Author Topic: [IC] Prime_M - Prototype delivered!! (updated 2/7/2018) (Read 14360 times)

holtenc · « **on:** Sat, 30 September 2017, 11:56:21 »

Features:

CNC aluminum case with integrated thick switch plate
Brass bottom cover for the extra weight
A full kit that includes fully assembled PCB - ATMEGA32u2
High profile sides to cover gap between plate and bottom of caps
Support for aluminum feet
In-switch back lighting
Flexible layout on bottom row and right-most column
Standard backlight support
Weighs 1.25lbs fully assembled

Kit will include the following:

Aluminum Case & Brass Bottom
PCB
3x Cherry PCB mount Stabilizers
10x Stainless steel scews
6x Rubber bump-on pads

Updated 2/7/2018

Just a quick update. Unfortunately in order to keep overall costs/kit down to a reasonable level I've decided to limit the color choices to black, silver and blue. The particular anodizing provider only offers those 3 colors as "standard". Any other colors comes with a substantial price increase. All that being said, I don't think there is much of a reason to do a group buy / pre-order sort of thing.

For anyone that is interested in black, silver or blue, you will be able to purchase those kits from my site in around a 1-2 months. I haven't yet ordered the PCBs so I can't give an exact price. But I can guarantee that it will be below $150/kit. Hopefully around $130.

Sorry if this is disappointing to anyone that was looking forward to other colors. I'm pretty disappointed myself. Any future projects I do (prime_O will be next) will be done differently to provide more color choices.

Updated 1/26/2018

Big update. I finally got my hands on the prototype. I'm extremely pleased with the way it came out. I hope you guys are as well.

Don't worry. This is the prototype PCB. Those wires won't be there in the production version

) Made an amateur mistake in the routing.

Where the case and brass come together around the USB port came out to fit really nicely

Machining marks left intact. I dig it.

Game Pad Layout

Numpad Layout

SOME OF THE POTENTIAL LAYOUTS

Out dated design pics:

More

Front

Back w/ brass bottom

Back with PCB

Bottom Veiw (T H I C C)

Woodkeys_click made a great suggestion of making the switch plate area extra thick for the additional weight.

FRONT

BACK

To-Do:

- ~~Add counter sunk holes in brass plate for aluminum feet~~
- Pricing
- ~~Fix USB cutout in case. (too small)~~
- ~~Find acceptable screws and adjust models accordingly (screws are hard )~~
- ~~Work on PCB mount stabilizer cutouts on case.~~
- ~~Prototype PCB~~
- ~~Prototype Switch Plate~~
- ~~Prototype aluminum case / brass back.~~

holtenc · « **Reply #1 on:** Sat, 30 September 2017, 11:57:55 »

reserved

aspenc4 · « **Reply #2 on:** Sat, 30 September 2017, 12:52:11 »

Love the idea; if this matches your primekb you can have my money now.

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holtenc · « **Reply #3 on:** Sat, 30 September 2017, 13:19:40 »

Quote from: aspenc4 on Sat, 30 September 2017, 12:52:11

Love the idea; if this matches your primekb you can have my money now.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice! It will be about the same quality, as the same machine shop will be doing the CNC/Laser. A few differences such as rounded tops instead of chamfered etc.

aspenc4 · « **Reply #4 on:** Sat, 30 September 2017, 13:33:28 »

Sweet. Minor differences certainly aren’t a deal breaker for me

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olieatstofu · « **Reply #5 on:** Sat, 30 September 2017, 13:44:33 »

Love this more than the cospad,

Cant wait for this to unravel, I will certainly be kn!

holtenc · « **Reply #6 on:** Sat, 30 September 2017, 14:17:12 »

Quote from: aspenc4 on Sat, 30 September 2017, 13:33:28

Sweet. Minor differences certainly aren’t a deal breaker for me

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Really whatever the majority wants. Rounded or chamfered makes no difference to me. Seemed there were a handful of people that did t care for the chamfered top of the Prime Keyboard

moshjaines · « **Reply #7 on:** Sat, 30 September 2017, 16:45:26 »

really excited about this! looks rad

aspenc4 · « **Reply #8 on:** Sat, 30 September 2017, 17:22:04 »

Quote from: holtenc on Sat, 30 September 2017, 14:17:12

Quote from: aspenc4 on Sat, 30 September 2017, 13:33:28
Sweet. Minor differences certainly aren’t a deal breaker for me

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Really whatever the majority wants. Rounded or chamfered makes no difference to me. Seemed there were a handful of people that did t care for the chamfered top of the Prime Keyboard

Ah, gotcha. If it were up to me I’d prefer to have a consistent aesthetic between the primekb and the m, but I can understand going with the majority on this as well.

Either way I’m in - do what’s best for the community and you can’t go wrong.

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Dominathan · « **Reply #9 on:** Sat, 30 September 2017, 19:36:39 »

Yes please! I'd love to make this a dedicated gaming pad!!

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thekiddzac · « **Reply #10 on:** Sun, 01 October 2017, 20:35:07 »

This is exactly what I need so I can use 40% comfortably! I'd be in.

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holtenc · « **Reply #11 on:** Sun, 01 October 2017, 23:38:33 »

Quote from: thekiddzac on Sun, 01 October 2017, 20:35:07

This is exactly what I need so I can use 40% comfortably! I'd be in.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Nice!

holtenc · « **Reply #12 on:** Mon, 02 October 2017, 11:13:38 »

Made some pretty big changes to the case and added updated renders. Woodkeys_click made a great suggestion. Due to the switch plate being integrated into the case, it's possible to make the switch plate area extra thick for added weight and rigidity.

I've started a conversation with the manufacturer about the case. If what I've posted here is feasible I'll get them working on an estimate. The more I iterate on this, the more I like it.

aspenc4 · « **Reply #13 on:** Mon, 02 October 2017, 22:07:40 »

New renders look great!

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holtenc · « **Reply #14 on:** Mon, 02 October 2017, 22:42:06 »

Quote from: aspenc4 on Mon, 02 October 2017, 22:07:40

New renders look great!

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Thanks man

Peiweisgreat · « **Reply #15 on:** Wed, 04 October 2017, 21:37:40 »

O wow we are getting brass plates on this bad boy now? Not sure if I need those, but a welcome addition nonetheless.

holtenc · « **Reply #16 on:** Wed, 04 October 2017, 21:45:30 »

Quote from: Peiweisgreat on Wed, 04 October 2017, 21:37:40

O wow we are getting brass plates on this bad boy now? Not sure if I need those, but a welcome addition nonetheless.

That's the plan. Just have to see what kind of cost the manufacturer comes up with. I would REALLY like to target $100 for the kit but honestly I have no idea.

justspeechless · « **Reply #17 on:** Sun, 08 October 2017, 11:51:30 »

Is it possible to do a floating key layout instead of the high profile?

holtenc · « **Reply #18 on:** Sun, 08 October 2017, 11:54:04 »

While it would be cheaper, not this time around. Perhaps if I get to do another one I'll make it floating. Keys.

justspeechless · « **Reply #19 on:** Sun, 08 October 2017, 15:10:21 »

No prob. What would be a rough estimate for when this could go live?

holtenc · « **Reply #20 on:** Sun, 08 October 2017, 15:21:28 »

Quote from: justspeechless on Sun, 08 October 2017, 15:10:21

No prob. What would be a rough estimate for when this could go live?

Couple three months. Not really sure. Lots of prototyping to do. ~~Currently implementing a switch from USB mini to C~~.

holtenc · « **Reply #21 on:** Fri, 26 January 2018, 12:21:43 »

Updated with prototype pictures and more info.

aspenc4 · « **Reply #22 on:** Fri, 26 January 2018, 13:33:31 »

Quote from: holtenc on Fri, 26 January 2018, 12:21:43

Updated with prototype pictures and more info.

This is gonna be a slick build; definitely keeping an eye on it!!!

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olieatstofu · « **Reply #23 on:** Fri, 26 January 2018, 14:39:27 »

Quote from: aspenc4 on Fri, 26 January 2018, 13:33:31

Quote from: holtenc on Fri, 26 January 2018, 12:21:43
Updated with prototype pictures and more info.
This is gonna be a slick build; definitely keeping an eye on it!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Quote from: aspenc4 on Fri, 26 January 2018, 13:33:31

Quote from: holtenc on Fri, 26 January 2018, 12:21:43
Updated with prototype pictures and more info.
This is gonna be a slick build; definitely keeping an eye on it!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Yes, what an update! Glad to have waited for this.

lordgiblite · « **Reply #24 on:** Fri, 26 January 2018, 17:20:34 »

Love it! Basically the numpad/macropad I've always wanted, just with stuff I didn't know I wanted!!!

Sharklegs · « **Reply #25 on:** Fri, 26 January 2018, 23:11:41 »

Need so bad. Love the example gaming layout as I've been wanting to do this for a while. Was considering the cospad but this looks more like what I'd like.

holtenc · « **Reply #26 on:** Sat, 27 January 2018, 10:25:05 »

Quote from: lordgiblite on Fri, 26 January 2018, 17:20:34

Love it! Basically the numpad/macropad I've always wanted, just with stuff I didn't know I wanted!!!

Quote from: Sharklegs on Fri, 26 January 2018, 23:11:41

Need so bad. Love the example gaming layout as I've been wanting to do this for a while. Was considering the cospad but this looks more like what I'd like.

👍👍

Puddsy · « **Reply #27 on:** Sat, 27 January 2018, 13:10:17 »

Not something I'd buy, but I like the finish on the bottom of the prototype.

anhthao88 · « **Reply #28 on:** Sun, 28 January 2018, 12:23:44 »

Nice design and interesting customizable layouts. I'm in for one.

holtenc · « **Reply #29 on:** Sun, 28 January 2018, 12:25:53 »

Great. As soon as I get final pricing I'll post over in the GB forum

lordgiblite · « **Reply #30 on:** Sun, 28 January 2018, 12:54:43 »

Quote from: holtenc on Sun, 28 January 2018, 12:25:53

Great. As soon as I get final pricing I'll post over in the GB forum

Excited

holtenc · « **Reply #31 on:** Wed, 07 February 2018, 21:21:43 »

update in OP

lordgiblite · « **Reply #32 on:** Mon, 12 February 2018, 10:00:27 »

Thanks for the update! It is sad that you won't be able to do as many colors as you wanted but I'm just happy that this is still happening

Can't wait that month or so for these bad boys to come up on your site!

holtenc · « **Reply #33 on:** Mon, 12 February 2018, 10:15:33 »

Quote from: lordgiblite on Mon, 12 February 2018, 10:00:27

Thanks for the update! It is sad that you won't be able to do as many colors as you wanted but I'm just happy that this is still happening Can't wait that month or so for these bad boys to come up on your site!

♥️. And now China is shut down until Feb 23 for holiday lol. So hopefully I'll have everything ready by the end of March.

lordgiblite · « **Reply #34 on:** Mon, 12 February 2018, 10:21:36 »

Quote from: holtenc on Mon, 12 February 2018, 10:15:33

Quote from: lordgiblite on Mon, 12 February 2018, 10:00:27
Thanks for the update! It is sad that you won't be able to do as many colors as you wanted but I'm just happy that this is still happening Can't wait that month or so for these bad boys to come up on your site!

️. And now China is shut down until Feb 23 for holiday lol. So hopefully I'll have everything ready by the end of March.

I have to wait a little before purchasing anything else so that's fine with me

having a macropad I'll actually use everyday will be nice lol

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Acereconkeys · « **Reply #35 on:** Thu, 15 February 2018, 01:12:42 »

Looking forward to this!

CallMeCam · « **Reply #36 on:** Tue, 20 February 2018, 03:28:48 »

Looks incredible, definitely interested

holtenc · « **Reply #37 on:** Tue, 20 February 2018, 06:46:35 »

Quote from: CallMeCam on Tue, 20 February 2018, 03:28:48

Looks incredible, definitely interested

Great! I should be placing the PCB order in the next day or two.

Data · « **Reply #38 on:** Tue, 20 February 2018, 09:29:06 »

This is cool. Prototype looks great.

FailureToLoad · « **Reply #39 on:** Wed, 21 February 2018, 07:18:34 »

This is pretty much what I wanted instead of a Gherkin. Thank you for forging ahead with this project!

News:

Author Topic: [IC] Prime_M - Prototype delivered!! (updated 2/7/2018) (Read 14360 times)