http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=63510.msg1487567#msg1487567
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Thanks very much. This is indeed helpful.
Question: Is the upper casing in photos #27-32 a
single piece? If so, that is the problem piece for the GH-122/153.
But thanks. These photos will be helpful.
- Ron | samwisekoi
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Upper casing is indeed a single piece. But when I think about it, there is no inherent reason why it can't be assembled from several thick (3mm) pieces of plastic screwed together. That should reduce moulding costs which is the issue you're concerned with?
I think one major reason to have a moulded casing is because for most manufacturers ordering tens of thousands of casings, they can pay for the moulds. And in return, spending $2 on screws for each keyboard becomes unnecessary. For us with 50-500 orders getting some complicated mould made won't be economic. But in turn, for us each to spend $2 on a bag of screws is no big deal.
I am hoping that we can work this out well. Because if we can design modular casings effectively, possibly in future all geekhackdom will find it much easier and cheaper and we can attain economies of scale.
I'd bet that all geekhackers buy at least 5000 custom boards and casings per year, and that at least 3000 of these should be possibly covered within modular designs that accommodate numpad, 60%, TKL, 104-key and 122-key. If we can make things such that it becomes possible to shoot for production runs of 1000, we will get some serious support. Look at massdrop sales of a few hundred ergodoxes each batch. Can't we get 1000 people to buy parts sufficient to build casings if they were modular and versatile?
