[IC] CNC Aluminum Case for Topre RealForce TKL keyboards

[romevi]

norbauer, do you have an ETA on when you should get the Corian prototype?
I'm super pumped about this case, so I look forward to any and all of your updates!

[pixelpusher]

norbauer, do you have an ETA on when you should get the Corian prototype?
I'm super pumped about this case, so I look forward to any and all of your updates!

+1  ^   Bump  "What he said"

[dgneo]

Corian is looking pretty good

[romevi]

Corian is looking pretty good

The thing I'm stuck on is whether Corian will retain or add to Topre's "plastic" feel, whereas aluminium may or may not take away from it. To me, Topre switches hold hands well with a more plastic sound, so I wonder if the aluminum case will make it any "worse."

[stillzman]

Corian is looking pretty good

thanks for sharing this!


Interested in the sound as well, but regardless the case looks so good that I probably won't care unless it is obnoxious. I guess we'll find out for sure once norbauer gets the sample

[norbauer]

norbauer, do you have an ETA on when you should get the Corian prototype?
I'm super pumped about this case, so I look forward to any and all of your updates!

I keep bugging them about it. This is sort of an "experimental" project for this shop relative to the type of work they normally do, so I'm trying not to push too hard, lest they should decide it's more trouble than it's worth. ;) Of course, as soon as I know anything you guys will too. :)

[Ramiel]

Your prototypes looks beautiful. I'm not a big fan of topre though.

[durainello]

Just wondering, since you've made a prototype with the Aluminium, is it ready to produce perhaps in small quantity yet?

[ewwgin]

Just found out that there was such an IC going on. But hey, better late than never, right? Just joined the recent drop on Massdrop for my very own 87UB55, and I can't wait to get my hands on this case to go with it. I would absolutely love to have a Galactic Blue aluminum case as one of the options. Excellent job with the prototypes so far, they're looking great!

[romevi]

norbauer, do you have an ETA on when you should get the Corian prototype?
I'm super pumped about this case, so I look forward to any and all of your updates!

I keep bugging them about it. This is sort of an "experimental" project for this shop relative to the type of work they normally do, so I'm trying not to push too hard, lest they should decide it's more trouble than it's worth. Of course, as soon as I know anything you guys will too.

Ha, I gotcha!
Excited!

[thebabyparrot]

Maybe this is a pipe dream to ask but I've been thinking about doing a Realforce Bluetooth mod - would there be enough space inside the case to put a battery internally?

[Atredl]

Maybe this is a pipe dream to ask but I've been thinking about doing a Realforce Bluetooth mod - would there be enough space inside the case to put a battery internally?

If this keyboard ends up being aluminum, I wonder if bluetooth would have connection issues. I'm pretty sure that's why aluminum phones usually have plastic bands around the back or sides.

[Stresemann]

I can't wait to give this guy(RF) an awesome housing. Corian and aluminum both are welcome

[mypainishurt]

I'm in it!

[hayt]

Gonna have to start hunting for a 55g RF. I've been considering selling my FC660C for a Realforce and this is the catalyst I needed to make up my mind. That case is snazzy. I'm in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sodiumjoe]

I've been considering selling my FC660C for a Realforce and this is the catalyst I needed to make up my mind.

If it happens to be an NB (blank keycaps) I'd be interested in buying it.

[romevi]

Is the large white base for the watches in Apple stores also made of Corian?

[norbauer]

Is the large white base for the watches in Apple stores also made of Corian?

Very probably. Or at least a similar "solid surface" material.

[elcubismo]

Gonna have to start hunting for a 55g RF. I've been considering selling my FC660C for a Realforce and this is the catalyst I needed to make up my mind. That case is snazzy. I'm in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk4

Not trying to out too much pressure on the Norbmeister but he did mention he might work on a case for the FC660C...

[hayt]

Gonna have to start hunting for a 55g RF. I've been considering selling my FC660C for a Realforce and this is the catalyst I needed to make up my mind. That case is snazzy. I'm in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk4

Not trying to out too much pressure on the Norbmeister but he did mention he might work on a case for the FC660C...

Haha yeah , saw that. Either way, I'm a little tired of the FC660C and have been eyeing the lovely TKL layout of the Realforce for some time. This case design is speaking to me.

[Stresemann]

Gonna have to start hunting for a 55g RF. I've been considering selling my FC660C for a Realforce and this is the catalyst I needed to make up my mind. That case is snazzy. I'm in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk4

Not trying to out too much pressure on the Norbmeister but he did mention he might work on a case for the FC660C...

Haha yeah , saw that. Either way, I'm a little tired of the FC660C and have been eyeing the lovely TKL layout of the Realforce for some time. This case design is speaking to me.

Yeah, this case is screaming.

BTW I love 660c although I don't own one

[hayt]

Gonna have to start hunting for a 55g RF. I've been considering selling my FC660C for a Realforce and this is the catalyst I needed to make up my mind. That case is snazzy. I'm in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk4

Not trying to out too much pressure on the Norbmeister but he did mention he might work on a case for the FC660C...

Haha yeah , saw that. Either way, I'm a little tired of the FC660C and have been eyeing the lovely TKL layout of the Realforce for some time. This case design is speaking to me.

Yeah, this case is screaming.

BTW I love 660c although I don't own one

I love it too. I'm just missing a few keys that I'd like to have back that TKL will provide. Also, since picking up the 980C I somehow prefer it to the 660C. The 980 actually has a different, slightly louder and more clacky sound than the 660C. I can't explain why but I prefer it

Anyways, as soon as I can locate a 55G RF I'll pull the trigger and will throw the 660 on MM in anticipation of this case.

[hayt]

Hi norbauer, I have one question about the design that is sticking in my brain since first witnessing the lovely prototype images.

What was your decision making behind choosing the tight radius around the top perimeter edge of the case? One feature on the Realforce 87U that I think helps make it iconic, is the generous radius used along that perimeter. Perhaps somewhere in the range of 3/8" ? I'm not saying your version should match the original radius, however, I would be curious to see how the edge looks with a slightly softer radius, maybe 3/16" ?

Thanks either way! Eagerly anticipating more updates.

[iamtootallforthis]

I'm gonna need one of these now.

[norbauer]

Hi norbauer, I have one question about the design that is sticking in my brain since first witnessing the lovely prototype images.

What was your decision making behind choosing the tight radius around the top perimeter edge of the case? One feature on the Realforce 87U that I think helps make it iconic, is the generous radius used along that perimeter. Perhaps somewhere in the range of 3/8" ? I'm not saying your version should match the original radius, however, I would be curious to see how the edge looks with a slightly softer radius, maybe 3/16" ?

Thanks either way! Eagerly anticipating more updates.

It was really just a subjective aesthetic choice. My intention wasn't to copy the 87U case too closely, but rather to create a design that would have a unique look to it in the sort of clean, shall we say, "retro-futurism" that drives a lot of my design tastes.

By way of an update: I'm still waiting on those PCB prototypes to arrive from the manufacturer—trying my best to be patient. 

[hayt]

Hi norbauer, I have one question about the design that is sticking in my brain since first witnessing the lovely prototype images.

What was your decision making behind choosing the tight radius around the top perimeter edge of the case? One feature on the Realforce 87U that I think helps make it iconic, is the generous radius used along that perimeter. Perhaps somewhere in the range of 3/8" ? I'm not saying your version should match the original radius, however, I would be curious to see how the edge looks with a slightly softer radius, maybe 3/16" ?

Thanks either way! Eagerly anticipating more updates.

It was really just a subjective aesthetic choice. My intention wasn't to copy the 87U case too closely, but rather to create a design that would have a unique look to it in the sort of clean, shall we say, "retro-futurism" that drives a lot of my design tastes.

By way of an update: I'm still waiting on those PCB prototypes to arrive from the manufacturer—trying my best to be patient. 

Thank you for elaborating! I respect your decision making and totally dig the 'retro-futurism' aesthetic. One of my favorite Industrial Designers is Marc Newson who gives that vibe as well.

[norbauer]

Hi norbauer, I have one question about the design that is sticking in my brain since first witnessing the lovely prototype images.

What was your decision making behind choosing the tight radius around the top perimeter edge of the case? One feature on the Realforce 87U that I think helps make it iconic, is the generous radius used along that perimeter. Perhaps somewhere in the range of 3/8" ? I'm not saying your version should match the original radius, however, I would be curious to see how the edge looks with a slightly softer radius, maybe 3/16" ?

Thanks either way! Eagerly anticipating more updates.

It was really just a subjective aesthetic choice. My intention wasn't to copy the 87U case too closely, but rather to create a design that would have a unique look to it in the sort of clean, shall we say, "retro-futurism" that drives a lot of my design tastes.

By way of an update: I'm still waiting on those PCB prototypes to arrive from the manufacturer—trying my best to be patient. 

Thank you for elaborating! I respect your decision making and totally dig the 'retro-futurism' aesthetic. One of my favorite Industrial Designers is Marc Newson who gives that vibe as well.

I love his work as well! I'm a particular fan of the design of the Montblanc M.

[hayt]

Hi norbauer, I have one question about the design that is sticking in my brain since first witnessing the lovely prototype images.

What was your decision making behind choosing the tight radius around the top perimeter edge of the case? One feature on the Realforce 87U that I think helps make it iconic, is the generous radius used along that perimeter. Perhaps somewhere in the range of 3/8" ? I'm not saying your version should match the original radius, however, I would be curious to see how the edge looks with a slightly softer radius, maybe 3/16" ?

Thanks either way! Eagerly anticipating more updates.

It was really just a subjective aesthetic choice. My intention wasn't to copy the 87U case too closely, but rather to create a design that would have a unique look to it in the sort of clean, shall we say, "retro-futurism" that drives a lot of my design tastes.

By way of an update: I'm still waiting on those PCB prototypes to arrive from the manufacturer—trying my best to be patient. 

Thank you for elaborating! I respect your decision making and totally dig the 'retro-futurism' aesthetic. One of my favorite Industrial Designers is Marc Newson who gives that vibe as well.

I love his work as well! I'm a particular fan of the design of the Montblanc M.

Holy crap I hadn't seen that one! Man, his stuff is clean.

[Stresemann]

Any updates with this amazing project?

[norbauer]

Any updates with this amazing project?

Actually, yes!

I think I've decided to bail on the Corian idea for this particular project and kick that down the road to a different upcoming case I'm working on. The issue is that the RealForce has this huge-ass PCB and footprint, so I've had to engineer everything pretty tightly around that in order to keep things from getting awkwardly out of proportion. However, the Corian manufacturer isn't used to machining really tiny features to tight tolerances. (They say their min cutter diameter is 4.3mm, which strikes me as a bit wacky; I'm still waiting for an answer on why that is the case.) I've seen some phone camera pics of the Corian sample, and the physical one is on its way to me, at which time I'll take some better photos and post them here. However, that sample isn't usable since some small pocket features had to be increased to 4.3mm. There's still a chance I'll be able to work something out with the manufacturer to do the Corian, but at this point I'm just leaning towards doing this design in aluminum and then designing something next with the Corian manufacturing limitations in mind from the beginning. I'm also going to use the throwaway sample to conduct some drop tests, as Rama suggested to me recently at Originative meet-up in LA, so I'll see how durable the material is.

Anyway, I really wanted to do something special in terms of material/finish on this project--because the RF is my favorite keyboard--so, with Corian likely out, I'm planning on offering an option for hard (Type III) anodizing. This creates a color similar to Apple's "space gray" and it is much more resistant to scratching than normal anodizing. So I'll probably offer two finishes: clear Type II (silver color) and clear Type III (dark gray). The hard anodizing is considerably more expensive, so that'll have to be an "upgrade" option. I'm meeting with the manufacturer today about doing it in aluminum and am going to ask them to do a sample in hard anodizing so I'll have pics of it in that finish too.

For this one, I'm looking at manufacturers right here in Silicon Valley and also abroad. Since this design is a bit more fussy than ones I've produced in the past, I'd love to work with a local manufacturer so I can do on-site QC personally, but it may be a challenge to get them down to a price that we can all stomach.

[hayt]

Any updates with this amazing project?

Actually, yes!

I think I've decided to bail on the Corian idea for this particular project and kick that down the road to a different upcoming case I'm working on. The issue is that the RealForce has this huge-ass PCB and footprint, so I've had to engineer everything pretty tightly around that in order to keep things from getting awkwardly out of proportion. However, the Corian manufacturer isn't used to machining really tiny features to tight tolerances. (They say their min cutter diameter is 4.3mm, which strikes me as a bit wacky; I'm still waiting for an answer on why that is the case.) I've seen some phone camera pics of the Corian sample, and the physical one is on its way to me, at which time I'll take some better photos and post them here. However, that sample isn't usable since some small pocket features had to be increased to 4.3mm. There's still a chance I'll be able to work something out with the manufacturer to do the Corian, but at this point I'm just leaning towards doing this design in aluminum and then designing something next with the Corian manufacturing limitations in mind from the beginning. I'm also going to use the throwaway sample to conduct some drop tests, as Rama suggested to me recently at Originative meet-up in LA, so I'll see how durable the material is.

Anyway, I really wanted to do something special in terms of material/finish on this project--because the RF is my favorite keyboard--so, with Corian likely out, I'm planning on offering an option for hard (Type III) anodizing. This creates a color similar to Apple's "space gray" and it is much more resistant to scratching than normal anodizing. So I'll probably offer two finishes: clear Type II (silver color) and clear Type III (dark gray). The hard anodizing is considerably more expensive, so that'll have to be an "upgrade" option. I'm meeting with the manufacturer today about doing it in aluminum and am going to ask them to do a sample in hard anodizing so I'll have pics of it in that finish too.

For this one, I'm looking at manufacturers right here in Silicon Valley and also abroad. Since this design is a bit more fussy than ones I've produced in the past, I'd love to work with a local manufacturer so I can do on-site QC personally, but it may be a challenge to get them down to a price that we can all stomach.

Thank you for the update! Count me in for a Type II and a Type III ! Love the idea of locally made, eagerly awaiting some pricing estimates as I need to start budgeting for these bad boys

[romevi]

Oh, man; oh, man; oh, man.

Count me in for Type III, space gray. Realforce is my favorite and I want to stick to a darker color for the board, so count me in for the upgrade!

[pixelpusher]

Well damn. I really wanted a white case! Ha.  I'm sure the alum realforce will be a hit.  Any hints about what you're thinking about for the corian project?   A chunky 60% case perhaps? 

[stillzman]

Shame about the corian but Type III anodizing sounds awesome. Hope the price isn't too bad, I'll definitely want a darker color. In case the price is too much to stomach, is it possible to get a Space Grey color with Type II?

[Wetherbee]

Not really interested in yet another aluminum keyboard.

I had never been more excited than I was at the idea of using Corian. I've seen artists in brooklyn do amazingly intricate art with Corian and 3d printers. It is a human friendly material and has the perfect properties for a desktop keyboard in terms of how it feels and how you interact with it, as opposed to the hard, cold, unyielding aluminum which is a completely different a s t h e t i c . The aluminum keyboards I use today tend to be cold and are dust and fingerprint magnets.

Having an aluminum keyboard and a space-grey keyboard is meh. However, if you did Corian I'd buy every color available.

Hard anodizing is fine but I'd also combine it with a dip to turn it black.

https://www.anoplate.com/capabilities/anoblack-ec-1/

[norbauer]

Well, I'm the mercy of what's actually possible. I'm determined to figure out the Corian thing eventually, but we're pushing some boundaries here in the use of the material, and it has been really hard even to find a shop that is willing to make a sample for me.

This is the third shop that I've paid to make prototypes, and none has yet been usable. This is a particularly challenging and intricate design (which I also happen to like a lot, aesthetically), so I just feel like if I start from scratch designing for the material on my next case--FC660C, most likely--it'll be more likely to be a success. Making an everyday-use product in Corian is a long-held dream of mine, so I'll keep at it, I promise. I just don't want to keep the RF case from ever happening by pursuing a path too far that may never pan out.

[romevi]

And we wouldn't want a case with which you're unsatisfied.

Thanks for your persistence anyway, and I for one am SUPER excited for the alu case.

[nmur]

This is the third shop that I've paid to make prototypes

well no one can say that you didn't try! thanks for your efforts

aluminum should be a sure-fire success though, can't wait

[elcubismo]

my next case--FC660C, most likely

[sodiumjoe]

--FC660C, most likely--

Do you have an fc660c to work with already? I have an extra one I could loan you or trade for a case, depending on what the price ends up looking like.

[norbauer]

--FC660C, most likely--

Do you have an fc660c to work with already? I have an extra one I could loan you or trade for a case, depending on what the price ends up looking like.

Thank you very much for the offer, but I do indeed have one. It sits on my desk as a reminder to start working on a new design for it soon.

[sodiumjoe]

--FC660C, most likely--

Do you have an fc660c to work with already? I have an extra one I could loan you or trade for a case, depending on what the price ends up looking like.

Thank you very much for the offer, but I do indeed have one. It sits on my desk as a reminder to start working on a new design for it soon.

Awesome, can't wait!

[avid]

Regarding Corian, is the tight fit an issue in only the bottom or also the top case? Something like aluminum base with corian top would be pretty awesome.
Anyway, looking forward to following the process.

[Wetherbee]

Regarding Corian, is the tight fit an issue in only the bottom or also the top case? Something like aluminum base with corian top would be pretty awesome.
Anyway, looking forward to following the process.

Now there is an amazing idea, especially with the seamless top. Aluminum to interface the desk and Corian to interface the human. Would definitely get behind that, especially with a black corian / anoblack anodized 6000 grade aluminum.

[romevi]

:thinking:

[Stresemann]

Any updates with this amazing project?

Actually, yes!

I think I've decided to bail on the Corian idea for this particular project and kick that down the road to a different upcoming case I'm working on. The issue is that the RealForce has this huge-ass PCB and footprint, so I've had to engineer everything pretty tightly around that in order to keep things from getting awkwardly out of proportion. However, the Corian manufacturer isn't used to machining really tiny features to tight tolerances. (They say their min cutter diameter is 4.3mm, which strikes me as a bit wacky; I'm still waiting for an answer on why that is the case.) I've seen some phone camera pics of the Corian sample, and the physical one is on its way to me, at which time I'll take some better photos and post them here. However, that sample isn't usable since some small pocket features had to be increased to 4.3mm. There's still a chance I'll be able to work something out with the manufacturer to do the Corian, but at this point I'm just leaning towards doing this design in aluminum and then designing something next with the Corian manufacturing limitations in mind from the beginning. I'm also going to use the throwaway sample to conduct some drop tests, as Rama suggested to me recently at Originative meet-up in LA, so I'll see how durable the material is.

Anyway, I really wanted to do something special in terms of material/finish on this project--because the RF is my favorite keyboard--so, with Corian likely out, I'm planning on offering an option for hard (Type III) anodizing. This creates a color similar to Apple's "space gray" and it is much more resistant to scratching than normal anodizing. So I'll probably offer two finishes: clear Type II (silver color) and clear Type III (dark gray). The hard anodizing is considerably more expensive, so that'll have to be an "upgrade" option. I'm meeting with the manufacturer today about doing it in aluminum and am going to ask them to do a sample in hard anodizing so I'll have pics of it in that finish too.

For this one, I'm looking at manufacturers right here in Silicon Valley and also abroad. Since this design is a bit more fussy than ones I've produced in the past, I'd love to work with a local manufacturer so I can do on-site QC personally, but it may be a challenge to get them down to a price that we can all stomach.

Thank you for all the effort you are putting in to this project. I am in for both Type II and Type III and ofcourse your next project. Hope Corian works out well in the near future.

[bbmathlvr]

I'll be keeping an eye out for this. If I cannot afford this one then I'll look forward to an HHKB case down the line

[strigif0rm3s]

OMG I want one!

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[HighNoon]

Might have to buy a RF87u 55g for this... if I'm ever able to find one. Looking forward to this design and especially the upcoming FC660C!

[iamtootallforthis]

Might have to buy a RF87u 55g for this... if I'm ever able to find one. Looking forward to this design and especially the upcoming FC660C!

They're available on Amazon iirc