Quick Update
I have fleshed out the dimensioning a bit more, and have one version of the tenting I quite like. I'm still exploring a swappable/non-screwed-in tent, but I'll do that in parallel with proceeding with the current design.
Brass weights didn't seem popular enough. I dropped it in the current design. It may play a part in the swappable design though.
The next step for me is to get some PCBs and other small parts shipped along with a printed prototype. The challenge is I'm moving in the next few weeks, and with the turnaround on some of these things I cannot have them ship it until I confirm my next address. I may be able to make progress on an alternate tenting scheme all the while but it may depend on some of the smaller parts. Aside from that there will be no progress/updates for about a month from now - sorry!
Current Candidate
These are some renders with the proposed tenting. Please have a quick look and give some feedback! Few notes:
- Tents can be printed at various angles (I'll release some models when this is all done).
- I'll offer alu milled versions (probably at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 degrees depending on demand).
- The ones below are 15 degrees.
- They are screwed in at the bottom, and require additional 4 bumpons (so the final will look like 8 bumpons with tent attached).
- In non-tented mode, there will be 4 screw holes in the bottom of the main case. They can be plugged in with plastic caps, but in non-tented mode they'll be a visual blemish.
The primary challenge is that there's really no prior art on tenting schemes that both look good on a heavier metal case and aren't just built into the main body bottom. There's also a less bulky design possible that I'm exploring but it involves unscrewing the case bottom from the top in order to change angles. Anyway the point here is that there's more work to be here!
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(https://i.imgur.com/hEDG817.jpg)
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(https://i.imgur.com/fdcnm7A.jpg)
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(https://i.imgur.com/NYcUeTw.jpg)
Note: the screw positions on the tents aren't finalized - the lower screw locations will move a bit.
I haven’t seen this take on tenting yet.
It will affect portability, as I think you alluded to. But your approach is more in line with “custom” keyboards, where the elevation angle is set by the designer.
With conventional custom boards, if you like the design of Duck boards like the Octagon, your wrists will have to play along. Offering more than one base “foot section” (I prefer just the foot section being changeable, not the whole keyboard bottom) which can be screwed on is a good compromise with the “ergo” approach, which values customisability more.
And you can even add optional brass weights in the foot section rather than the keyboard. That might simplify the design of he keyboard itself, I guess.
I like it!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
this looks freakin amazing!!
You mention cleaning up tolerances could that possibly also include shaving down the enclosing sidewall thickness?
Also curious question is there a light path for LEDs?
Update
Well things have been moving slow, but time for a progress report. Here are photos of some prototypes I've had made. These won't be final colors - the colors shown are just part of our process.
Dark/Tropical Green
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(https://i.imgur.com/Y1ytL8X.jpg)
Rose Gold (yes I know this just looks like pink, but alas that's anodization for you).
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(https://i.imgur.com/cjjWyxm.jpg)
I have basically finalized design. Remaining is acoustic testing and clean up tolerances a bit more.
I would say I'm 80% finalized with supply chain. More samples will be shipped in in the coming weeks and at that point I should have the info I need from that perspective.
Next up
Continue with the plan outlined above - basically keep working on the solidifying the design and supplier. And work on things like computer renders. Once I have renders, I should be able to post a new [IC] thread and form to gather final feedback.
Thanks all for sticking with me so far. I know it's been slow, but at this point I can promise to make it to GB stage (with low MOQ). And it will be a keyboard that will be my personal daily driver and something I can be proud to deliver.