geekhack
geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: katotaka on Mon, 16 December 2019, 14:42:20
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First of all please take a look at my previous creation: ApexPAD (https://imgur.com/a/hURYNlN) - FPS game optimized mechanical keypad......... and yeah, you guessed it, Apex Legends.
It is still serving its purpose very well to this day, I would still want some QoL improvements.
Since desk space is limited I would need to change from my main TKL(and numpad) (https://imgur.com/a/ccb1x4M) every time I play FPS games, sometimes I would type but I couldn't if I'm not on Discord with my mates, plus changing keyboard wears out USB ports and cables, USB-C is durable but still...
Games aside, I'm leaning towards split ortho for the comfort it brings, but still want the utility of traditional layout when I work on other stuff, hotkeys of Photoshop, numpad for CAD etc.
......and I'm greedy, I'd want all that while still maintain about the size of TKL, so it inevitably borrows part of CP layout to be the do-it-all board.
While I was messing with KLE, I saw this post (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=98953.0), oh yeah I'm totally copying it inspired ;D
All caps should be found in common keycap sets, or at least obtainable inexpensively.
So here it is:
[attachimg=1]
If my calculations are right the only non-common-104 caps are the 1.75 Shift, 1.5 Ctrl's and Alt's, but sort of common on newer keycap sets.
Case gotta be the same THICC CF plate with 3D printed top and bottom, in CF infused material as before.
Handwired using Postage board mini (didn't count but I think I have enough pins)
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some similar, some staggered, some otrho... but none with numpad
tgr alice
atreus
x-bows
similar idea for split columnar staggered AEKII
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=103804.new#new
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So this is the slightly modified layout for compactness and a bit better aesthetic.
Matrix uses 23 pins so I have two to spare (RGB? Caps/Num lock?)
CAD design next.
[attachimg=1]
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Playing with plate / case design, since built-in palm rest felt so nice I gotta do it again.
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
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That case is looking cool. Do those joints articulate for adjustable tenting?
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That case is looking cool. Do those joints articulate for adjustable tenting?
nope, for this project I'm building a single board
but at some stage I thought about making a right part to pair with the keypad
the top parts are cut into pieces to fit inside my 3D printer, decided to give them some style
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Worked on the design some more, basically a T H I C C carbon fiber plate sandwiched between 3DP pieces, mounted with LOTS of screws and nuts :p
Thought about skipping the nuts and use heat set thread inserts, but that could be decided later
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
Also played around with tented concept, looks comfortable but might actually introduce some issue in use, like reaching a shortcut on the right side with left hand.
[attachimg=3]
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"2D Printed" the plate layout to see if my fingers like it, surprised it get as big as current TKL+NP setup
[attachimg=2]
Left half compared to ApexPAD
[attachimg=3]
small test piece to fit plate mounted stab on THICC plate, gotta get 3mm thick carbon fiber plate CNC'd
[attachimg=1]
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Looking good :thumb:
If you're looking for input I'd probably swap the 1.5 ctrl and alt for standard 1.25s to save you needing an extra kit for two caps in some sets, would also make it a straighter edge down the left side to better match the right. You might even be able to take the extra point out to make the case sides the same? Though maybe you need a bolt there...
Just thinking out loud and aesthetics are personal so if you like the stagger and asymmetrical look go for it.
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That's a neat idea; it needs a name related to plate tectonics.
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name.... platonic.
"... even though it's platonic, you will fall in love."
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Looking good :thumb:
If you're looking for input I'd probably swap the 1.5 ctrl and alt for standard 1.25s to save you needing an extra kit for two caps in some sets, would also make it a straighter edge down the left side to better match the right. You might even be able to take the extra point out to make the case sides the same? Though maybe you need a bolt there...
Just thinking out loud and aesthetics are personal so if you like the stagger and asymmetrical look go for it.
You're right, this layout might need does need extra caps in some sets but I made sure they're common enough, if I did the math right the only non-standard 104 caps are:
1.5 Ctrl
1.5 Alt
1.75 Shift
1.0 numpad 0
but they exist in most recent sets to cover WKL and 65/75/1800 layouts, so I think those will be fine
BTW, the 2.0 NP0 and 2.75 Shift can be replaced by less common mini space bars
About the left Ctrl position:
Some people push Ctrl playing FPS games by laying the "base" of the small finger (instead of tapping with the tip) on a standard 104 layout, I'm one of those people and I found the staggered Ctrl helps on an ortho position since I don't have to twist my wrist, plus its current position mimics the distance and position from WASD on a standard 104.
The current case design gives me vibes of devices in dystopia cyberpunk movies and I kinda dig it ;D
Another reason is the case cover has to be chopped to fit my 3D printer, I might as well just go wild and give it some style, while the CF plate will be outsourced to a CNC vendor.
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Carbon fiber plate just came in!
[attach=1]
I'm excited, immediately slabbed a switch and a stab to test how my scallop concept works on a 3mm thick plate and they fit wonderfully!
[attach=2]
This time I'm using a new vendor, placed a bezel test piece on top to see if the geometries are true to my drawings, seems very decent so far.
[attach=3]
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nice! :thumb:
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I must admit it was a dangerous move ordering CF plates without doing render first, so here it is......
[attachimg=1]
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test fitting the 3DP parts and the CF plate
[attach=1]
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nice work! looks good! :thumb:
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Dope! Keep the updates coming!
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Nice Job, I like how these kind of MS Natural-like keyboard sparks interest, they have been my favorite kind of all.
Yeah, you're right about this layout being sometimes a PITA for shortcuts with left hand, like for a Ctrl+Y. Having few additional keys on the left hand for shortcuts might compensate that, even though it seems a bit too late. You can still get around with a layer revolving around using that left hand Fn key in your firmware though.
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argh, major screw up - every plate mount stabs I could buy feel BAD
now going for 2U amoeba PCBs and PCB stabs.........
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2U amoeba arrived, wiring schematic finished, next:
actual soldering bend 90 diodes
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since the use of Amoeba PCB was not intended I did not account for spacing
PCBs for Enter and R Shift are too close together
had to hack a bit off one of them to fit
[attach=1]
[attach=2]
Row diodes (yeah I knew the NP plus was in wrong direction and it's already fixed :P )
[attach=3]
and started column wires
[attach=4]
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So this is finished, already typing on it for this comment, still have some slight code issue (https://www.reddit.com/r/olkb/comments/g3v20w/qmk_rgb_capslock_and_numlock_indicators_via_light/) about the LED indicators but it will work for now.
Originally opted for tons of RGB LEDs but the unplanned use of 2U amoeba PCBs are blocking them, plus the controller seems struggling to power them all (OG layout has 34 LEDs), so I went for the caps/num lock indicators only.
Still need some sticky tape backed rubber feet/pad but yeah, I'm happy so far.
Zilent V2 x83, lubed w/ GPL205g0
Postage Board Mini
3mm THICC carbon fiber plate
3D printed top/bottom bezel/case in carbon fiber infused PETG material
Generic (Cherry?) 2U PCB stabs x7
EnjoyPBT doubleshot ABS caps (OEM profile) in Sky Dolch colors from KBDFans
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looks great! love the look & shape of it.
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Very nice! :thumb: