is a 70% keyboard in the same PCB form factor of the Discipline65. It offers a rotary encoder with push-button support, as well as support for ISO, Shift-JIS, and Split Spacebars.
The keyboard contains a grip handle, and the overall layout is inspired by Braun products from the Dieter Rams era. The inspiration for the grip was based on my need to carry a keyboard around for the grab-and-go nature of my day job. In the grip, there is a notch to allow pass-through of a USB cable, however different from my original layered case, the notch has a wide trapezoidal-shaped chamfer for safety and comfort of holding. The case itself has a zero-degree typing angle, but planned to have threads to add an incline. The footing uses two custom silicone self-adhesive strips designed specifically for this case. There new component-view window, made of polycarbonate rather than acrylic, and is contour-chamfered to match the edges of the aluminum case. One simple indicator light. Brass switchplate with top-mount removal notches.
The Disarray PCB is USB-C and QMK compatible. It utilizes surface-mount components, all pre-assembled onto the PCB and positioned in view through the polycarbonate window. While the Discipline65 uses through-hole components, I felt SMD components could be equally as beautiful if arranged in a similar windowed manner. However, owing to the small visual footprint of SMD components, I wanted to bring out the traces as best as I could.
As such, there will be two visual variants of the PCB: one standard option (cheaper) with traditional white solder mask, and one high-end option (more expensive) using black FR4 substrate and copper traces with clear solder mask. Unfortunately, black FR4 + clear solder mask combination is hard to come by and definitely costs more to produce.
PCB VariantsDisarray will come in both a staggered layout and an ortholinear layoutHere are the possible configurations for key layouts:
STAGGERED LAYOUT
ORTHOLINEAR PCB LAYOUT
In keeping with my desire to pay tribute to great existing designs from other creators in our community, the keyboard case will also accommodate a Discipline65 by CFTKB, and contains mounting holes for conventional tray layout for those who have existing Discipline65 builds, or alternatively a plate layout as is presented with the Disarray. The retrofit kit for Discipline uses the same Main body with handle, but exchanges the top bezel and polycarbonate window, and removes the rotary encoder.
Design Features- T6 solid block aluminum CNC-machined enclosure, currently planned in uncolored anodized (silver aluminum color), black, AND RED, possibly dark blue if my supplier can do it reliably.
- Accommodates Disarray and Discipline 65 (using separate top bezel and polycarbonate window)
- Brass Plate (needs to be rigid material due to lack of plate anchors at the top side of PCB).
- Option to tray mount with 3mm standoffs , can be useful for existing Discipline65 builds.
- ZERO-degree typing angle. Plan to include thread for feet
- Disarray cheaper PCB in basic White solder mask, upscale option for FR4 with visible traces and clear soldermask for significant price premium.
Weight:
- Disarray case (2.1 lbs/924g), no plate
- Discipline retrofit complete case (1.95 lbs/888g), no plate
- Discipline retrofit bezel and window alone (0.25 lbs/113g)
- Brass switchplate (0.35 lbs/158g)
- PCB (0.27 lbs/121g)
Group Buy DetailsGB Starts: August 1, 2020 @ 9pm CST
GB Ends: Sept 5, 2020 @ 9pm CST.
Est. shipping: Q1 2021 (Feb-Mar). Disclaimer: shipping date subject to change.
Group buy items are non-refundable. Cancellations not accepted.
At closing of Group Buy, bulk order will be sent to manufacturer.
Order will be shipped to me for inspection/QC. Depending on quality inspection, this may be a source of delay in shipment.
Shipment to purchasers will be issued once QC is completed.
Options offered for sale:- Full Disarray Case, Top Bezel, Polycarb Window, Main Housing, Rotary knob, brass plate, silicone feet, case screws ($350 USD, no PCB)
- Colors: Black anodized, Silver, Red. Looking into dark blue.
- Each case will come with a 2mm custom cut EVA foam backing for under the PCB. I have to add this as some of the PCBs come bowed from the manufacturer, and this ensures that no pins contact the metal keyboard housing. This EVA foam is sized to match both Disarray and Discipline.
- Option for brass rotary knob (instead of aluminum) for $15 extra
- Full Discipline Case, Top Discipline bezel, Discipline Polycarb Window, Main Housing, brass plate, silicone feet, case screws ($350 USD, no PCB)
- Staggered PCBs:
- White Soldermask with Silkscreen traces ($50)
- Black Soldermask with Silkscreen traces ($50). Yes, It's back!
- Limited edition Black FR4 with visible copper traces and clear soldermask ($120). So there is a MOC of 50 for the black FR4. Less than that I won't be able to produce it at any price. Even at that price I'm actually subsidizing the production of the copper trace board and will be buying extras to drive the overall price down in the hope maybe I'll be able to sell any extras in the future.
- Ortholinear PCBs:
- White Soldermask with Silkscreen traces ($50)
- Black Soldermask with Silkscreen traces ($50)
- There is no Black FR4 option-- not enough interest to make this happen, unfortunately :[
Mockup of the expected PCBs with silkscreen prints:
Ortho PCB (not final product)
