[IC] ZIGGURAT — Plateless, leaf-spring, PCB-mount 65% XT

[WoobEC]

After 1.5 years of development, we are proud to present our new project: Ziggurat (XT 65% keyboard)



Ziggurat 65XT is influenced by ancient temples in Mesopotamia. Nowadays, Ziggurats can be seen as ancient temples, modern architectural works, and have even inspired futuristic designs, such as Blade Runner. The Ziggurat symbolizes opulence, power, and shared common vision to unite us all.


The idea was to create a keyboard that prioritizes a bouncy typing experience, clean acoustics, and a design language that would look great, even back in 3000 BC.


IC FORM
CONTENTS

-DETAILS
-DESIGN
-DESIGN PROGRESSION
-RENDERS
-PHOTOS
-SOUND TESTS
-IMPORTANT INFORMATION
-SALE INFORMATION
-CONTACT
-SPECIAL THANKS



SPECIFICATIONS



Keyboard Dimensions: 363x125x31
Anodized or coated aluminum top case
Clear coated brass bottom case
Mounting style: Plateless, PCB-mounted, leaf-spring gasket
Typing angle: 6.5 degrees
Front height: 18 mm 
Weight: 3 kg built
Colors include anodized Black, Silver, and Red
M3x10 front screws, M3x20 back screws


Standard, easily replaceable 5/16'' rubber bump-ons
PCB designed by drewskeys, to be in-stock at ELOQUENT CLICKS
1.2 or 1.6 PCBs will be offered on the base kit, with their respective gasket thicknesses included with each PCB. As well as daughterboard and JST cable. Each PCB thickness has a different gasket to make sure compression is maintained.


DESIGN

“To protrude, To build High”



Ziggurats often apply simple bases and symmetrical lines that mirror mathematics. We aimed to take inspiration in this design language, while also adding a few things of our own.

The stepped pattern on the bottom piece represents the iconic “stairway to heaven” that connects earthlings to the Gods, and the Ziggurat, its medium.

DESIGN PROGRESSION

These first two renders show the design progression from the first prototype (right) to the latest and completed on the left.




RENDERS
these are the v2 renders, new ones with the steps are coming




PROTOTYPE PHOTOS
these are the v2 photos, new ones with the steps are coming






SOUND TESTS AND OTHER MEDIA RELEASES

Alexotos will be streaming and building our keyboard live! on Sunday 1pm (TORONTO, CA) ( in GMT+1 EU TIME)

URYFTW will be building our keyboard [Dates TBA]

NATE GENTILE will be trying out the Ziggurat (Spanish only!) dates [TBA]

KEYBROSKEYBOARDS will be taking a look at the Ziggurat on Twitch on [TBA]

DBOKEY (EN/KR) will showcase our keyboard (still working out logistics!)


WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE BOX?

Each kit will come with the following components:

1 x Anodized or coated Aluminum top case (Ziggurat v3, which can be seen on leftmost render in design progression)
1 x Clear-coated brass bottom case
1 x PCB, daughterboard, and JST (1.2mm or 1.6mm )
  5x M3x10 screws
  5x M3x20 screws
  4 rubber bumpons
required gaskets + 2 spares

1 x Carrying case 
1 x Microfiber cloth
1 x Ziggurat sticker


*Anodized color options for the top piece will be: Black, Red, and Silver. Extra tops will be available for purchase

A Premium, powder-coated option, “Limestones of Ur” coated by ELOQUENT COATS. Due to logistic challenges, this color will only be offered at ELOQUENT CLICKS


To ensure proper clearance and compression, two different gasket thicknesses are needed depending on the PCB thickness. Top case gaskets are always the same while bottom gaskets will depend on what PCB you build with. Each PCB will come with appropriately sized gaskets. Top gaskets will go on the case, bottom gaskets will go on the PCB.



SALE INFO

Sale method: group buy, format TBD
Dates: TBD (around Q3- Early Q4 2022)
Target price:400-450 usd
Vendors: ELOQUENT CLICKS for EU, rest TBD


CONTACT

For the latest updates:

Join us on Discord! (ELOQUENT CLICKS) https://discord.gg/fVmskWzvkS

Follow Laminar on discord! (Keyboard Designer) https://discord.gg/4EKx78UJxx


PROGRESS LOGS

Finish a proof of concept
Obtain initial renders
Obtain our first prototype
Complete QC of first proto
Improve acoustics and finishing outer styles
second prototype received
Decide 3 standard colors
Select Premium Color
Complete QC of second proto
Finalize packaging Styles (Carrying Case)
Finalize Sticker Art
Complete a private test GB
Finish vendor logistics planning
Announce Stream Dates
Announce GB Dates



SPECIAL THANKS!

…And that was it! Thank you guys for taking your time to take a look at our IC. It’s been a lot of challenging and nerve-wracking work to bring our idea to the public for the first time. Appreciate any feedback you may have. Also, special thanks to:

Thank you to Laminar to spend countless on hours on creating and polishing the design
Thank you to Fran
Thank you to all closed GB testers.
Thank you, URYFTW, ALEXOTOS, KEYBROS, NATE GENTILE for your help testing our keyboard
Thank you to the UIUC media commons office for helping with the sound tests.

To support the project and spread the word, use this signature on GH!
// ::: Forum Signature :::

Code: [Select]

[url=https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=117403.0][img width=314 height=120]https://i.imgur.com/tkdGpGH.png[/img][/url]//

[LaminarDesigns]

07/20 update:

V3 Prototypes have finished machining and will be anodized/coated. Once we have them here I will make sure to post an update.

[Reckless]

I'm so ready

[Detrimend]

Can't wait to get my hands on this <3

[mrvpixel]

Good luck!

[KeyBros_]

Bien cabrón

[ankit]

Same gasket thickness for both PCBs?

[LaminarDesigns]

Same gasket thickness for both PCBs?

Of course not! There is a small paragraph explaining how to build the board, but essentially top gaskets go on top case and bottom gaskets go on the PCB. When you buy a 1.2 or 1.6 pcb you will get the correct gaskets for the bottom with each pcb. This way you can swap back and forth from 1.2 to 1.6 without problems.

[less_blank]

I'm a little confused, are you offering three different designs? I see some renders with stepped bottom, some with smooth and then one also features a top that completely covers the bottom, but no mention of this in the IC.

[imivanh]

Excited for this! Love the idea of having "steps" on the back, definitely fits the theme

[LaminarDesigns]

I'm a little confused, are you offering three different designs? I see some renders with stepped bottom, some with smooth and then one also features a top that completely covers the bottom, but no mention of this in the IC.

That is our bad, we did not explain it well enough but the render that shows all 3 essentially shows the design progression. The version that will be offered will be the one with the steps, the one on the left in that render!

Hope this clears it

[ankit]

Same gasket thickness for both PCBs?

Of course! There is a small paragraph explaining how to build the board, but essentially top gaskets go on top case and bottom gaskets go on the PCB. When you buy a 1.2 or 1.6 pcb you will get the correct gaskets for the bottom with each pcb. This way you can swap back and forth from 1.2 to 1.6 without problems.

Make sense, thank you.

[less_blank]

I'm a little confused, are you offering three different designs? I see some renders with stepped bottom, some with smooth and then one also features a top that completely covers the bottom, but no mention of this in the IC.

That is our bad, we did not explain it well enough but the render that shows all 3 essentially shows the design progression. The version that will be offered will be the one with the steps, the one on the left in that render!

Hope this clears it

Gotcha, thanks for clarifying. Stepped bottom design is nice.

[Fnzzy]

I'm here glwic

[GigaJoost]

Goodluck Lam! 

[Backspace2]

GL! Will be watching Alexoto stream

[MaybeUnique]

Yes, yes and yes. I love the design, super simple, sleek. Love me some small side bezels and bigger top and bottom. And don't even get me started on that red. Ooh baby. Will definitely buy.

[DmArkanoid]

I saw this on stream and i am soo hyped for this keyboard!

For the extra keys on the left, I wonder if anyone will have special keycap set for this kit.

[KeyBros_]

I saw this on stream and i am soo hyped for this keyboard!

For the extra keys on the left, I wonder if anyone will have special keycap set for this kit.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=117130.0 DCS WoB from Ankit is lit

[Fraaaan]

I saw this on stream and i am soo hyped for this keyboard!

For the extra keys on the left, I wonder if anyone will have special keycap set for this kit.

There's already been plenty keysets with XT support. GMK Serika, GMK Space Cadet, GMK a, GMK Dracula, GMK DMG, GMK Dualshot, GMK Symbiote, GMK Striker, GMK uwu add-on kit, DCS 9009, DCS WoB... Should I keep going?

[LaminarDesigns]

I saw this on stream and i am soo hyped for this keyboard!

For the extra keys on the left, I wonder if anyone will have special keycap set for this kit.

Thank you!! So am I to have everyone enjoy it! There are lots of sets like others have mentioned, but regular F-row keycaps also work great!

[lush_bunny]

XT-style 65% with plateless. It's a dream come true.

[Puddsy]

name cool design cool

not for me but only because i don't like plateless

[lush_bunny]

name cool design cool

: D

not for me but only because i don't like plateless

D :

[Taziza]

Would it be possible to have a screwless design? Don't take me wrong, but in such premium board I suggest this would make the design so much premium.

;-)

[LaminarDesigns]

Would it be possible to have a screwless design? Don't take me wrong, but in such premium board I suggest this would make the design so much premium.

;-)

Unfortunately not, it is not a design aspect that I think matters. I may work on screwless designs in the future but for now, no.

[Aunk]

Heck yeah sign me up, this board looks so cool

[andyhechao]

do you have asian vendor, any chance people from china to buy?

[LaminarDesigns]

do you have asian vendor, any chance people from china to buy?

Not right now! If the demand is high enough it could be arranged though. Please fill in the IC form and spread the word to your friends!

[lush_bunny]

do you have asian vendor, any chance people from china to buy?

Not right now! If the demand is high enough it could be arranged though. Please fill in the IC form and spread the word to your friends!

Southeast Asia Vendor could be sick. Filled the IC form long ago, hope there's demand.

[LaminarDesigns]

do you have asian vendor, any chance people from china to buy?

Not right now! If the demand is high enough it could be arranged though. Please fill in the IC form and spread the word to your friends!

Southeast Asia Vendor could be sick. Filled the IC form long ago, hope there's demand.

We are in talks with different vendors for SEA. We know that there is a lot of wonderful people over there so we want to make sure it's accessible to everyone. Talk to your favorite vendor and have them contact us too! We want to make sure everyone can enjoy our design!

[ylothar]

Very very cool design

Can't you offer bottom row with 6u and 6.25u bar support?

[lush_bunny]

Very very cool design

Can't you offer bottom row with 6u and 6.25u bar support?

I love 6u too, but sourcing 6u wires suck

[Taziza]

Would it be possible to have a screwless design? Don't take me wrong, but in such premium board I suggest this would make the design so much premium.

;-)

Unfortunately not, it is not a design aspect that I think matters. I may work on screwless designs in the future but for now, no.

Would it be possible to have a screwless design? Don't take me wrong, but in such premium board I suggest this would make the design so much premium.

;-)

Unfortunately not, it is not a design aspect that I think matters. I may work on screwless designs in the future but for now, no.

Thank you for the reply, looking forward for those future screwless designs.
I am still looking forward for this board, just don't make too close from sagrada, my wallet cannot take too boards on a short timeframe ;-)

IC filled in.

[psvntrm]

Would like a better feet design.

[LaminarDesigns]

Would like a better feet design.

Rubber feet serve to fix an issue: keep the board from sliding around on a deskmat/table and elevate it so that the surface does not get scratched. Because we want to keep the price as low as we could (and allow for the feet to be replaced if lost or damaged) we decided to stick to a trusted solution that just works. This way we can keep the price of the kit affordable. I understand the appeal of "better" feet but I do not think rubber feet is something that is worth raising the price of the kit over.

I hope this helps!

[LaminarDesigns]

Would it be possible to have a screwless design? Don't take me wrong, but in such premium board I suggest this would make the design so much premium.

;-)

Unfortunately not, it is not a design aspect that I think matters. I may work on screwless designs in the future but for now, no.

Would it be possible to have a screwless design? Don't take me wrong, but in such premium board I suggest this would make the design so much premium.

;-)

Unfortunately not, it is not a design aspect that I think matters. I may work on screwless designs in the future but for now, no.

Thank you for the reply, looking forward for those future screwless designs.
I am still looking forward for this board, just don't make too close from sagrada, my wallet cannot take too boards on a short timeframe ;-)

IC filled in.

Do not worry, the raffle for Sagrada will happen around July 1st, Ziggurat's open group buy will happen later in the year. Details on when will be posted with enough time for everyone to decide.

[ocean.setups]

Looks classy! I like it

[treeleaf64]

more than 400-450

Third degree burns, a charred-up shovel near his hand

[KeyBros_]

Who is this unknown designer?

[ZAND4]

GIMME

[keguira]

Looking for it

[Homiezoned]

I wanto

[WoobEC]

UPDATE - 07/20 -  Our final testing protos are about to be finished. Here a photo from factory!
https://imgur.com/a/0yyQ47n