hello it is 2022 there is absolutely no reason not to be using a custom pcb and daughterboard for a keyboard that expensive
Except, you know, availability of PCBs and future proofing a very expensive product so people can easily acquire PCBs 3-5 years down the line instead of letting the keyboard rot because they can't find a custom PCB anymore...
So nice, Rik. I understand why you'd choose to do a smaller run - given the obvious risks... but I hope you'll find a way to produce more units. I think this is a winner.
Thank you so much Vis! I really wish this could be the inexpensive you know what Alice replacement we all need it to be, but it frankly wasn't designed to be that. I could cut corners and redesign the top and bottom to be easier to machine, but then it would lose some of the magic. That's a lot of the reason why I wasn't convinced of bringing this to GB to begin with. But I got so much response I thought I should at least try to offer something.
Definitely in. Board looks great, copper gud. Kinda hard to tell from the photos but I assume the PC top has threaded inserts? Any coatings on the copper bottom/plate? Or is it raw?
Bottom is coated! Raw would start to show oils and wear almost immediately otherwise.
I considered doing inserts - both helicoil and threaded inserts - but I chose not to for this design.
On my other board (Serpent65) due to the compression forces from the gasket mount the PC takes a considerable amount of strain when assembling the board.
However, on the Rikia because it is top mount and the bottom is SO much more mass than the top - the threads really don't do a whole lot. The base of the board is extremely stable and the top just slide on. The screws don't do anything to hold it together if I'm honest it could be used pressure fit with half as many screws but I like the aesthetic of the 8 bottom holes.
will you be purchasing your own CNC machines with GB funds?
I can neither confirm nor deny the existence of any CNC, espresso or icecream machines.
