[IC] PLA75 - GB Begins Friday Sept 27

[DetectiveNio]

So, mind the seam and the glue marks, as I only have a small prusa for making protos. Production sample is in the works, and that will be solid pieces for the top and bottom.

Glamour shot on a rainy day

Show Image

Top down. Don't look too closely at the legends on the caps

Show Image

One more for good measure.

Show Image

I've also been fooling around in CAD at the request of some users for top case options. I can do vents, chamfers, rounds - you name it (and it doesn't affect the structural integrity of the top case too much), I can do it.

Chamfers and vents

Show Image

Fillets everywhere

Show Image

So yeah! Get your info in that IC form if you haven't. I spoke with a local shop here and they can do mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium plates - I'm also getting hiney to do me up some FR4 ones as well. I will release the plate files after the GB is closed, so that anyone who wants a more exotic material is free to get it cut (I highly recommend laserboost!).

How "custom" will the top be when the GB is live? Will there just be a few choices? Or per request?

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

So, mind the seam and the glue marks, as I only have a small prusa for making protos. Production sample is in the works, and that will be solid pieces for the top and bottom.

Glamour shot on a rainy day

Show Image

Top down. Don't look too closely at the legends on the caps

Show Image

One more for good measure.

Show Image

I've also been fooling around in CAD at the request of some users for top case options. I can do vents, chamfers, rounds - you name it (and it doesn't affect the structural integrity of the top case too much), I can do it.

Chamfers and vents

Show Image

Fillets everywhere

Show Image

So yeah! Get your info in that IC form if you haven't. I spoke with a local shop here and they can do mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium plates - I'm also getting hiney to do me up some FR4 ones as well. I will release the plate files after the GB is closed, so that anyone who wants a more exotic material is free to get it cut (I highly recommend laserboost!).

How "custom" will the top be when the GB is live? Will there just be a few choices? Or per request?

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

I'll have a couple preset ones on the GB form, and then an option to pick if you want something custom. I'll also be selling them separately, so if you want to try a few that will be a relatively inexpensive option too.

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

Here's an example of some of the finishing (again, mind the gaps, small printer). This one has a few chamfers and looks really clean - the tops can be swapped easily, so having a couple on hand would make the board work with any keyset.





I built this with BOX White switches I had laying around, and will do a sound test when I can borrow a proper mic. A nice solid plate on gaskets sounds really good with clickies

[ecbob]

Do you think you can make it slightly thinner? Seems a bit bulky with those thicc edges. FOllowing.

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

Spent the evening doing another revision. Managed to trim some thickness off, but I'm at my limit for the hardware store nuts I'm using. I'm printing it right now, so I'll have a comparison tomorrow.

I ordered some thin nuts from AliExpress, so I should be able to bring it down a bit more, since the footprint of those is about half the size of my current nuts. I'll work on a design and compare it in CAD this evening.

[FatOldGuy]

I'm interested. I have an extra KBD75v2 soldered up in need of a case to drop it in, this could do the trick!

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

I'm interested. I have an extra KBD75v2 soldered up in need of a case to drop it in, this could do the trick!

This needs its own plate

[ecbob]

Damn, realized the plate doesn't allow for split backspace and 2 1.5's to the right of the spacebar. Any chance you can make the plate more universal? Thanks!

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

Yeah, this is my prototype plate, so don't fret. I'll have a bunch of options on the order form, so if a KBD75 PCB can do the layout, I can cut the plate for it.

I've also decided to do another revision of the plate, since I've got some time on the administrative side - this means I'll be thinning the design down a bit, as I know the thick bezels didn't jive well with some. Thick bezels will still be available if you want them.

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

As promised, I've been working on reducing the size of the bezels. Here is 4 mm taken off from the bezels (the old square ones without any chamfers were 19 mm, the new ones are 15 mm) - I may be able to get a total of 6 mm off, but I don't want this to transition into a "thin" type case, just a happy medium.

Let me know what you think - the new one is in green.

Top down view of side by side


Side view of side by side


Smaller one sunk into other one, to get an idea of the footprint reduction

[hineybush]

much nicer bezels and proportions 

[efftwo]

Wow, that is a lot better.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kevadu]

Any chance for an audio test?  Curious how it sounds.

[Kokaloo]

This is looking better and better each day man, good stuff.

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

Thanks everyone. Glad I'm moving in the right direction. I'm going to get a plate made for this tomorrow, and I'll get a full assembly done for a sound test. I'll have to desolder the current version, since these changes require a new plate, but that means we can get a new set of switches in there. I've got BOX whites in this one, so I'll record a test before I take it apart.

I'll probably throw some linears in this one, unless someone really wants to hear it with holy pandas.

[DetectiveNio]

Thanks everyone. Glad I'm moving in the right direction. I'm going to get a plate made for this tomorrow, and I'll get a full assembly done for a sound test. I'll have to desolder the current version, since these changes require a new plate, but that means we can get a new set of switches in there. I've got BOX whites in this one, so I'll record a test before I take it apart.

I'll probably throw some linears in this one, unless someone really wants to hear it with holy pandas.

I'm interested in how HP sound in gasket mounts boards


Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[efftwo]

Thanks everyone. Glad I'm moving in the right direction. I'm going to get a plate made for this tomorrow, and I'll get a full assembly done for a sound test. I'll have to desolder the current version, since these changes require a new plate, but that means we can get a new set of switches in there. I've got BOX whites in this one, so I'll record a test before I take it apart.

I'll probably throw some linears in this one, unless someone really wants to hear it with holy pandas.

I'd like to hear it with some linears

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

Thanks everyone. Glad I'm moving in the right direction. I'm going to get a plate made for this tomorrow, and I'll get a full assembly done for a sound test. I'll have to desolder the current version, since these changes require a new plate, but that means we can get a new set of switches in there. I've got BOX whites in this one, so I'll record a test before I take it apart.

I'll probably throw some linears in this one, unless someone really wants to hear it with holy pandas.

I'm interested in how HP sound in gasket mounts boards


Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Thanks everyone. Glad I'm moving in the right direction. I'm going to get a plate made for this tomorrow, and I'll get a full assembly done for a sound test. I'll have to desolder the current version, since these changes require a new plate, but that means we can get a new set of switches in there. I've got BOX whites in this one, so I'll record a test before I take it apart.

I'll probably throw some linears in this one, unless someone really wants to hear it with holy pandas.

I'd like to hear it with some linears

Okay, now rock paper scissors you two

[TuCZnak]

As promised, I've been working on reducing the size of the bezels. Here is 4 mm taken off from the bezels (the old square ones without any chamfers were 19 mm, the new ones are 15 mm) - I may be able to get a total of 6 mm off, but I don't want this to transition into a "thin" type case, just a happy medium.

Let me know what you think - the new one is in green.

Top down view of side by side

Show Image

Side view of side by side

Show Image

Smaller one sunk into other one, to get an idea of the footprint reduction

Show Image

Definitely a move in the right direction, I dig it. These are about the right proportions a nice bezel should have :thumb:

[ecbob]

Looks good on the bezel, I can compromise on the medium thickness tbh. My tofu seems a little thin anyways

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

So I heard y'all like shiny renders?

I've got the design locked in - shrunk the bezels by 25% (the render is even smaller than the above 3 comparison images, did more work since that post).

Getting another plate done, and will begin printing my half-cases tonight. I'll bug keyboardbelle to get a fullsize prototype of this as soon as I get my plate and ensure everything fits together, then we can call this design finalized.

I'm so much happier with this thinned out version, and I'm sure everyone else will be to

- Andy

[ecbob]

Yup, the diagonal cuts on the edges seem the same size as the birds eye view bezel. Perfect.

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

Alright, here is the timeline before I am able to start the GB. I'm aiming for the last week of August or first week of September.



Most of the time is just waiting for shipping and having to do things sequentially, but by doing a little redesign I feel like I've made the case much better, so bear with me - and as the old saying goes:

"""A rushed case is forever bad" - Wayne Gretzky"" - Micheal Scott" - Shigeru Miyamoto"

[ecbob]

This comes with no stabs correct? In that case I have to buy stabs from another place

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

This comes with no stabs correct? In that case I have to buy stabs from another place

I'll probably be able to source a bunch of screw in stabs.

Picking up the redesigned plate from the machine shop today. Was up very late yesterday desoldering the old proto, so if life allowd, I'll have this one built tonight. I figured I'd hold off on getting proper production samples until I know everything fits, so I'll have those off to keyboardbelle this evening after I do a few checks.

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

Got the updated plate, and the design is done printing. I'm so happy with the changes, and everything fits together awesome. Submitted for full size samples
Here is a family photo of the 3 revisions. Those bezels went on a diet

[YellowHalo]

No support for stepped capslock?

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

No support for stepped capslock?

Yes support for stepped capslock. I just have a fixed layout for my prototype plates. I suspect this GB will be small enough that I can do custom plates, so literally anything the KBD75 can support is yours.

[rondg]

Do we have an estimated price?

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

225 plus minus 25. Getting prints quoted this weekend

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

Sample production prints finish tonight. Steel, alu and fr4 plates in hand come Monday. Getting a quote on brass plates by end of today. Special nuts and screws in hand. Moving along nicely behind the scenes, just no pretty pictures to show.

[jimboytacos]

No support for stepped capslock?

I'm bummed. I liked the very sharp corners like what a TOFU... Basically the dark one in your prototype. Except I wished it we're smaller with a tiny bit of chamfered edge.

Not a fan of the white one at all. The corners are too busy making me feel like this is cheaper and gamer-ish.

Will the sharp corners be coming back in a thinner bezel?

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

No support for stepped capslock?

I'm bummed. I liked the very sharp corners like what a TOFU... Basically the dark one in your prototype. Except I wished it we're smaller with a tiny bit of chamfered edge.

Not a fan of the white one at all. The corners are too busy making me feel like this is cheaper and gamer-ish.

Will the sharp corners be coming back in a thinner bezel?

Yep, I've got a reduced bezel size in the tofu-esque style (no chamfers) in my order for production samples. I'll have a bunch of options for ordering tops (your idea of a minimally chemfered tofu style will be there), so there should be something for everyone.

[EMC Labs]

Please have an option for WKL blockers!

[diddykang]

This is looking good! cant wait to join this

[hammerbrotha]

I honestly don't know much about PLA but this is my favorite layout and size for keyboards right now. Genuine question, will the final product be 'smooth' or will it show the striations/lines that are visible in the prototype?

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

Depends in the case top. The square style will be de-facto the smoothest, as all layers are directly overtop of one another. I'll get some really close up shots when my production samples arrive.

But these should be leagues ahead of the ADK64 in terms of smoothness.

[Vireca]

It looks really good but case with 3D printer looks cheap too

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

Production samples are trickling in. Should have the Translucent cases next week, so we can see those as well.

FR4 plates fit good and sound magnificent, I'll get a sound test uploaded this weekend, as I'll have access to a nice condenser mic.

Pics of the with production samples looking clean





Expect the GB to begin Aug 27th when I return from vacation. Should run for 2 weeks or 50 units. Pricing still TBD, but it looks like I'll meet my ~$225 estimate for a full kit.

[DetectiveNio]

Production samples are trickling in. Should have the Translucent cases next week, so we can see those as well.

FR4 plates fit good and sound magnificent, I'll get a sound test uploaded this weekend, as I'll have access to a nice condenser mic.

Pics of the with production samples looking clean

Show Image

Show Image

Expect the GB to begin Aug 27th when I return from vacation. Should run for 2 weeks or 50 units. Pricing still TBD, but it looks like I'll meet my ~$225 estimate for a full kit.

I was gonna drop that much on the Polaris but I need my F-row and arrows. Plate and case foam I can carve myself

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

Glad to have you on board. I've got a hunk of foam I'll be throwing in mine, so I'll guinea pig that for you. Shouldn't be needed though, as the gaskets completely isolate the plate.

[TuCZnak]

Expect the GB to begin Aug 27th when I return from vacation. Should run for 2 weeks or 50 units. Pricing still TBD, but it looks like I'll meet my ~$225 estimate for a full kit.

I'm not sure if you posted it somewhere in the thread, but it's not in the OP. What stuff is in the full kit?

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

1 x Case bottom
1 x Case top
Set of gaskets
1 x plate
1 x KBD75 PCB

So it'll be bring your own stabs, switches and caps. I can really bump the price down if I limit the plate options to just FR4, which feels and sounds the best, bar none. I'll still release the plate files as promised, but I get no volume discount on metal plates. Just a thought.

[Kokaloo]

1 x Case bottom
1 x Case top
Set of gaskets
1 x plate
1 x KBD75 PCB

So it'll be bring your own stabs, switches and caps. I can really bump the price down if I limit the plate options to just FR4, which feels and sounds the best, bar none. I'll still release the plate files as promised, but I get no volume discount on metal plates. Just a thought.

I would be more than happy with FR4 plates!

[_ODIN_]

1 x Case bottom
1 x Case top
Set of gaskets
1 x plate
1 x KBD75 PCB

So it'll be bring your own stabs, switches and caps. I can really bump the price down if I limit the plate options to just FR4, which feels and sounds the best, bar none. I'll still release the plate files as promised, but I get no volume discount on metal plates. Just a thought.

Will it be possible to exclude the PCB from the order (I already bought a PCB with my latest KBDfans order thinking I would have to source it myself)?

[DetectiveNio]

1 x Case bottom
1 x Case top
Set of gaskets
1 x plate
1 x KBD75 PCB

So it'll be bring your own stabs, switches and caps. I can really bump the price down if I limit the plate options to just FR4, which feels and sounds the best, bar none. I'll still release the plate files as promised, but I get no volume discount on metal plates. Just a thought.

Will you consider the option to omit the PCB? I already got a kbd75 PCB laying around

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

Yeah, it should be fine.

[EMC Labs]

Do we have a GB projection date yet? Hyped for this one.

[ReDsNoTDeAd]

Do we have a GB projection date yet? Hyped for this one.

Belle is ready to print Sept 1, so I'll open the GB on August 27th or 28th when I get back from vacation. Fulfillment by Oct 15th at the latest.

[bobgr8]

Limit of GB?