Author Topic: [IC] Meso: Top-Mount Redesign Rendering In Progress!  (Read 14819 times)

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Offline walletburner

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[IC] Meso: Top-Mount Redesign Rendering In Progress!
« on: Sun, 20 September 2020, 12:35:18 »
Welcome to Meso.

253778-0
253780-1
253782-2
253784-3
253786-4
253789-5
253791-6


Introduction

Meso is a 60% sandwich mount keyboard, designed using similar concepts as my previous keyboards (Cajal, Campsite). The goal of this board is to return to sandwich mount in an age of mediocre gasketed designs. Meso features HHKB, WKL, and Standard layout top pieces, with a plate choices encompassing two layouts (Universal or 7u Fixed Layout) and two material options (Brass or PC Half-plate). I would love to hear your feedback to make this keyboard the best it possibly can be. Thanks for reading!  :D

Details:
  • 4.2lb aluminum case with a 4 degree typing angle and sandblasted brass weight.
  • Choice of Drank (purple), E-White, Space Grey, Bushido Red or Blue Steel anodized finishes.
  • QMK-compatible black PCB with copper traces.
  • Choice of HHKB, WKL or Standard layout top pieces to suit your preferences. (WKL and HHKB only compatible with 7u Fixed plate.) 
  • Plate layouts available in Universal or 7u Fixed Layout.
    Universal Layout:
    More
    253793-7

    7u Fixed Layout:
    More
    253795-8
  • Choice of sandblasted brass or polycarbonate half-plate for either plate layout.
  • Daughterboard with JST cable connection to isolate the plate from the USB-C connector.
  • Launch Timeline: TBD (early 2021)
  • Estimated Cost: TBD

Please fill out this IC form if you're interested: https://forms.gle/rA7mgnc2dubk1VDA8

If you'd like to show your support for the project, please add this banner to your signature:
Code: [Select]
[url=https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=108695.msg2959782#msg2959782][img width=468 height=147]https://i.imgur.com/hmCAqAM.png[/img][/url]

Thanks for reading and looking forward to your feedback below. <3
~WB


PS: Big thanks to Dandan, HamKenobi, Tyson, Martakia and LightningXI for their input on this board!
« Last Edit: Sat, 17 October 2020, 15:24:27 by walletburner »
       

Offline walletburner

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Re: [IC] Meso: 60% Sandwich Mount Keyboard
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 20 September 2020, 12:38:15 »
Reserved for updates.
       

Offline yoot

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Re: [IC] Meso: 60% Sandwich Mount Keyboard
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 20 September 2020, 12:38:40 »
I like the bezel. GLWIC

Offline darthcapn

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Re: [IC] Meso: 60% Sandwich Mount Keyboard
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 20 September 2020, 13:02:23 »
I am in!

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Offline zekth

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Re: [IC] Meso: 60% Sandwich Mount Keyboard
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 20 September 2020, 13:10:59 »
Rip ma Walletu

Re: [IC] Meso: 60% Sandwich Mount Keyboard
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 20 September 2020, 13:12:59 »
If this came in Garfield colors I would be in for 300.

Offline walletburner

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Re: [IC] Meso: 60% Sandwich Mount Keyboard
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 20 September 2020, 13:15:54 »
If this came in Garfield colors I would be in for 300.

i dont want to kinkshame but im sure there are cerakoters that will indulge you.
       

Offline Shutter_Shock

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Re: [IC] Meso: 60% Sandwich Mount Keyboard
« Reply #7 on: Sun, 20 September 2020, 14:05:19 »
Definitely interested. Can’t wait for updates and more info.

Offline Space_Case88

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Re: [IC] Meso: 60% Sandwich Mount Keyboard
« Reply #8 on: Sun, 20 September 2020, 14:11:59 »
Oh geez, Burn my wallet now please.

Offline Nonnegaard

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Re: [IC] Meso: 60% Sandwich Mount Keyboard
« Reply #9 on: Sun, 20 September 2020, 14:26:24 »
This is sexy.
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Offline Blastoise

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Re: [IC] Meso: 60% Sandwich Mount Keyboard
« Reply #10 on: Sun, 20 September 2020, 14:35:45 »
Very interested!!! Sign me up

Offline Scottw

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Re: [IC] Meso: 60% Sandwich Mount Keyboard
« Reply #11 on: Sun, 20 September 2020, 15:14:59 »
I wish I had more to say than this looks great.....but well it looks great. Looking forward to the GB.

What does the name Meso mean (inspiration)?

Offline walletburner

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Re: [IC] Meso: 60% Sandwich Mount Keyboard
« Reply #12 on: Sun, 20 September 2020, 18:41:31 »
I wish I had more to say than this looks great.....but well it looks great. Looking forward to the GB.

What does the name Meso mean (inspiration)?

thanks! so in greek the prefix "meso-" means middle. given that i have only made sub-50% boards so far ("micro-") and i haven't made any full-size or similar layouts ("macro-"), Meso just sorta seemed to fit. :)
       

Offline gminso

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Re: [IC] Meso: 60% Sandwich Mount Keyboard
« Reply #13 on: Sun, 20 September 2020, 22:21:58 »
would love to see this design in TKL version. maybe after this?  :)
specially the chamfer and how the keycaps sits a little below the top case. the side cuts.. everything
how about a matching numpad or arrow cluster?
« Last Edit: Sun, 20 September 2020, 22:25:34 by gminso »

Offline paperassgasket

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Re: [IC] Meso: 60% Sandwich Mount Keyboard
« Reply #14 on: Mon, 21 September 2020, 10:54:14 »
After missing out on B R U T A L W K L, I'm 100% in for a walk in that rather intense looking purple.

Offline walletburner

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Re: [IC] Meso: 60% Sandwich Mount Keyboard
« Reply #15 on: Thu, 01 October 2020, 23:03:00 »
after reading a large number of requests for a top mount variant and thinking hard about what i don't think is perfect about the design. i did a quick poll on Instagram last week about what i should do to redesign the Meso. based on feedback, i have done a redesign of Meso as a 4-attachment point top mount board with an accent insert across the front lip. check it out:
252858-0
252860-1
252862-2

since it's ultimately you the potential buyer this affects the most, i wanted to put this redesign to a vote. which plate attachment style do you want Meso to have, top mount or stick with the original sandwich mount design?

Top Mount Gallery: https://imgur.com/a/Z0l5a1T
Sandwich Mount Gallery: https://imgur.com/a/VdvBWpV

Please vote on your favorite design here: https://forms.gle/YTcXZxVs8PBKEeVXA
       

Offline zoo

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Re: [IC] Meso: 60% Sandwich Mount Keyboard
« Reply #16 on: Fri, 02 October 2020, 01:26:21 »
those lines are clean <3

Offline lush_bunny

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Re: [IC] Meso: 60% Sandwich Mount Keyboard
« Reply #17 on: Fri, 02 October 2020, 02:17:51 »
The goal of this board is to return to sandwich mount in an age of mediocre gasketed designs.

Shots fired

Offline walletburner

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Re: [IC] Meso: 60% Sandwich Mount Keyboard
« Reply #18 on: Fri, 02 October 2020, 10:39:28 »
The goal of this board is to return to sandwich mount in an age of mediocre gasketed designs.

Shots fired
We can all think of at least 1 :3
       

Offline walletburner

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Re: [IC] Meso: Vote for Top Mount or Sandwich!!
« Reply #19 on: Sat, 17 October 2020, 13:40:54 »
After around 100 votes, the top-mount design with accent insert has been victorious over the initial top-mount design. I will make more renders in the coming weeks to help people visualize the project better :) thanks for your support and input, and please still sound off with changes or features you want added!
       

Offline pikku-allu

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Re: [IC] Meso: Vote for Top Mount or Sandwich!!
« Reply #20 on: Sat, 17 October 2020, 14:06:22 »
Omg, please compress your images people! There's no need to have file sizes like this.

Offline walletburner

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Re: [IC] Meso: Vote for Top Mount or Sandwich!!
« Reply #21 on: Sat, 17 October 2020, 14:07:37 »
Omg, please compress your images people! There's no need to have file sizes like this.

4K or nothing; get better interwebs :)
       

Offline pikku-allu

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Re: [IC] Meso: Vote for Top Mount or Sandwich!!
« Reply #22 on: Sat, 17 October 2020, 14:17:02 »
4K or nothing; get better interwebs :)

Oh, I have really fast internet, 400 Mbps. The resolution is fine, I'm talking about the size of the files. It's just unnecessary.

Offline walletburner

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Re: [IC] Meso: Vote for Top Mount or Sandwich!!
« Reply #23 on: Sat, 17 October 2020, 14:18:45 »
4K or nothing; get better interwebs :)

Oh, I have really fast internet, 400 Mbps. The resolution is fine, I'm talking about the size of the files. It's just unnecessary.

where's drac?

[edit: just teasing :P images compressed now, started compression after first message. let me know if they're still slow for you.]
« Last Edit: Sat, 17 October 2020, 14:46:35 by walletburner »
       

Offline Primo Jabroni

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Re: [IC] Meso: Vote for Top Mount or Sandwich!!
« Reply #24 on: Wed, 04 November 2020, 20:35:20 »
Omg, please compress your images people! There's no need to have file sizes like this.


I absolutely loved the original design. I wish i was around for the vote to give my input. I really love the accent stripe going all the way around, and the sandwich mount is really great, and also the entire point of this board. I don't fully understand the change but I guess it is what it is now. At the very least, if a hotswap pcb option is available I think that would be really great.

Offline catamscott

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Re: [IC] Meso: Top-Mount Redesign Rendering In Progress!
« Reply #25 on: Wed, 04 November 2020, 21:00:25 »
new top-mount design for sure. that lip accent is pretty slick, much prefer it (and top mount in general) to the visible sandwiched plate layer.

Offline azzipa

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Re: [IC] Meso: Top-Mount Redesign Rendering In Progress!
« Reply #26 on: Wed, 04 November 2020, 21:25:07 »
Nice work with the redesign, you definitely raised the bar. I really like how the bottom edge of the accent piece aligns with the top of the side cutout. Nice attention to detail.

One small edit, my personal preference would be to consider having the corner radius of the front accent piece mimic the corner radius of the side cutout. From the side these two curves might mirror and complement each other adding to the cohesiveness of your design. No CAD skills here, so trying to envision it.
« Last Edit: Wed, 04 November 2020, 21:28:08 by azzipa »

Offline krautcat

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Re: [IC] Meso: Top-Mount Redesign Rendering In Progress!
« Reply #27 on: Thu, 12 November 2020, 13:20:01 »
I am too late, but I really preferred sandwich-mount design more.

Offline KingOfMemes

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Re: [IC] Meso: Top-Mount Redesign Rendering In Progress!
« Reply #28 on: Thu, 12 November 2020, 14:06:05 »
Wow, I'm really into that front lip on the top mount. It's a very unique look

Offline Bl4ck

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Re: [IC] Meso: Top-Mount Redesign Rendering In Progress!
« Reply #29 on: Thu, 12 November 2020, 14:25:08 »
Are you open to offering a black or like oblivion-like grey?

Offline walletburner

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Re: [IC] Meso: Top-Mount Redesign Rendering In Progress!
« Reply #30 on: Thu, 12 November 2020, 14:42:02 »
Are you open to offering a black or like oblivion-like grey?

not against it! and re:my announcement below, cerakoting to a matte black-charcoal would be str8 fire i think.

Wow, I'm really into that front lip on the top mount. It's a very unique look

hey thanks!

Nice work with the redesign, you definitely raised the bar. I really like how the bottom edge of the accent piece aligns with the top of the side cutout. Nice attention to detail.

One small edit, my personal preference would be to consider having the corner radius of the front accent piece mimic the corner radius of the side cutout. From the side these two curves might mirror and complement each other adding to the cohesiveness of your design. No CAD skills here, so trying to envision it.

hey thanks. re:radii so that actually is the case now :) the radii mirror each other.

new top-mount design for sure. that lip accent is pretty slick, much prefer it (and top mount in general) to the visible sandwiched plate layer.

thanks!

and condolences for those who liked the original design. it was relatively close, but the incumbent lost. maybe i will do a sandwich mount again in the future, but i do have good news for all on the project. i just got quotes back and i think i can promise cerakoting as a standard finish for all boards in the GB, with a clear ceramic coating on the sandblasted weight to preserve it forever. this also opens the door to chameleon cerakoting using Gun Candy coatings, among other specialty additives to give us a ton of control over the surface finish. i need to work a bit more on Campsite before this project becomes my priority, but expect more renders before i green-light some prototypes in late 2020/early 2021. hypehypehype.

       

Offline krautcat

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Re: [IC] Meso: Top-Mount Redesign Rendering In Progress!
« Reply #31 on: Thu, 12 November 2020, 15:00:29 »
Did you consider to make top and bottom bezels less? I think the design well complements the sandwich mount but not the top one. Because with sandwich mount there is place to make it with leaf springs (T0mb3ry-like or Thermal one) and there is reasonable place at the top and bottom of bezel for the plate. But with new top-mount design I don't see any purpose behind big bezels, I don't think they feet well. Also I have a question regard mounting holes of the plate, I would like to make them narrower as in classical top-mounts.

Anyway, I am interested in your board despite you betrayed 40% gang  ;)

Offline walletburner

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Re: [IC] Meso: Top-Mount Redesign Rendering In Progress!
« Reply #32 on: Thu, 12 November 2020, 15:22:17 »
I don't see any purpose behind big bezels, I don't think they feet well.

hey buddy, well let's see how well you feet!

Anyway, I am interested in your board despite you betrayed 40% gang  ;)

:pray: thank u; with Campsite on the near horizon and a bluetooth Neuron v2 following Meso, there will be plenty-o-40gang shenanigans to enjoy as well. stay tuned :)
       

Offline krautcat

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Re: [IC] Meso: Top-Mount Redesign Rendering In Progress!
« Reply #33 on: Thu, 12 November 2020, 16:03:16 »
hey buddy, well let's see how well you feet!

I wanted to say fits, not feet. That was blur inside my head, sorry! Yeah, my English is not so good as I want it to be, I am not bilingual person at all. English is not my native language. Sorry again for misspelling!

Tbh I didn't want to say this board has bad design with top mount. I just expressed internal feeling that big bezels don't fit with top-mount design. It is internally felt that this board was design with something different in mind.

Maybe there is possible sandwich mount but without exposed plate?

:pray: thank u; with Campsite on the near horizon and a bluetooth Neuron v2 following Meso, there will be plenty-o-40gang shenanigans to enjoy as well. stay tuned :)

Campsite is good, I like it has two opposite options. But for Neuron I am out, it has too cut alphas. Anyway, I want to stop off-topic saying that I appreciate your designs. Love the fact you went towards 60% but not 65%.

Offline azzipa

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Re: [IC] Meso: Top-Mount Redesign Rendering In Progress!
« Reply #34 on: Thu, 12 November 2020, 21:57:54 »
Sounds like real movement with your project. Looking forward to seeing the new side radii. And cerakote? You're killing me!  :thumb:

Offline noorejji

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Re: [IC] Meso: Top-Mount Redesign Rendering In Progress!
« Reply #35 on: Thu, 03 December 2020, 08:38:39 »
Hey WB, looks like another killer board!

I'm a big fan of top mount and gentle slopes. Think you will do a TKL like this in the future?

Offline Band1t

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Re: [IC] Meso: Top-Mount Redesign Rendering In Progress!
« Reply #36 on: Thu, 03 December 2020, 08:59:38 »
OMG that red is such a nice color!

Looks great :thumb:!

Offline walletburner

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Re: [IC] Meso: Top-Mount Redesign Rendering In Progress!
« Reply #37 on: Sat, 05 December 2020, 18:51:28 »
hey buddy, well let's see how well you feet!

I wanted to say fits, not feet. That was blur inside my head, sorry! Yeah, my English is not so good as I want it to be, I am not bilingual person at all. English is not my native language. Sorry again for misspelling!

Tbh I didn't want to say this board has bad design with top mount. I just expressed internal feeling that big bezels don't fit with top-mount design. It is internally felt that this board was design with something different in mind.


oh i'm just kidding bud! and thanks for appreciating my boards. the tribe has spoken on the mounting style unfortunately, but let's see how you feel when prototype pictures arrive, perhaps in January. i am waiting to green-light things until after Cajal ships. the bezels are only a bit larger than Cajal, and they facilitate the undercut that creates the curve on the bottom of the board where the usb-c port is. any different and it get's a bit too thin.

OMG that red is such a nice color!

Looks great :thumb:!

thanks! i am working on formulating a cerakote that will give us super deep matte red color similar to the render. i'm aiming for "velvety".

Hey WB, looks like another killer board!

I'm a big fan of top mount and gentle slopes. Think you will do a TKL like this in the future?

probably not, though i also said i probably wouldn't ever do a 60%. i really only use 40-45% keyboards both at work and at home, and i try to focus on what i know. i don't have a fresh take on a TKL and cant justify bringing another mediocre one into existence, so i leave it to other designers that might be more insightful about that layout.
       

Offline Atomical

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Re: [IC] Meso: Top-Mount Redesign Rendering In Progress!
« Reply #38 on: Sun, 06 December 2020, 13:54:37 »
Loving the brass weight on this board!

Offline Twist

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Re: [IC] Meso: Top-Mount Redesign Rendering In Progress!
« Reply #39 on: Wed, 27 January 2021, 19:25:03 »
POG