[IC] Custom-printed Model M LED Overlays

[njbair]

I'm looking into the possibility of having some custom LED overlays produced for IBM and Unicomp Model M boards. You know, these things:



Except we could make them look however we want. For example:









WHAT I KNOW

- The overlays would be digitally printed on matte-finish polycarbonate with 3M 467 2mil adhesive, then laser-cut.
- I'm still waiting on some price quotes, but depending on quantities I'm hoping for something around the $5 mark.
- MOQ is 100 to 200.
- We can count multiple designs towards the same MOQ, including different window locations (e.g., OG IBM vs. Unicomp).
- There is an option to die-cut the adhesive so that the backs of the LED windows are not sticky, but this adds a lot of set-up cost and is probably unnecessary unless you plan on putting a lot of dirt inside your board, so I'm not going to do it.


WHAT I NEED

- Some good designs.
- Some accurate measurements of Unicomp LED window locations.
- Your interest and support!!!


So, let me know what you think.

[jdcarpe]

Heh, this is a cool idea. I'd be down for some. I'll even try and come up with some designs.

[njbair]

Heh, this is a cool idea. I'd be down for some. I'll even try and come up with some designs.

Here, this may help:

[thatsmrdoctortoyou]

Love the idea, count me in! EDIT: I have some ideas for alpha-numeric options for the second and third lights, anyone know the closest font to that which is IBM uses for these indicator lights?

[njbair]

Love the idea, count me in! EDIT: I have some ideas for alpha-numeric options for the second and third lights, anyone know the closest font to that which is IBM uses for these indicator lights?

I'm using Arial Rounded in the mockups above.

[Den441]

Does it have to be the same general size (unicomp/ibm) to fit into the MOQ? Can it be smaller or larger? For example a badge for an old school G80? Like an Olivetti/TA replica badge with the blue accents is what I had in mind:

[Elrick]

Good idea having more LED overlays available for Model-Ms or other keyboards.

Shall purchase at least 20 when this is up and running because you want something decent to see when you select Caps Lock  .

[derezzed]

I don't own a Model M yet, but I feel compelled to say that your first alternative option is brilliant.

[njbair]

Thanks for the support so far, everyone! BTW, if anyone wants to take a crack at designing something, attached is an SVG version of the "stock" mockup.

And by the way, when i said that multiple designs can count toward one MOQ, I'm thinking maybe 3 or 4 designs total. Once we get some good ideas maybe I can open it up to a vote.

Does it have to be the same general size (unicomp/ibm) to fit into the MOQ? Can it be smaller or larger? For example a badge for an old school G80? Like an Olivetti/TA replica badge with the blue accents is what I had in mind:

Show Image

Outside dimensions are fixed at 23mm x 77.5mm. Sorry...

[heedpantsnow]

Cool idea bro.  I'd be in for a couple.

[njbair]

Good news. After some clarification with the vendor over email I received a follow-up quote today, and it looks like $5/ea. is doable at the 200 MOQ. They have also confirmed it's a digital printing process, which means unlimited colors. The one catch is, at the 200 mark they are limiting it to 3 different designs total, so we'll definitely need to have a pow-wow and decide on the designs we want.

They are also sending me some free samples (fun!!!) of similar labels they have made in the past. I'll try to post some nice pics so you can see what we're getting into.

[heedpantsnow]

Ok well you have the first design. And the second will be my face with two LEDs as eyes. So we just need to decide on 1 more...

[3K]

Ok well you have the first design. And the second will be my face with two LEDs as eyes. So we just need to decide on 1 more...

A minimalistic one would be really cool. How about dark gray only (like in the OP), or white with a gray border (to match the stock M caps)?

[heedpantsnow]

Ok well you have the first design. And the second will be my face with two LEDs as eyes. So we just need to decide on 1 more...

A minimalistic one would be really cool. How about dark gray only (like in the OP), or white with a gray border (to match the stock M caps)?

Yeah I think a minimalist one with minimalist legends (C, N, S) would be cool.

And obviously I was joking about having my face on there

[romevi]

Does it have to be the same general size (unicomp/ibm) to fit into the MOQ? Can it be smaller or larger? For example a badge for an old school G80? Like an Olivetti/TA replica badge with the blue accents is what I had in mind:

Show Image

I like this one a lot.

[ctm]

I love that "Another Light"

[jaffers]

Hey this is a cool concept, and fairly cheap too. I'll see if I can think of some designs that would be cool. When are we looking at this happening?

[rowdy]

What about one with the Geekhack logo?

[mashby]

What about one with the Geekhack logo?

I'd be interested in this as well.

[AKmalamute]

My lost-reply was, I'd be in ... but want something snarky.

I think my suggestion was 'Numb Loc / RULE OF COOL / wait, wut?'

[njbair]

Hey guys. I received some samples of similar labels from the vendor. They are exactly what I imagined! Seems like the exact same material as the original labels. They also have the ability to do "ghosted" windows, where you can't tell it's a window when the light's off but the light still shines through.

I was told we can do up to three designs counted towards a single MOQ.

As far as timeline, I'm not even going to consider it before the new year. Too much going on. But keep the feedback coming, and please share some designs!

[romevi]

Hey guys. I received some samples of similar labels from the vendor. They are exactly what I imagined! Seems like the exact same material as the original labels. They also have the ability to do "ghosted" windows, where you can't tell it's a window when the light's off but the light still shines through.

I was told we can do up to three designs counted towards a single MOQ.

As far as timeline, I'm not even going to consider it before the new year. Too much going on. But keep the feedback coming, and please share some designs!

Can we get one with Compy 386?

[njbair]

Hey guys. I received some samples of similar labels from the vendor. They are exactly what I imagined! Seems like the exact same material as the original labels. They also have the ability to do "ghosted" windows, where you can't tell it's a window when the light's off but the light still shines through.

I was told we can do up to three designs counted towards a single MOQ.

As far as timeline, I'm not even going to consider it before the new year. Too much going on. But keep the feedback coming, and please share some designs!

Can we get one with Compy 386?

I love this idea.

[TalkingTree]

Bottom row: 1st, 4th and 7th are the actual LEDs.

[MoreGin]

Very excited for these! Love the compy idea and the jazz water cup design.

[mashby]

Show Image

Bottom row: 1st, 4th and 7th are the actual LEDs.

Really clever design TalkingTree.  :thumb:

[Winrar]

Sorry for the huge necrothreading, but how did the idea in this thread end?

I was recently looking for a LED overlay with international legends. I finally managed to rescue one from a broken top frame, but I had already purchased some english units at Unicomp.

Given that Unicomp doesn't stock overlays with international legends, it would be nice to have at least a template to make custom designs. There are transparent matt plastic sheets that can be used with regular laser printers and are decent enough to not scream "fake" when placed on the keyboard. They are not expensive, AFAIK.

Best regards.

[romevi]

I totally remember this thread.