[IC] La+ (Laplus) - 65%

[Mecha Maker]

La+ (Laplus) - 65% Gasket Mount Keyboard
Designed by Mecha Maker, in collaboration with AEBoards and Keyboard Treehouse

IC Form here: https://forms.gle/ks73KM7GdDBBFcDc6


Photos: La+ Prototype 2


About me:

Hi all, my name is Javan and I'm the designer of the La+ Keyboard. I'm new to Geekhack but have been running keyboard building and switch modding services as Mecha Maker since 2020 while studying to be an industrial designer. During this time, I set out on a journey to design my own keyboard to get more familiar with CAD, experience every step of taking an idea through to a concept and manufacture, and well, because I really wanted to make something of my own!

The La+:

• Semi-seamless two-tone design with curved front lip
• 7.0° typing angle
• 6063 aluminium top and bottom case
• 5052 aluminium plate, white POM plate being considered
• Sandwich poron gasket mount (gasket / plate / gasket)
• AEBoards feet
• Compatible with Constellation PCB
• Blockerless 65% layout. Stepped caps and split backspace supported

Colour Options:


*to be updated with photos of each kit once production samples are received

Option 1 - the protagonist kit. Same colourway as prototype 2:

Top: e-white aluminium
Bottom: blue anodised aluminium
Weight: sandblasted stainless steel
Plate: blue anodised aluminium
PCB: Constellation PCB

Option 2 - the antagonist kit. Will use the red in the paint chip above.:
Top: black anodised aluminium
Bottom: red anodised aluminium
Weight: clear-coated sandblasted copper
Plate: red anodised aluminium
PCB: Constellation PCB

Option 3 - the original vision. Phonecam image will be replaced soon:

Top: e-white aluminium
Bottom: clear polycarbonate
Weight: clear-coated sandblasted brass
Plate: silver anodised aluminium
PCB: Custom La+ PCB (Constellation PCB with RGB underglow)


Details of sale:

Target pricing - $550-600USD
50 units total production run
In-stock sale planned at https://keyboardtreehouse.com/
This will not go to groupbuy. The production run will be fully funded by me and sale will commence only after all units have been received, QCed and packed. Units will then be dispatched as they are sold.


Current status/timeline

22/6/2021 - Prototype 1 and colour chips ordered
16/8/2021 - Prototype 1 received and tested. Many changes made to the design.
18/8/2021 - Prototype 2 ordered
5/10/2021 - Prototype 2 received and tested. Sent out to Qwertlekeys, AEBoards and friends for feedback
16/12/2021 - Prototype 3 ordered
7/1/2022 - Prototype 3 received and tested. Seems good but I will get some more eyes and hands on it for more feedback. Consensus is that prototype 2's blue is the way to go.
8/1/2022 - Geekhack IC created. Will test prototype 3 further while gathering data through the ic form and feedback before committing to the production run.


Socials

For the fastest and most granular updates, visit the #laplus-by-mechamaker channel in the keyboard treehouse discord: https://keyboardtreehouse.com/discord

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbmechamaker/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kbmechamaker/


Initial Renders

Coming soon


Prototype 1 photos




Prototype 2 photos




Prototype 3 photos

Coming soon

[SolidCactus]

Wow that blue is awesome! Very excited about this one.

[chat and team]

I had to wake up at 2 am to comment on this . There ain't no way that 65% kbs can still go for 500-600 . Those who are reading please skip this there have been much better ics that have completed taking photos . To name one the Le fishe if was created earlier today . Would much rather take that over this YIKES.

Sent from my Mi 9T Pro using Tapatalk

[Diggidy]

,

[Mecha Maker]

Fair enough re: pricing. I'll keep that in mind moving forward and see if I can push it closer to the lower end. Since this is only a small run of 50 units, it's hard though especially when the economies of scale aren't in my favour. As a new designer, it wouldn't make sense to be doing massive 200 unit runs even if that would get the per unit price down to the 400-500usd range. If there's enough feedback to this effect, I'll convert to a private run and call it quits.

Thanks for the responses!

[Nonnegaard]

I will actually kill someone for a polycarb bottom version of this.

[merpt]

terrible pricing man, where is it costing so much?

Sent from my M2012K11AI using Tapatalk

[Hyperdimension]

This looks really sexy

[pixelpusher]

Filled out IC form.