GH-122.2017 Mods, features, and additions

[samwisekoi]

Interested to see where the case options go for this version.  We were kind of trailblazing in the first round.

Yes indeed.  I am hoping to be a tad less Wild West this time around.  Specs and a reference design or two.

 - Ron | samwisekoi

p.s.  Having said that, your work was great, and I am certainly happy with the GH-122.2016 Unicomp/MX White/SA keyboard I use as my home daily driver.

[Data]

Thanks.  My only regret is the way I mounted the Teensy causes the USB port to be so low relative to the PCB that the entire case has to be fairly tall to accommodate it.  Allowing for a bulky-ish USB connector/cable (I have 4mm clearance at the moment) means the bottom standoffs are 3/4" and the entire case sits a full 1-1/4" off the desk.  She's nearly as tall as she is wide.  )

[samwisekoi]

Thanks.  My only regret is the way I mounted the Teensy causes the USB port to be so low relative to the PCB that the entire case has to be fairly tall to accommodate it.  Allowing for a bulky-ish USB connector/cable (I have 4mm clearance at the moment) means the bottom standoffs are 3/4" and the entire case sits a full 1-1/4" off the desk.  She's nearly as tall as she is wide.  )

Yep. I am using a .750" cutout just under the Teensy to let the USB connector hang down on my sandwich prototype, and I had to get a very small 90-degree USB cable to fit inside the Unicomp case.

 - Ron | samwisekoi

[donutcat]

My friend is putting in work for my case design

[Data]

Looks like SketchUp. 

[donutcat]

Looks like SketchUp. 

Probably, but if he knows what he's doing then it's whatever.

Took me forever in Inkscape to get this plate setup, so it's probably better to let him deal with the 3d design.

[Data]

Looks like SketchUp. 

Probably, but if he knows what he's doing then it's whatever.

Show Image

Took me forever in Inkscape to get this plate setup, so it's probably better to let him deal with the 3d design.

If you can do that in Inkscape then you should try 2D CAD (I use AutoCAD).  It looks great but it probably would have been a ton easier with the right tools.   :thumb:

[samwisekoi]

Make sure you use the right gutter widths.  From left to right, they are 0.340", 0.330", and 0.330" for a total of 1.000 inches.  These cannot be easily expressed in switch units, so the auto-generators have problems with this PCB.

(And blame IBM for those widths, not me.)

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Auto-typed by my GH-122 keyboard.

[TerryMathews]

Am I correct this will work in an IBM F-122 case?

[samwisekoi]

Am I correct this will work in an IBM F-122 case?

Hmmm.  An original IBM F-122 case?  Probably.  I can measure mine to see if the gutter spacing is correct, but unless I take my F-122 apart (which I won't) I cannot promise there is enough interior space.

However, it absolutely will fit in a Unicomp PC-122 case, which is really an IBM Model M.  I am currently using such a case to type this reply.  Plenty of room for that build, and you will only need a few inexpensive acrylic spacers and a hot glue gun.  (And wire and solder, etc.)

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Auto-typed by my GH-122 keyboard.

[donutcat]

Getting there

[TerryMathews]

Am I correct this will work in an IBM F-122 case?

Hmmm.  An original IBM F-122 case?  Probably.  I can measure mine to see if the gutter spacing is correct, but unless I take my F-122 apart (which I won't) I cannot promise there is enough interior space.

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Auto-typed by my GH-122 keyboard.

Gotcha. I've got one of those M-122 cases that are basically identical to the F-122. As long as it mostly fits, I'll massage the insides to make it fit.

[happylacquer]

Man, I wish I knew about this before the PCB orders went in.  Would love to be typing on this bad boy right now

[samwisekoi]

Man, I wish I knew about this before the PCB orders went in.  Would love to be typing on this bad boy right now

You do know about this before the PCB orders will go in.

I am am typing this on last year's model.

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Auto-typed by my GH-122(2016) keyboard.

[Potatomonkey]

When would the estimated GB date be?

[samwisekoi]

When would the estimated GB date be?

No schedule yet.  Soon-ish.
 - Ron | samwisekoi

[Data]

Man, I wish I knew about this before the PCB orders went in.  Would love to be typing on this bad boy right now

You do know about this before the PCB orders will go in.

I am am typing this on last year's model.

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Auto-typed by my GH-122(2016) keyboard.

Last year's still extremely wonderful and superb model.   

[ErgoMacros]

Looking forward to this becoming available. 

As far as Firmware options go, here's another possibility:
   https://asylum.madhouse-project.org/blog/2017/02/15/Shortcutting-Kaleidoscope/

"Kaleidoscope" originally started for the Keyboardio project, but intended to be usable on many keyboards.
 Gergely Nagy (algernoone) has adapted it to the shortcut.gg pre-production keyboard. See above.

Runs on an Arduino-compatible MCU.

[samwisekoi]

Finally an update!

Yesterday the raw .125" aluminum plate came in for the new base plate on the GH-122.2017 sandwich case.  I drilled and tapped the four corner holes and it worked!  No bowing, no problems!  I posted one quick pic to Instagram which 32 of you have already seen!

Anyhow, that gave me enough information to decide where to place mounting holes in the first run of GH-122.2017 PCBs.  In addition to the four corners, I will put mounting holes on the top and bottom edges centered in the gaps on each side of the main block.  That will be eight edge holes, and there will be a center hole between G and H as on the Pok3r PCB.


GH-122.2017 Proto PCB mounting holes shown in RED.

That may not be perfect, but it will be enough for the proto run.  My goal for the first run is to find bugs and to get feedback on things like where the production mounting holes should be located.

Now that I have the proto mounting holes decided, I can update the CAD files, create some documentation, and launch the first buy.  FYI, I really want the first five keyboards to actually get built, so they will only be available in partial kit form.  And since some of the most involved people in this thread have been outside of the US, I'll be open to exceptions to the USPS Priority Mail rule.  (I'm looking at you, Phenix!)

TL;DR I built the first proto case, know where the proto PCB mounting holes will go, and am ready to do a limited edition first run.

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Auto-typed by my GH-122 keyboard.

[samwisekoi]

Have some mounting dimensions.

 - Ron | samwisekoi

[donutcat]

Looking pretty good, can't wait to build one/see some of these get built.

[Phenix]

(I'm looking at you, Phenix!)

TL;DR I built the first proto case, know where the proto PCB mounting holes will go, and am ready to do a limited edition first run.

Thanks that I get featured 

Do you happen to have any informations about the limited edition?
(like pricing/included stuff - this is also important for others)

[donutcat]

Have some mounting dimensions.

 - Ron | samwisekoi

Just confirming that these are the physical dimensions of the PCB itself? I'm pretty sure that's what it is, but I'm double checking so I don't make silly mistakes in case design.

[Potatomonkey]

Are my eyes playing tricks on me or does this support a split space?

[jal]

Woohoo! Looking forward to it.

[nathanrosspowell]

Are my eyes playing tricks on me or does this support a split space?

Read the OP.

✓[REQUESTED FEATURE] Split spacebar.

 

[Potatomonkey]

Are my eyes playing tricks on me or does this support a split space?

Read the OP.

✓[REQUESTED FEATURE] Split spacebar.

 

I totally missed that lol

[samwisekoi]

Ok, traffic...

The PCB is 19.50" x 6.50" (nominal).  See either drawing.  Allow for 1/16th" extra around perimeter.

Split spacebar?  Check.  (In case you need MORE keys...)

Kit components?  I need to get some numbers together.  Please give me a couple of days for that.

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Auto-typed by my GH-122 keyboard.

[xondat]

Now that I have the proto mounting holes decided, I can update the CAD files, create some documentation, and launch the first buy.  FYI, I really want the first five keyboards to actually get built, so they will only be available in partial kit form.  And since some of the most involved people in this thread have been outside of the US, I'll be open to exceptions to the USPS Priority Mail rule.  (I'm looking at you, Phenix!)

So there will be two portions to the buy? 5 kits, and unlimited PCBs afterwards?

[samwisekoi]

Now that I have the proto mounting holes decided, I can update the CAD files, create some documentation, and launch the first buy.  FYI, I really want the first five keyboards to actually get built, so they will only be available in partial kit form.  And since some of the most involved people in this thread have been outside of the US, I'll be open to exceptions to the USPS Priority Mail rule.  (I'm looking at you, Phenix!)

So there will be two portions to the buy? 5 kits, and unlimited PCBs afterwards?

That's the plan.

 - Ron | samwisekoi

[Hak Foo]

It might make sense to have a second round of group ordering for some of the parts we're likely to share, not just the PCB.

If we can do an "all-positions" plate with the MX/Alps style universal holes, and Costar stabilizer sockets (those will also take ALPS-style stabilizer wires in my experience)-- that would satisfy most users who want to do plate-mount builds.  If they don't want every position filled, the top plate will cover extra holes.   Getting even 5-10 ordered might get to a quantity break with a place like Big Blue Saw.

I tend to think plate-mount is near mandatory for ALPS, and it's quite valuable for MX if you use the board angled.  The plate-mount GH-122 is far more solid feeling than the PCB-mount G80-3000 and 8200 I've used.

[Phenix]

maybe this offer still counts?
https://deskthority.net/vendors-f52/early-alert-big-blue-saw-sale-coming-next-week-t15817.html

[samwisekoi]

OK, I think the test build kit will be approx. $155 USD plus shipping and any taxes.   Major items supplied at cost; bits and pieces donated by yours truly.

Approximate Cost:
PCB: $60
Aluminum Base: $25
Acrylic spacer: $40
Acrylic top plate: $30  (With your choice of layout and color.)

Total $155 (plus shipping, etc.)

Test kit thread:  https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=87851.0

FYI,

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Auto-typed by my GH-122 keyboard.

[BaconEggandCheeseBagel]

This has been one of the most enjoyable threads to watch unfold. The board is a behemoth and now that you have it mounted in a case it looks amazing! Keep up the awesome work!

[ErgoMacros]

Liking this keyboard & project -- amazing planning & design progress.

I appreciate that the PCB now supports pads for a connector to a daughter-card supporting alternate status LED arrangements.
Wondering if it's possible to bring out +V and a couple unused Teensy pins in the same connector for other expanded functions. (More status LEDs for layers? a speaker? others?)

Maybe to late for this time, but next?

[samwisekoi]

V+, ground and the eight center connectors are available for this sort of thing.  They are not in a single connector, but are in sets on 0.10"/2.54mm centers.

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Auto-typed by my GH-122 keyboard.

[ErgoMacros]

OK, i can work with that. thanks

[dead_pixel_design]

OK, I think the test build kit will be approx. $155 USD plus shipping and any taxes.

Should we expect the final product cost to be similar to this? and will the PCB, aesthetically, be different on the final product? And are you offering the option of just purchasing the test PCB?

[samwisekoi]

Well, given the resounding lack of "Hurrah!" the test kit received, I am open to alternatives for the first edition/test PCBs.  To keep my exposure down, I want to buy no more than ten first run PCBs.  And, I want to be certain that at least five people will build part of that run.

My intent in offering the kit was to reduce the complexity of early adoption so people would actually build the things.  But if five people wanted just the PCBs, and would build them at least enough for testing, I'd be fine with that as well.

The white-on-black look is how all of my PCBs are made.  I'd accept polite suggestions, but no promises.

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Auto-typed by my GH-122 keyboard.

[dead_pixel_design]

Well, given the resounding lack of "Hurrah!" the test kit received, I am open to alternatives for the first edition/test PCBs.  To keep my exposure down, I want to buy no more than ten first run PCBs.  And, I want to be certain that at least five people will build part of that run.

My intent in offering the kit was to reduce the complexity of early adoption so people would actually build the things.  But if five people wanted just the PCBs, and would build them at least enough for testing, I'd be fine with that as well.

The white-on-black look is how all of my PCBs are made.  I'd accept polite suggestions, but no promises.

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Auto-typed by my GH-122 keyboard.

I'm very interested in the test kit but I am a novice builder and don't know that I could provide the feedback you would be looking for from a test run, I don't know the software, I don't have experience to inform what I would even be looking for, if I got it it would be as a collector's item, and I know that's not what your test run is for. But believe me I feel the Hurrah for the test run. And where I can only afford one or the other, as as much as I would love to have the know-how to help with the testing process and absolutely want to be one of the first to get my hands on it, I think I'm a production model buyer until I have more experience. But trust that I, and I imaging a lot of the followers of this thread, are full of hurrah

Just out of curiosity, what is the Acrylic Spacer? Could it not just be base>PCB>Top plate?

[samwisekoi]

Just out of curiosity, what is the Acrylic Spacer? Could it not just be base>PCB>Top plate?

Take a look at the drawing in the kit thread.  The spacer allows for the bottom of the switches, the diodes and resistors, and the main body of the Teensy.

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Auto-typed by my GH-122 keyboard.

[TerryMathews]

Well, given the resounding lack of "Hurrah!" the test kit received, I am open to alternatives for the first edition/test PCBs.  To keep my exposure down, I want to buy no more than ten first run PCBs.  And, I want to be certain that at least five people will build part of that run.

My intent in offering the kit was to reduce the complexity of early adoption so people would actually build the things.  But if five people wanted just the PCBs, and would build them at least enough for testing, I'd be fine with that as well.

The white-on-black look is how all of my PCBs are made.  I'd accept polite suggestions, but no promises.

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Auto-typed by my GH-122 keyboard.

As stated in the other thread, I'd be down for a kit and a PCB.

[donutcat]

The kit definitely seemed to have everything needed for building, but I'd be fine with just the PCB. I've got switches and diodes just waiting for it.

[ErgoMacros]

I haven't built a keyboard before, but I've done some other electronics and lots of software experience.
I'm in if there are any left.
(Thanks for arranging these as kits.)

[samwisekoi]

Ok, I think I am going to do a straight [IC} thread for:

1a. MOQ=5 of 10 First Edition GH-122.2017 PCB Only.
1b. MOQ=5 of 10 First Edition GH-122.2017 PCB + Sandwich Case Kit.

2.  MOQ=20 Production GH-122.2017 PCB Only.

IC thread is here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=88063.0

 - Ron | samwisekoi

[Phenix]

I really think this is going to be great! Unfortunately I am back to an ergoDox because of pain in the left hand - so atm it is not that worthwile to build this monstrous board atm for me.

Nevertheless I am interested in seeing some final pics!

[user 18]

Would love to help out with testing, but I really wouldn't use a board that big :/

Really excited to see pics of the builds though!

[beard]

Hi, any news about this project?

[iamtootallforthis]

Hi, any news about this project?

Sam is moving house now IIRC so this is on hold right now

[beard]

Which may be a good thing, I will add myself to the order list, as I just found that thread