JUN3 75%
Designed by Jun3Hello Geekhack! Here is a pet project that has been the subject of my after-work activity, and is finally ready to be introduced to all of you!
Prototype v3
JUN3 75% Anodised Aluminium Casing
Carbon Fibre flex plate
Dinokeys Mint Linears
Durock Stabilizers
GMK Dark
SPECIFICATIONS
- Aluminium anodised single-piece casing
- Bottom mounted Carbon Fiber flex plate
- 7 degree typing angle
- 15mm front lip height
INTRODUCTIONA lot of decisions and selections goes into passionately creating and fine-tuning our mechanical keyboards.
From the sounds, feels, and into the looks of it to personalize it into something we love and we can identify with.
However, most times our components are always hidden in our casing, and sits unnoticed unless being mentioned upon.
This iteration of casing design aims to showcase the beautiful plates and interesting switches that we have chosen to complete our kit.
Furthermore, since we're spending on CNC, why not exploit that further in creating a distinct and interesting shape,
and is easily identifiable on top of our desk as something that is "Different"
A bottom mount is chosen to achieve the one-piece casing design. Held in by 4 screws and supported by poron gaskets,
it makes the whole assembly easy to take apart at anytime for servicing, changing components, or to test out the latest trending mod.
Furthermore, JUN3 75% is designed to readily accept most 75% PCB in the market. Amongst them are:
-KBD75 v2, v3
-YMDK 75
-XD84
This decision will be explored further in the next section
DEVELOPMENT
Prototype v3
JUN3 75% Anodised Aluminium Casing
Carbon Fibre flex plate
Equalz Tangerine
Durock Stabilizers
GMK Merlin
JUN3 75% has gone through numerous revisions since Q4 2020, and has gone through 2 rounds of aluminium prototype,
preceded only with a lot of trial and error via 3d printing. Currently with just a few things to fine tune:- Flex cuts optimization on the carbon fiber plate, and to explore the introduction of FR4 plate.
- Introduction of poron gaskets to better support.
- PCB Design.
Although the initial intention was to make this a keyboard design that accepts most 75% PCBs on the market, in the end
it's only fair that JUN3 75% have it's own dedicated PCB as well to complete the whole ensemble.
GROUP BUY DETAILS
- MOQ: 300-500 units
- 3 color options
- Tentatively asking for USD$300 selling price if max MOQ is met
- Expected to follow the FCFS sales format
- GB expected to be end of Q4 2021, latest by Q1 2022
- We're looking at a 2-3 month lead time to fulfill orders
There is a few more kinks to work out before JUN3 75% is ready for Group Buy orders, the Interest Check form
will help us reach a definite conclusion to make the whole experience better for everyone involved.
Interest Check Form here!
https://forms.gle/gcirHv3rzFYMbhucA
Thank you everyone for taking the time to read through!Edit
-Included IC form
UPDATE 7th MARCH 2022
Prototype v3.7
JUN3 75% Anodised Aluminium Casing
Carbon Fibre flex plate
Dinokeys Mint Linears
Durock Stabilizers
GMK Samurai + GMK Dark
Hello geekhack! Sorry for the radio silence. Life has taken over for awhile, but things are getting back on track now.
Currently we're looking at version 3.7, and a few things have gone through troubleshooting and problem solving,
mainly to create a more consistent typing experience and to eliminate minor pinging found in the previous prototype.
ASSEMBLY
Prototype v3.7
3D Rendered assembly image
The whole keyboard will be held together via 4 screws, strategically placed to also secure the plate at the intended flex points.
I will reveal more about the carbon fibre plate and how the "flex" works once the new prototype arrives shortly.
The initial goal was to design a keyboard that can be dissassembled and re-assembled easily,
and I think that I've achieved this intention here.
The recent update introduces 2 long porong strips, each 2mm in thickness along the top and bottom,
where previously the carbon fibre plate was in charge of keeping everything level and "floats" on the keyboard.
By introducing the poron strips, it not only helps to stabilise the plate, but also to provide additional support to the
plate and to give a consistent flex throughout. I also find that it helps the keyboard to create a more "solid" typing sound.
I feel that the typing height can be lowered a bit more, and this is going to be addressed in the upcoming update.
CURRENT STANDING
Prototype v3.7
I've entertained the idea of creating something iconic on the back, as a designer I feel that it's necessary
to constantly test the boundaries of what we can achieve. Parametric software was used to create a design that plays with
light and shadow. Kudos to the manufacturer for pulling this off, however the introduction of such a design bumps up the cost
significantly (so much so that I could not safely propose this design and keep the cost to sub $300), so for now a simpler design
will be used instead of this.
Prototype v3.7
So far I'm enjoying the whole design process and problem solving. Stay tuned for the soundtest that
will be coming once the new plates have arrived! By then I'll do a short write up on the design decisions that took part that
led to the final design of the plates as well as material choice.
Prototypes Line-up
In the mean time, I would like to share with you the physical prototypes done up to this point.
Behind each prototype are numerous digital decisions, and I feel like to actually do a writeup will result in too huge a wall of words.
Perhaps if any of the above caught your eye I can tell you a bit more about them if you are curious.
Until next time, take care everyone, and thanks for reading!
VENDORs
