geekhack
geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: Kaidesk_Lee on Wed, 24 February 2021, 12:42:26
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I've started to design a macro pad in the same style as my key caps. For now this is just a concept, and I haven't started on the insides yet. Probably best to decide on the appearance first. But I was thinking of using an integrated switch plate, to simplify manufacturing. I can easily machine prototypes when the time comes.
I thought it would be interesting to see what Geekhack thinks of the design, and maybe get some ideas and advice on next steps. The electronics side is my biggest weakness. I'd like it to be easily programmable and repairable.
Anyway please let me know what you think!
Some basic renders I did in Fusion:
(https://i.imgur.com/rsNnpOC.jpg)
Full black anodised alu
(https://i.imgur.com/QiEoIgK.jpg)
Matt black anosided alu case with clear anodised key caps
(https://i.imgur.com/gHIgQg2.jpg)
Clear alu and brass
(https://i.imgur.com/YiWDp8C.jpg)
Black alu and brass
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mini waffle? the lego that never existed?
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Thanks, now I'm hungry for waffles
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lol
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Some more renders:
(https://i.imgur.com/kuhRon0.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/oWHgwLh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/kYKgh2H.jpg)
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From these pretty renders it looks like the PCB would be sat near the bottom of the sloped edge so how nice the hole for the cable looks is going to be an important part of the design.
As for a PCB you could make one designed to fit this case with RGB and USB-C because they're popular, of you could design around the postage board (https://github.com/LifeIsOnTheWire/Postage-Board) as it's not many switches to handwire. Or if you are feeling really creative you could mill the bottom of the plate to hold hotswap sockets in a way the wires wont short, but that would probably get very expensive and you still need a way to get a controller chip in there...