Author Topic: [Project] Keyboard blocks (WIP)  (Read 2691 times)

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Offline pca006132

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[Project] Keyboard blocks (WIP)
« on: Sun, 17 April 2022, 10:42:30 »
I am trying to make a 3D printable module that is easy to print, can mount switches firmly, hot-swappable, can assemble into different keyboard layouts (including ergonomic curved keyboards) and does not require any glue. I hope to try different layouts and keyboard curvatures without wasting too many parts. The parameterized openscad code will be open sourced after cleaning up (the code is very messy right now).

Here is the current design, printed using PLA with layer height of 0.2mm:
285089-0

Kailh Hot-swap sockets can be attached to the back to make the switch hot-swappable:
285091-1

The assembled keyboard can be flat or curved. Key distance and angles are parameterized and configurable:
285093-2

Will test if it is possible to use copper tapes for wiring. If this is possible, the blocks should be connected when they are assembled together, and eliminates the need for soldering (at least for these keys, still need to solder the microcontroller)

I haven't yet built a keyboard with this due to lack of parts, will try one later (perhaps in 2 weeks). Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Offline nevin

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  • Location: US
Re: [Project] Keyboard blocks (WIP)
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 17 April 2022, 11:02:51 »
Looks like a great project! Very interesting.
Keep up the good work and keep us posted on progress.

What are your plans to hold the keywells? Some kind of frame?
With being modular & experimental, what about using legos for the frame? with it being curved you could just attach to the legos on the top & bottom, leaving the sides unattached to the legos? .... Just a thought. You probably already have a better solution in mind.

Will share with a forum friend that was doing something similar but not modular.
Keeb.io Viterbi, Apple m0110, Apple m0120, Apple m0110a, Apple 658-4081, Apple M1242, Apple AEK II, MK96, GH60/Pure, Cherry g84-4100, Adesso AKP-220B, Magicforce 68

Offline pca006132

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Re: [Project] Keyboard blocks (WIP)
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 17 April 2022, 20:57:09 »
Yes I'm thinking about printing a frame for the keywell. Lego is a good idea but I don't have any around. The idea is to stagger them like this (need to modify the pattern a bit to avoid interference): 285099-0

Offline nevin

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  • Location: US
Re: [Project] Keyboard blocks (WIP)
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 17 April 2022, 22:08:22 »
nice.
Keeb.io Viterbi, Apple m0110, Apple m0120, Apple m0110a, Apple 658-4081, Apple M1242, Apple AEK II, MK96, GH60/Pure, Cherry g84-4100, Adesso AKP-220B, Magicforce 68

Offline pca006132

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  • Posts: 6
Re: [Project] Keyboard blocks (WIP)
« Reply #4 on: Thu, 21 April 2022, 08:17:27 »
Link to the cadquery script (in an interactive edtior): cadhub link

To output stl files, change the code after line 174 to

Code: [Select]
p = socket(cq.Workplane("XY")
# or
# p = angled_connector(cq.Workplane("XY"))
show_object(p)

This design supports staggered, orthogonal and also curved keyboards. No support is needed to print the models. I have already printed a couple of these and it works pretty well, waiting for switches to ship and assemble a keyboard for testing.