Author Topic: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - October GB Start!  (Read 18000 times)

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Offline wokechill

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[IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - October GB Start!
« on: Sun, 02 June 2019, 17:54:08 »
Group-Buy Now Open:https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=102681.msg2816365

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Hey Geekhack,

I've been working on 40% keyboard, and wanted to share my progress and get feedback. I am an avid 40-50% keyboard user, and while there are quite a few well-designed staggered boards around that size, I wanted to make something with the features and layout that suited me best. I wanted to combine the features of my favorite sub-60% boards to create a clean, high-quality board with a great sound, unexpected heft, and HHKB blockers. Behold: the Neuron!


Prototype Pictures:
225385-0
220896-1
225389-2
225387-3
Chameleon cerakoted aluminum case prototype:https://streamable.com/up6tn

Supported Layouts:
220339-4
225393-5
220902-6

Features:
  • 2.5 degree polycarbonate or anodized aluminum case. (No separate top and bottom piece: all one piece)
  • Top-mount plate available in sandblasted brass or polycarbonate plate (and possibly acrylic with sufficient interest, holler at me).
  • 5mm thick sandblasted brass weight with NEURON engraving.
  • QMK-compatible black PCB designed by Worldspawn; on-board atmega with USB-C.
  • Supports full-size 6.25u or 2.25u/2.75u split space layouts. No ortho.
  • No LEDs. No in-switch or RGB. Something something compatibility, get a Razer if you want that.
  • Aluminum case with brass plate version should weigh around 2.5 lbs.
  • Estimated cost $230-245

The polycarbonate and aluminum cases have arrived and being evaluated; so far everything is going smoothly. There is a small run of 15 units being shipped now in a private run for testing, then an open GB will start in October. I am aiming for an October 1st GB start date, with definitely polycarbonate and probably aluminum being offered for case materials. There is a 2:1 preference currently for polycarbonate over aluminum case materials, but sound off if you want it made! The GB will run for a month. Thanks for reading!
« Last Edit: Wed, 02 October 2019, 15:05:30 by wokechill »

Offline Ahngel

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard with Brass Weight
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 02 June 2019, 18:07:29 »
Nice! Definitely in for a pc case

Offline Macmutant

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard with Brass Weight
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 02 June 2019, 18:30:30 »
Nice! Definitely in for a pc case

+1 for a PC case.

Offline PyroL

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard with Brass Weight
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 02 June 2019, 18:48:59 »
Wokeboi gimme keeb :zoomeyes:

Offline dingusxmcgee

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard with Brass Weight
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 02 June 2019, 18:58:40 »
I feel like I’m going to have to get a second job with all these 40s this year :'(

Though I don’t know if I can get rid of at least one key to the right of L. Gotta have my quotes/semicolon.

Offline tex_live_utility

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard with Brass Weight
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 02 June 2019, 20:43:32 »
Handsome design. Would you consider (or consider supporting) swapping the spacebar keys so that the split is more centered under B?
Discord: salt rock lamp#0679 | Reddit: /u/nerdponx | Deskthority: autoload -Uz | Keebtalk: salt_rock_lamp
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Offline FrankPrime

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard with Brass Weight
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 02 June 2019, 20:50:34 »
I always wanted a poly board, perhaps this is the one. Looks great!

Offline Baron

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard with Brass Weight
« Reply #7 on: Sun, 02 June 2019, 23:31:34 »
hotswap?

Offline victorpre

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard with Brass Weight
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 03 June 2019, 01:39:26 »
Seems a very fine design

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk


Offline ttom

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard with Brass Weight
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 03 June 2019, 02:34:01 »
would be very interested in a polycarbonate
Hoarder Collector and designer

Classifieds

Offline Minterly

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard with Brass Weight
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 03 June 2019, 03:44:13 »
gimme gimme

Offline wokechill

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard with Brass Weight
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 03 June 2019, 09:54:29 »
hotswap?

i will have to test it. i dont want to add pegs to the PCB to support it from the bottom because it would reduce flex, so it would be an unsupported PCB held in purely by stabs and switches. PCB rev1 has been ordered to test, but maybe in the GB i could offer it as an option. no promises  ;D

Offline jihadu

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard with Brass Weight
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 04 June 2019, 01:05:37 »
ne leds avail?


Jk good looking board man. Thumbs

Offline tex_live_utility

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard with Brass Weight
« Reply #13 on: Tue, 04 June 2019, 07:25:43 »
hotswap?

 Please, no. The 40% keyboard world has been completely overtaken by hotswap.
Discord: salt rock lamp#0679 | Reddit: /u/nerdponx | Deskthority: autoload -Uz | Keebtalk: salt_rock_lamp
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Offline vosechu

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard with Brass Weight
« Reply #14 on: Tue, 04 June 2019, 19:48:34 »
hotswap?

i will have to test it. i dont want to add pegs to the PCB to support it from the bottom because it would reduce flex, so it would be an unsupported PCB held in purely by stabs and switches. PCB rev1 has been ordered to test, but maybe in the GB i could offer it as an option. no promises  ;D

On my laptreus test board I did northfacing hotswaps, and south facing mx/alps/choc solder holes. It felt like a nice compromise and it makes testing things so easy since you have those solder holes or socket pads wide open even with a switch inserted! At the very least, putting the pads and holes on the pcb so others can solder it would be a lovely nod.

Incidentally, who’s doing your pcb assembly? I’m trying to find a good pcba shop.

Offline macclack

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard with Brass Weight
« Reply #15 on: Sun, 09 June 2019, 00:16:14 »
Very interested

Offline wokechill

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard with Brass Weight
« Reply #16 on: Thu, 13 June 2019, 12:50:13 »
Incidentally, who’s doing your pcb assembly? I’m trying to find a good pcba shop.

i decided against our original manu and am comparing a new round of PCBA quotes. we are comparing elecrow and PCBway for PCBA currently, as they were recommended to me from other vendors and designers in the community. sound tests on the acrylic, polycarbonate, brass, and aluminum plates as soon as the PCBs arrive!

Offline dingusxmcgee

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #17 on: Thu, 13 June 2019, 13:16:51 »
Prototype pics look awesome!

Offline EMC Labs

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #18 on: Fri, 14 June 2019, 08:29:28 »
Looks amazing! In for the PC. Just wishing price tag is sub $250.

Offline diorite

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #19 on: Sat, 15 June 2019, 07:33:56 »
Very interested. Hope you can keep the price point on the lower end of that range.

What key set is that on the aluminum board? It looks quite nice.

Offline asdflkweoiaf23452

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #20 on: Sun, 16 June 2019, 21:14:19 »
Totally interested if it's hotswap.

Offline wokechill

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #21 on: Thu, 20 June 2019, 14:19:02 »
no hotswap. learn to solder.

Offline TuCZnak

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #22 on: Wed, 03 July 2019, 15:38:23 »
Whatever happened, we miss you on the smolkeeb discord. Hope you come back soon  ;)

Offline walletburner

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #23 on: Tue, 23 July 2019, 13:33:19 »
hey everyone, a quick update. first off, im switching names from wokechill to walletburner. second, i've just started a 15 unit miniature run to test logistics before the big run sometime this fall. i picked die hard 40s users and some friends i know for testing, and once i know everything has gone smoothly, i'll launch the full group-buy. the goal at this point is to do 50 units of the aluminum case in 5 colors and 50 units of the polycarbonate case, with options for brass, acrylic and polycarbonate plates available, all with a thicc brass weight. there will also likely be 4mm (or 2mm for the acrylic) EVA foam inserts available for dampening between the PCB and plate. once the protos arrive, i will update this thread with pics. it's happening!
       

Offline wokechill

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #24 on: Tue, 23 July 2019, 13:34:31 »
im switching names from wokechill to walletburner

just confirming from the other account right quick  :thumb:

Offline Visionaire

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #25 on: Tue, 23 July 2019, 13:40:52 »
Preferred Wokechill.

Offline wokechill

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #26 on: Tue, 23 July 2019, 13:51:18 »
Preferred Wokechill.

what about "the artist formerly known as wokechill", like Prince?

Offline bthezebra

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #27 on: Tue, 23 July 2019, 14:40:55 »
Protos look great and definitely excited for this one!

Offline Minterly

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #28 on: Tue, 23 July 2019, 20:26:40 »
Excited for proto to come!!!

Offline MikeTheTiger

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #29 on: Thu, 25 July 2019, 06:16:56 »
Wow...another 40% keyboard. How do you guys type numbers?

Offline realxmlforce

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #30 on: Thu, 25 July 2019, 08:37:54 »
Wow...another 40% keyboard. How do you guys type numbers?
You basically implement new layers like with ctl alt and shift on every normal keyboard. See for example  https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/6ov0lq/g_the_art_of_making_40_keymaps_that_arent_crap//

Offline MikeTheTiger

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #31 on: Thu, 25 July 2019, 08:49:05 »
Wow...another 40% keyboard. How do you guys type numbers?
You basically implement new layers like with ctl alt and shift on every normal keyboard. See for example  https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/6ov0lq/g_the_art_of_making_40_keymaps_that_arent_crap//

Did you see the keyboard in my profile pic?

Offline hayt

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #32 on: Thu, 25 July 2019, 09:07:07 »
Wow...another 40% keyboard. How do you guys type numbers?

easy: one, two, three, four, five, six, nine

Offline worldspawn

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #33 on: Thu, 25 July 2019, 09:44:40 »
Lotta wooshing going on in here, lol. MikeTheTiger started the 40% Discord guys...
I can make acrylic laser cut cases/plates PM for info

Offline walletburner

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #34 on: Thu, 25 July 2019, 11:35:04 »
How do you guys type numbers?

numbers r for nerds who even types a number in 2019 anyway \s, top troll, salute
       

Offline Vigrith

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #35 on: Thu, 25 July 2019, 11:35:51 »
Lotta wooshing going on in here, lol. MikeTheTiger started the 40% Discord guys...

Wow who would've thought that maybe literally one person may not have known that x guy started y discord and actually tried to provide a helpful answer.

/r/woosh everybody! Haha!

Calm down.

Offline worldspawn

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #36 on: Thu, 25 July 2019, 13:28:51 »
His avatar is a 40% board...
I can make acrylic laser cut cases/plates PM for info

Offline KingOfMemes

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #37 on: Thu, 25 July 2019, 14:09:32 »
Lotta wooshing going on in here, lol. MikeTheTiger started the 40% Discord guys...

Wow who would've thought that maybe literally one person may not have known that x guy started y discord and actually tried to provide a helpful answer.

/r/woosh everybody! Haha!

Calm down.
LOL all of these nerds that that didn't get a very inside joke
- Me in my wheeziest neckbeard voice

Offline terrad

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #38 on: Thu, 25 July 2019, 18:45:57 »
Not having a key to the left of L means no (standard) Colemak support. Real bummer.

Offline KingOfMemes

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #39 on: Thu, 25 July 2019, 18:59:41 »
Not having a key to the left of L means no (standard) Colemak support. Real bummer.
Oof, good catch :(

Offline terrad

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #40 on: Thu, 25 July 2019, 19:18:23 »
Not having a key to the left of L means no (standard) Colemak support. Real bummer.
Oof, good catch :(

Adding a column and adjusting the bottom row is the only solution I can see at the moment, and I don't think the designer would do this considering that changes basically everything. Especially given that he already has proto cases and pcbs.

Offline leexy

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #41 on: Thu, 25 July 2019, 21:01:06 »
would look hot with dsa mardi gra

Offline wokechill

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #42 on: Fri, 26 July 2019, 09:28:05 »
 ;D
« Last Edit: Fri, 26 July 2019, 09:30:31 by wokechill »

Offline walletburner

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Re: [IC] Neuron: Top Mount 40% Keyboard - PROTO PICS!
« Reply #43 on: Fri, 26 July 2019, 09:31:41 »
Not having a key to the left of L means no (standard) Colemak support. Real bummer.
Oof, good catch :(

Adding a column and adjusting the bottom row is the only solution I can see at the moment, and I don't think the designer would do this considering that changes basically everything. Especially given that he already has proto cases and pcbs.

when i designed the Neuron i wanted to make an upgraded version of the 12-column designs that had been made popular by the jd40 et al, but if you want colemak there are a few 45% boards like the jd45 and pearl that would suit your needs, but have their own tradeoffs. i'm definitely interested in exploring the layout permutations between 45 - 50% because i think there are some cool ideas in there that haven't been properly implemented, but it wouldn't be until way after Neuron. good luck finding a solid colemak 45%!