On the frist part of the journey,
I was looking at all the parts,
there was caps, switches and controllers
there was arcs, clusters and staggers.
The first thing I met, was a switch with a click
And a plate with no keys.
I've been through the build of a board with no name,
It felt good to be out of the rain.
In the matrix, you can't remember pins name,
Cause there are so much to give you much pain.
La, la, la la la la, la la la, la, la
La, la, la la la la, la la la, la, la
Ok, more seriously,
2018-08-02 :
The project has changed : new bean bag chair -> new ergonomics -> new requirements -> project evolution
Primary usage : programing, typing
Secondary usage : gaming ? If I can, this will be a bonus.
here are the characteristics of the project :
- full split keyboard, linked through HDMI cable, for sake simplicity.
- 44 keys
- arc of 4 thumb keys plus 6*3 keys on each side
- fully 3d printed parts. As I own a 3d printer, it would be stupid not to use it
- mostly (if not all) switches are MX Browns
- custom printed keycaps, modified DSS profile (or DSA, don't remember)
- column staggered, adjusted to my hand
- wrist rest inspired from Razer OrbWeaver (yet to design)
- firmware : QMK
current status : case modeling and designing
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dGIcklpa54FNSMb7vREfBVNHg_NpeVu43b4Qcn1M4Qs6gemTpEX0AIxykAwKGH7xi1Ed1xuXxWp7tlZrIZA9CPbWqQMcHG22iLuQc_SnSlJRm77FPpEWvvZkD5GiY0ByZVlmKulfVDo3uHX2LdE1xZxlb0AJzz8SVLAzlw-qgf02tMWM7GjhY_0uWwvuw52sS7Ng8-UQux1-oY-3CEL83f70HYtxbx1ON2U1Y4yeB54BoDfB-CwhvZmhSdAOm_gWrsUO4Lt7XCbqvHkXAP1R5fJL6Yv_v8LT24JaODep8RgU0QzkKqGiqM9vqRZwivQZ_EHUDgx3GGdP1gMLdw_uUApsLo1POP3AwtSLTgLJ8gl5s_P-xMF9Y5KtQh2CX-i6l88dHWZhn-lzJohxv8subOWLorTGJoKMC4FVk1xxFKl8vx3YdzwIvJ3CGpaIrZfiN3PZcECoIGakBxk_qjGPaoX3UFNeiSUDCICw-pDeEEY-TvLSAsaGBmztU6UrBYDYHs-OF6276f9zOgKQdQdzCutc6XZu7z7q7t18hSM48ElxAb7vLkSDrtEH9EGJBrD7-RQAEZtX7zDnyblgHtPXWhQT_cFcLx5d9oBcBLo=w737-h884-no)
2018-06-19 :
More
I make this post for my project, that has no name, well maybe it does now... Anyway, as I am new to this, i would to resume all I think I know on the process, and expose my goal (at least rougly at first)
Goal :
- Build a "split" keyboard, not a true split mind you cause it has to sit confortably on my lap while I am in a bean bag chair, but a split design nonetheless, plus It will be easier to do than a full split.
- the ergonomics will look a lot like the Diverge 3.0 with less keys, so : column staggered, thumb arc of 3 keys top, no F key row, no numpad, probably no arrows, and a wristrest.
(https://i.imgur.com/86sjtl7.jpg)
- the keycaps : right now I hope to 3D print them, especially as they wont be standard size (16.5x16mm), if prototyping is not conclusive, well, revert to standard keycaps.
- the switches : Cherry MX Brown, seems pretty standard (edit : ok, I also orderd some reds, and a few silvers)
- Plate mounted on aluminum sheet
- hand wired : PCB is too expansive for the functional gain it offers.
- Diodes : 1N4148
- Controler : Teensy 2.0
Now the process, and please correct me if I'm wrong :
- make a matrix of keys : each diodes connect each switch to its row and are NOT mounted in series, in order to avoid successive voltage drop
- on the controller, each column needs a pin, each row needs one too
- make a Firmware, for ease of use, use EasyAVR, or Keyboard Firmware Builder as both are graphical and allow to set custom matrices
- flash the firmware onto the controler, well I need more info on how to do that (on windows), I guess through Teensy Loader, but I have not yet gathered info on this aspect.
There will more likely be more questions once I'll have done all of this, which is not for now (some furnitures to build and well, daily life)