[IC] TOR65 - A "crystal" sandwich [UPDATE 5 - First full prototype built!]

[Dopamine]

Hello keyboard nerds.

UPDATE5: First Proto Built!!
So the first case proto finally came in. Yes, there were some issues and they are definitely going to be resolved. The biggest one was the logo on the back was not to the standard that I was hoping but the manufacturer said it was something that was their fault and they are going to fix it. However, all of Sweden is on vacation right now so we will work on it together when the vacation period is over. The other issues were small tweaks and those have already been resolved in the manufacturing files.

So with the first set of PCBs and this case proto i put together a build with Gateron Black inks that have been lubed and filmed and some durock stabs.
Below is a link to some pictures of the build. Note. the case isn't scratched. All that is just dust particles and fingerprint grease that i could not bother to wipe off because I'm just enjoying using this board.
Yes, I am typing this thread on that prototype build.
Pics -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/TfqBDk1hcsrwVzLA9

I also recorded a sound sample. Note my sound recording rig is not the best but whatever.
Sound sample -> https://clyp.it/eqa4vjdi?token=d39819ac6b809d34c4403b0a5b0aa586

A second proto will be built with the case issues and PCB issues fixed and hopefully that will be done by some streamer in the community so they can show off the board way better than I can.

UPDATE4: Prototype case has been ordered from one opotential Swedish manufacturer. It will arrive sometime next week.
UPDATE3: PCB prototypes came in from JLC and apart from a small problem that I have already fixed in the schematic, they work great.
I slapped together a firmware for now just to make sure that all the rows and colums work as intended and they do.
Now I will try and improve the firmware a bit further.
I am also talking to a manufacturer and a Proto has been ordered. Will post photos if the Proto comes out good.
Next step is to secure a manu for the PCB and I already have some leads for that as well.


UPDATE2: Prototype PCBs have been ordered from JLC. They should arrive on the 18th worst case scenario.
UPDATE: I can't reveal too much at the moment but I am in talks with vendors to make the GB experience as smooth as possible.


I have been working on this design for a few months and since it turned out so good (more on that lower down) I wanted to share it with you guys.
I am just a university student who got too bored with school work so I started designing boards instead of doing my actual work.
I also made the PCB myself which has ESD protection for the data lines and on the port.

Please fill out the form here --> https://forms.gle/EjKNY5cmsnFo6QtS6



Specs of the board:

• Sandwhich mount
• 100% Acrylic case
• Made in Sweden
• Will have diamond polished edges
• 5mm thick Acrylic plate
• 65% layout
• 5 degree typing angle
• PCB supports QMK, ANSI standard layout and ISO standard layout.
• Unfortunetly only one color for this run
• Estimated Price: 200€ + shipping for the kit. Which includes case, hardware, PCB and rubber feet.

I just want to add that I know the side profile looks weird where only the edge of the angled feet touch the table, HOWEVER, with rubber feet on it the contact area will be much larger and the board will sit stable.

Renders:



















Renders of the PCB:


You might be asking yourself, "This is just a random idiot on the internet, how do I know he can deliver".
Well you are in luck, because I made a very similar case with one of maartens PCBs and it looks, types and sounds great.
Here are the pics --> https://photos.app.goo.gl/d7tcbeFTpNsjJvtC9
Sound test of the acrylic board above --> https://clyp.it/s101yabe?token=9696ec8a3d74d5064769bc019f61fae8


If you have more questions then please ask.



People have suggested that I put a logo in the top right corner so I thought I would add a straw poll to check if thats what people want or not.
Straw poll -> http://www.strawpoll.me/20179616

Also, I have two bonus renders that shows the constructions and the cuts on the plate:



UPDATE: I have build the second plate and PCB with NK creams just now and here is a sound sample -> https://clyp.it/hyk21iyo?token=3301d49491f3fb555f50a231c01675d0

[CrazyAssMonkey]

Looking at the price isn't it rather high for an acrylic board? Especially since it is full acrylic? I don't remember acrylic prices but for how many did you design that quote? Keep note I could just be crazy.

It is a nice board and especially like the self designed PCB.

[Dopamine]

Looking at the price isn't it rather high for an acrylic board? Especially since it is full acrylic? I don't remember acrylic prices but for how many did you design that quote? Keep note I could just be crazy.

It is a nice board and especially like the self designed PCB.

Keep in mind I'm making with a local company in Sweden and I have no idea what packaging will cost so there is a chance the price will go down by the time GB rolls around. However, nothing is 100% certain atm.

[Nvr_Smile]

Looks like a clean board. I really like the acrylic look. Filled out the IC, hopefully this ends up in a group buy.

[CrazyAssMonkey]

Looks like a clean board. I really like the acrylic look. Filled out the IC, hopefully this ends up in a group buy.

Wait a minute....you?

[Morbus]

👀👀👀 keeping a close eye on this one

[DALExSNAIL]

Looking at the price isn't it rather high for an acrylic board? Especially since it is full acrylic? I don't remember acrylic prices but for how many did you design that quote? Keep note I could just be crazy.

It is a nice board and especially like the self designed PCB.

If done well, it's a better price than you might think. Decent amount of coordination involved with these kinds of cases, and the OP will likely need some buffer room in pricing, for things like QC.

glwic op 

[Dopamine]

Looking at the price isn't it rather high for an acrylic board? Especially since it is full acrylic? I don't remember acrylic prices but for how many did you design that quote? Keep note I could just be crazy.

It is a nice board and especially like the self designed PCB.

If done well, it's a better price than you might think. Decent amount of coordination involved with these kinds of cases, and the OP will likely need some buffer room in pricing, for things like QC.

glwic op 

IDK if you saw at the bottom of the post or not but QC is halfway done already

[DALExSNAIL]

Looking at the price isn't it rather high for an acrylic board? Especially since it is full acrylic? I don't remember acrylic prices but for how many did you design that quote? Keep note I could just be crazy.

It is a nice board and especially like the self designed PCB.

If done well, it's a better price than you might think. Decent amount of coordination involved with these kinds of cases, and the OP will likely need some buffer room in pricing, for things like QC.

glwic op 

IDK if you saw at the bottom of the post or not but QC is halfway done already

Great news then man, sounds like this might go well!

[CrazyAssMonkey]

Looking at the price isn't it rather high for an acrylic board? Especially since it is full acrylic? I don't remember acrylic prices but for how many did you design that quote? Keep note I could just be crazy.

It is a nice board and especially like the self designed PCB.

If done well, it's a better price than you might think. Decent amount of coordination involved with these kinds of cases, and the OP will likely need some buffer room in pricing, for things like QC.

glwic op 

Ahhh makes sense thanks for the info. I want to make clear I wasn't being negative I was genuinely curious on the pricing of these things. I did forget completely about QC which is necessary, my bad on that 

I hope everything goes well and good luck I'll be cheering the IC/GB! 

[Dopamine]

I have a second plate and PCB which I will be building this weekend with NK creams. Look forward to that sound sample.
Do let me know if you want me to live stream it

[woyaodapian]

no RGB support?

[Dopamine]

no RGB support?

Sorry but no RGB support

[woyaodapian]

possibility of underglow or diffuser also out? haha

[bowen]

very unique board, hope to see a group buy of this in the future, gl!

[hkiri]

I had seen pictures on Discord already and it looks and sounds great, but the price is unfortunately a little to steep for an acrylic board.

[dlavelle94]

I really enjoy the aesthetic of this board. I think im in.
- Hot swap PCB possible?

[Dopamine]

I really enjoy the aesthetic of this board. I think im in.
- Hot swap PCB possible?

Hot swap means fixed layout which means no ISO so no, not possible.

[Dopamine]

Bonus update.

[dlavelle94]

Bonus update.

damn thats quick response. appreciate the info. still think im in anyway

[SxM Designs]

I do really like the crystal design. But, the only thing I am reserved about is that acrylic scratches easily.
200 Euros is also a bit too steep for an acrylic case. Hopefully the price may be readjusted if the orders are high enough.

[Dopamine]

I do really like the crystal design. But, the only thing I am reserved about is that acrylic scratches easily.
200 Euros is also a bit too steep for an acrylic case. Hopefully the price may be readjusted if the orders are high enough.

That is a possibility. Depending on what the acrylic and packaging will cost the price could very well go down.
I would rather estimate high right now and lower the price later rather than vice versa.

[Dopamine]

UPDATE: I have built the second acrylic 660 plate with NK creams just now and I have linked the sound sample at the bottom of the first post

[Dopamine]

Update: I can't reveal too much at the moment but I am in talks with vendors to make the GB experience as smooth as possible.

[woyaodapian]

Noice. Good to know that this is still on.

[dlavelle94]

Update: I can't reveal too much at the moment but I am in talks with vendors to make the GB experience as smooth as possible.

Glad to see this is still progressing as very much interested.

[Dopamine]

UPDATE2: Prototype PCBs have been ordered from JLC. They should arrive on the 18th worst case scenario.

[oldcat]

Nicely done!!

[Dopamine]

Nicely done!!

Holy moly
I have oldcats attention?

[SxM Designs]

ONe question since this looks amazing. Any idea on how to maintain this in terms of scratches?

[Dopamine]

ONe question since this looks amazing. Any idea on how to maintain this in terms of scratches?

Keep it on your desktop? I don't know what to tell you bud.
My experience with my acrylic case I would say you should worry more about finger prints
But just wipe down all the different pieces before you put it together and you should be fine then.

[SxM Designs]

Haha. Not really an option when you rotate keebs. I was thinking more in the line of some protective clear plastic or film. Maybe too difficult to obtain I guess.

[Dopamine]

Haha. Not really an option when you rotate keebs. I was thinking more in the line of some protective clear plastic or film. Maybe too difficult to obtain I guess.

The pieces of the board will still have the factory film on it when it arrives to the customer. So when they remove the protective film it will be brand spanking new and shiny
Also the packaging should be pretty protective
I'm working on that at the moment

[unknownair]

Do you have a Discord server or Instagram so i may follow your progress?

[Dopamine]

Do you have a Discord server or Instagram so i may follow your progress?

Unfortunately no. At least not yet
I will post updates here and in the GB thread when that starts
However, I will consider creating a Discord Server when the GB is announced

[Dopamine]

UPDATE: PCB prototypes came in from JLC and apart from a small problem that I have already fixed in the schematic, they work great.
I slapped together a firmware for now just to make sure that all the rows and colums work as intended and they do.
Now I will try and improve the firmware a bit further.
I am also talking to a manufacturer and a Proto has been ordered. Will post photos if the Proto comes out good.
Next step is to secure a manu for the PCB and I already have some leads for that as well.

[ISOxSwap]

Do you have a Discord server or Instagram so i may follow your progress?

Unfortunately no. At least not yet
I will post updates here and in the GB thread when that starts
However, I will consider creating a Discord Server when the GB is announced

Well im in! Were in Sweden will it be made? 

[Dopamine]

Do you have a Discord server or Instagram so i may follow your progress?

Unfortunately no. At least not yet
I will post updates here and in the GB thread when that starts
However, I will consider creating a Discord Server when the GB is announced

Glad you asked, a proto case has been ordered from one potential manu today actually.
Invoice and order confirmation came in this morning.




Well im in! Were in Sweden will it be made? 

[Dopamine]

UPDATE5: First Proto Built!!
So the first case proto finally came in. Yes, there were some issues and they are definitely going to be resolved. The biggest one was the logo on the back was not to the standard that I was hoping but the manufacturer said it was something that was their fault and they are going to fix it. However, all of Sweden is on vacation right now so we will work on it together when the vacation period is over. The other issues were small tweaks and those have already been resolved in the manufacturing files.

So with the first set of PCBs and this case proto i put together a build with Gateron Black inks that have been lubed and filmed and some durock stabs.
Below is a link to some pictures of the build. Note. the case isn't scratched. All that is just dust particles and fingerprint grease that i could not bother to wipe off because I'm just enjoying using this board.
Yes, I am typing this thread on that prototype build.
Pics -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/TfqBDk1hcsrwVzLA9

I also recorded a sound sample. Note my sound recording rig is not the best but whatever.
Sound sample -> https://clyp.it/eqa4vjdi?token=d39819ac6b809d34c4403b0a5b0aa586

A second proto will be built with the case issues and PCB issues fixed and hopefully that will be done by some streamer in the community so they can show off the board way better than I can.

[hottrout]

Nice looking board.

[vincenttngo1]

Huge fan of the clear look in comparison to the frosted you see on a lot of keyboards. Looks really good!

[Dopamine]

Nice looking board.

Huge fan of the clear look in comparison to the frosted you see on a lot of keyboards. Looks really good!

Look forward to the GB

[jaytae]

Transparent and stealth look

[wawa]

Just bought a bunch of black inks that need a board. I love the way this sounds in your sound test

[Dopamine]

Just bought a bunch of black inks that need a board. I love the way this sounds in your sound test

Glad to hear it.

[dlavelle94]

Looks and sounds good, will eagerly await GB

[Ampersand]

Soooooo... beautiful

[bsanto]

This is interesting. but the acrylic body is a bit thick no??

[NotFai]

The board looks very nice and the sound tests sound great, depending on the price this will be a must buy for me 

[Alkrite]

I've been looking for a stacked acrylic board, hyped!