[IC] 60% sized GHPad - PCB's, Plates, Cases (OP UPDATED)

[bueller]

Please fill out the interest check form!
http://goo.gl/forms/JqY3XNhkg9

Okay so I've been doing some thinking about this the last few days and I think I have a way that we can make this work.

Plates - I've contacted some local laser cutters so I don't have to worry about shipping from BBS, still waiting back to hear from the place I've used previously but it looks like pricing could actually be pretty favourable (around $20USD per plate, 1.6mm SS). I sincerely appreciate all the work BBS is doing with GH but if I'm the one handling all the shipping it makes no sense ordering them from the US if I have to pay for shipping and wait the 3-4 weeks it will take them to arrive. Less chance for them to get bent or damaged too. Thanks to jdcarpe we have a design that supports standard layouts with 3 x 2u keys, these can also be swapped out for 1u keys. Stabs are Cherry PCB mount.



PCB's - Got thinking about this the other night and decided to do a mockup run on Circuithub so that I can offer a full GHPad kit with PCB. They offer complete pcb manufacture and soldering services and from what I can tell we can get pretty decent pricing for anything over 25 units. At that quantity we'd be getting the PCB's for about $40USD each. Free worldwide shipping too which will cut down on costs.




Cases - Same deal as before, going to source from i.materialise once I have a couple of test units made to check fit and finish. These will be optional as the price breaks are minimal over 5 units (about $22USD each) and they include free shipping on orders over 99EUR.



So basically IF we can get enough people on board for PCB's we should be good to go, the only thing you'll need to do is solder in switches and install stabs. I can probably help by buying some extra PCB's if we get close to 25 units but I just can't afford to shoulder the cost of a full run right now.

[bueller]

Please note that is a ROUGH plate design that I did in 5 minutes, that is why it is missing the holes for securing it to the case. This will be fixed before the final revision.

[Dihedral]

Why not a simpler cutout?

[bueller]

Why not a simpler cutout?

I prefer plates with the complex cutout as it allows switch top removal - much easier to lube and change stems, springs etc.

[bueller]

Here is what I have in store for the 3D printed cases as well, they will be printed in black matte finish and then polished at the printers to remove any minor imperfections. Rough pricing at the moment is about 20EUR per case + shipping.

[LechnerDE]

I'd be interested in 2 plates, if I could buy 2 cases and 2 PCBs from you as well.

Doesn't really make sense, if I had to pay for international shipping for these items seperately...

[bueller]

I'd be interested in 2 plates, if I could buy 2 cases and 2 PCBs from you as well.

Doesn't really make sense, if I had to pay for international shipping for these items seperately...

OP Updated - check it out!

[tjweir]

Do we gain any advantage if we bundle plates together?
I'd like a 5x4 with all one unit cutouts.
I guess it would be cheaper to do it as a one off with bigbluesaw. 

Interested in 2 cases though. 

[swill]

Why not a simpler cutout?

I prefer plates with the complex cutout as it allows switch top removal - much easier to lube and change stems, springs etc.

The alps + MX compatible switch opening should be cheaper to produce and will still allow for the switches to be opened once soldered.

[phishy]

Do we gain any advantage if we bundle plates together?
I'd like a 5x4 with all one unit cutouts.
I guess it would be cheaper to do it as a one off with bigbluesaw. 

Interested in 2 cases though.

I'm planning on doing a run of 5X4 one unit plates at some point in the very near future maybe we can link up.  For 10 dollars more than the price of one, we can get 5 plates.

[tjweir]

Do we gain any advantage if we bundle plates together?
I'd like a 5x4 with all one unit cutouts.
I guess it would be cheaper to do it as a one off with bigbluesaw. 

Interested in 2 cases though.

I'm planning on doing a run of 5X4 one unit plates at some point in the very near future maybe we can link up.  For 10 dollars more than the price of one, we can get 5 plates.

Great, let me know. 

[Data]

This seems cool.  I'm interested for a set.  Need to research compatible PCBs.

[TheOpposition]

Has there ever been Aluminum or Stainless cases?

[bueller]

Has there ever been Aluminum or Stainless cases?

Abostudio did a 6x4 case but to the best of my knowledge there's never even a 5x4 one.  I want to do one cnc'ed out of alu but I'll see how the fit on a 3d printed one goes first.

[bueller]

Why not a simpler cutout?

I prefer plates with the complex cutout as it allows switch top removal - much easier to lube and change stems, springs etc.

The alps + MX compatible switch opening should be cheaper to produce and will still allow for the switches to be opened once soldered.

Are there any other advantages to using the simpler cutout? Just did a quote and the price surprisingly only changed by about 80c per plate so I think I might stick with the more complex layout for more stability unless I'm missing something.

[Dihedral]

Why not a simpler cutout?

I prefer plates with the complex cutout as it allows switch top removal - much easier to lube and change stems, springs etc.

The alps + MX compatible switch opening should be cheaper to produce and will still allow for the switches to be opened once soldered.

Are there any other advantages to using the simpler cutout? Just did a quote and the price surprisingly only changed by about 80c per plate so I think I might stick with the more complex layout for more stability unless I'm missing something.

Generally less complex layouts have less stability. I thought the price difference would be more though. NB. From experience, swill's cutout no. 2 is rock solid.

[swill]

Why not a simpler cutout?

I prefer plates with the complex cutout as it allows switch top removal - much easier to lube and change stems, springs etc.

The alps + MX compatible switch opening should be cheaper to produce and will still allow for the switches to be opened once soldered.

Are there any other advantages to using the simpler cutout? Just did a quote and the price surprisingly only changed by about 80c per plate so I think I might stick with the more complex layout for more stability unless I'm missing something.

Maybe contact Simon at BBS and see if that quote is accurate for the two types of cutout. He agreed that the cutout that you are using would be more expensive to produce.   I would approach it like this: send your current plate and the one with the other cutout and ask "how much cheaper will this second plate be?". I suspect it will be more than an 80 cent difference.

[stoic-lemon]

I had a look on Taobao and found one listing for the ghpad pcb. It seemed to be used? I'm not familiar with the site though, so I could be mistaken. Does anyone have any links to compatible pcbs?

Edit: The pcb I found wasn't even the right size.

[bueller]

Okay so I've been doing some thinking about this the last few days and I think I have a way that we can make this work.

Plates - I've contacted some local laser cutters so I don't have to worry about shipping from BBS, still waiting back to hear from the place I've used previously but it looks like pricing could actually be pretty favourable (around $20USD per plate, complex cutouts, 1.6mm SS). I sincerely appreciate all the work BBS is doing with GH but if I'm the one handling all the shipping it makes no sense ordering them from the US if I have to pay for shipping and wait the 3-4 weeks it will take them to arrive. Less chance for them to get bent or damaged too.

PCB's - Got thinking about this the other night and decided to do a mockup run on Circuithub so that I can offer a full GHPad kit with PCB. They offer complete pcb manufacture and soldering services and from what I can tell we can get pretty decent pricing for anything over 25 units. At that quantity we'd be getting the PCB's for about $40USD each. Free worldwide shipping too which will cut down on costs.

Cases - Same deal as before, going to source from i.materialise once I have a couple of test units made to check fit and finish. These will be optional as the price breaks are minimal over 5 units (about $22USD each) and they include free shipping on orders over 99EUR.

So basically IF we can get enough people on board for PCB's we should be good to go, the only thing you'll need to do is solder in switches and install stabs. I can probably help by buying some extra PCB's if we get close to 25 units but I just can't afford to shoulder the cost of a full run right now.

Really need to see some numbers for interested parties, how many kits you would buy etc so I'll do up a Google poll and post it shortly.

[bueller]

OP updated and here is the link to the Google form for gauging numbers.

http://goo.gl/forms/JqY3XNhkg9

[dimmu]

question: does this include the copy/paste function from real force numpads?

[bueller]

question: does this include the copy/paste function from real force numpads?

The GHPad is fully programmable

[dimmu]

question: does this include the copy/paste function from real force numpads?

The GHPad is fully programmable

awesome. thanks.

[meow a cat]

I'm interested in a full kit with one plate, pcb, and case.

I think for plate options, I would prefer the option of having either a standard numpad layout, or swapping the 2x keys for 1x so I could have a full matrix.

[jdcarpe]

I'm interested in a full kit with one plate, pcb, and case.

I think for plate options, I would prefer the option of having either a standard numpad layout, or swapping the 2x keys for 1x so I could have a full matrix.

If you guys are willing to sacrifice plate mount stabs (so no Cherry plate or Costar), I can design a "universal" plate for you, that will have openings for the Cherry PCB mount stabs, and support full 1u keys throughout, as well as the standard 2u keys in the normal layout. But that's a compromise you will have to decide on as to whether the trade-off is worth the gain.

[tjweir]

I'm for a full matrix of 1u. 

[Data]

I'd rather have what's pictured in the OP and retain the stab options, but I'm interested in whatever the group decides.

[suicidal_orange]

Call me crazy but this is 20 switches max - would it not be significantly cheaper to add a Teensy (or equivalent) space molded in the bottom of the case and hand wire the matrix? It doesn't get any easier than a small grid...

I've not seen much about the GHPad PCB so feel free to sell it to me if I'm missing something

[meow a cat]

I'm interested in a full kit with one plate, pcb, and case.

I think for plate options, I would prefer the option of having either a standard numpad layout, or swapping the 2x keys for 1x so I could have a full matrix.

If you guys are willing to sacrifice plate mount stabs (so no Cherry plate or Costar), I can design a "universal" plate for you, that will have openings for the Cherry PCB mount stabs, and support full 1u keys throughout, as well as the standard 2u keys in the normal layout. But that's a compromise you will have to decide on as to whether the trade-off is worth the gain.

I would prefer the universal plate. Cherry PCB mount stabs also seem a little easier to purchase as well.

I'm still interested no matter what the group goes with though.

[Heliosphere]

Sounds like a fun little project, down for a full kit.

[bueller]

I'm interested in a full kit with one plate, pcb, and case.

I think for plate options, I would prefer the option of having either a standard numpad layout, or swapping the 2x keys for 1x so I could have a full matrix.

If you guys are willing to sacrifice plate mount stabs (so no Cherry plate or Costar), I can design a "universal" plate for you, that will have openings for the Cherry PCB mount stabs, and support full 1u keys throughout, as well as the standard 2u keys in the normal layout. But that's a compromise you will have to decide on as to whether the trade-off is worth the gain.

Universal plate sounds great JD!

Call me crazy but this is 20 switches max - would it not be significantly cheaper to add a Teensy (or equivalent) space molded in the bottom of the case and hand wire the matrix? It doesn't get any easier than a small grid...

I've not seen much about the GHPad PCB so feel free to sell it to me if I'm missing something

Having done hand-wired boards before I really don't want to go down that road again, much prefer PCB's for ease of soldering and longevity of the board. It's also a cost thing - a Teensy alone is going to come to close to $20 with shipping, we might as well spend the extra money and save everyone the time hand wiring.

[Heliosphere]

Is there a source for Cherry PCB mounted stabilizers?

[bueller]

Is there a source for Cherry PCB mounted stabilizers?

Nah sorry mate, I figured people could pick those up with their switches. Just trying to keep the complexity of this to a minimum.

[jdcarpe]

The nice thing about using a PCB mount capable PCB, and/or a universal plate is that you can build it with all 1u keys temporarily, while you wait on stabilizers.

[bueller]

The nice thing about using a PCB mount capable PCB, and/or a universal plate is that you can build it with all 1u keys temporarily, while you wait on stabilizers.

A universal plate would be really helpful - if we can get universal slots on the 2u keys with Cherry and Co-star compatibility that will really simplify ordering and hopefully bring some extra people on board.

EDIT: If you can help me out with that I'll sort you out with a kit for free as thanks

[jdcarpe]

The nice thing about using a PCB mount capable PCB, and/or a universal plate is that you can build it with all 1u keys temporarily, while you wait on stabilizers.

A universal plate would be really helpful - if we can get universal slots on the 2u keys with Cherry and Co-star compatibility that will really simplify ordering and hopefully bring some extra people on board.

EDIT: If you can help me out with that I'll sort you out with a kit for free as thanks

I'll send you a couple plate drawings tomorrow.

Well, it's already tomorrow where you are, but you know what I mean.

[bueller]

The nice thing about using a PCB mount capable PCB, and/or a universal plate is that you can build it with all 1u keys temporarily, while you wait on stabilizers.

A universal plate would be really helpful - if we can get universal slots on the 2u keys with Cherry and Co-star compatibility that will really simplify ordering and hopefully bring some extra people on board.

EDIT: If you can help me out with that I'll sort you out with a kit for free as thanks

I'll send you a couple plate drawings tomorrow.

Well, it's already tomorrow where you are, but you know what I mean.

Haha no worries mate

[bueller]

Only got 6 responses on the Google form, check OP if you haven't already filled it out.

[stoic-lemon]

I'm interested in a PCB but can't say I'm interested in buying a case since I don't really know what the quality will be like. The form won't let me only choose a PCB.

[bueller]

I'm interested in a PCB but can't say I'm interested in buying a case since I don't really know what the quality will be like. The form won't let me only choose a PCB.

Just pop it down as a pcb and plate, I'll offer just a pcb option when it comes to GB time.

[bueller]

Numbers are really coming together! Got 17 people down for a PCB + plate and 14 down for cases.

Going to order a couple of cases to test fit and finish this week and hopefully they should arrive within about 3 weeks. JD has already done up a universal plate for us as well so I'm going to pre-order some plates next week after payday.

[bueller]

Just ordered a couple of cases from the 3D printers in Belgium, should be here in 2-3 weeks! Should have the plates done by then as well so I'll be able to test fit and finish real soon 

[cmadrid]

Awesome! That plate looks perfect

[jdcarpe]

Awesome! That plate looks perfect

[Paranoid]

Form filled. Interested in pcb+plate, not in the case. I'd take more than one pcb but the price is a little too high for now.

[bueller]

Numbers look good so far, I don't think we'll have too much trouble hitting the 25 MOQ. Might have to order a few extra to hit it but I was going to buy a few for late-comers anyway.

[inanis]

I just filled out the form! I am on the fence about the case - I may want to make my own, but I put myself down for 1. I will decide when the time comes. I'm in for at least 1 PCB + Plate though. Very excited!

[Hzza]

I can't fill out the form just yet, but I'm interested in a plate/case/PCB for sure. I'll try to remember to fill the form out when I get back from work tonight.

[bueller]

I just filled out the form! I am on the fence about the case - I may want to make my own, but I put myself down for 1. I will decide when the time comes. I'm in for at least 1 PCB + Plate though. Very excited!

My sample cases actually started production a couple of days ago, should have them within a fortnight so I'll post some pics when they arrive. Looking at the sample photos I'm fairly confident they should look quite nice, only thing I might need to change is the standoffs for the PCB.

[Fire Brand]

Put in my interest for a complete kit, but just wondering would it not be best to add a geekhack username box so that not just everyone can fill it out? :x

[Hzza]

Updated the form last night, I'd probably be down for 2.

Is plateless an option? Looks like the PCB can take it, unless I'm missing something.

[bueller]

Plateless will be an option when it comes to final orders

And the form is actually tied to each persons email so no worries about people submitting multiple times. When it comes to GB time I'll have a new form with all the details required.

[Fire Brand]

Plateless will be an option when it comes to final orders

And the form is actually tied to each persons email so no worries about people submitting multiple times. When it comes to GB time I'll have a new form with all the details required.

Ahh right well thats good then, also keep up the good work Bueller your a star.

[bueller]

Plateless will be an option when it comes to final orders

And the form is actually tied to each persons email so no worries about people submitting multiple times. When it comes to GB time I'll have a new form with all the details required.

Ahh right well thats good then, also keep up the good work Bueller your a star.

No worries man, trying to get as much planned in the early stages as possible to avoid hassles later. I'm hoping to get this turned around pretty quickly once all the parts have arrived, discovered that I can actually pay for all the shipping online with Australia Post and then have all the packages picked up for a small fee. Will add maybe 50 cents to each order but will mean everyone's parcels will ship at the same time instead of me having to do multiple trips to the post office.

Going to place an order for plates today if I can get the time, should hopefully have some photos in the next week or so.

[stoic-lemon]

Great to see this moving forward. Thanks bueller.

[Hzza]

Nice one bueller, looking forward to this.

[korrelate]

Nice! glad I stopped by the IC forum. I read something about mx + alps specs... that would be terrific if that's the case. If it is I'm down for two; if not I'll just grab one. Thanks bueller!

[bueller]

GHpad is MX only unfortunately!

[bueller]

Prototype cases are finished production, should be shipping today but hopefully they'll send me some pics prior to shipping.

Haven't had a chance to order any plates yet, work has been crazy and I won't get a chance to pick anything up till next week at this point.

[bueller]

Well that's disappointing - I have the 3D prints on my desk right now and while the PCB fits perfectly they somehow managed to print it without any of the standoffs in my drawing. Waiting on a message back from them now.

Otherwise the case looks good, will try and get some pics up when I get home.

[bueller]

Ahhh screw it, here's some potatoes.

[korrelate]

I'm down for one kit! Alps compatability would have been a nice plus but whatever: sign me up!

[korrelate]

nice pics! makes me think twice about a plate. I'll get one anyway but now I'm thinking a clear acrylic plate would be fantastic for this pad.

[rsadek]

I'm down for one kit! Alps compatability would have been a nice plus but whatever: sign me up!

Same here! Alps would be great. I'm in. Alps next time!

[Hzza]

Looks good dude, could you use motherboard standoffs for the time being?

[bueller]

Bit pissed off with the prototypes, apparently I messed up the drawing and the standoffs weren't attached to the base (like fractions of a mm off) so they didn't print. Frustrating considering the online render showed them perfectly. And they've basically told me it's my problem so I'm going to have to fork out cash for some more tests. Will keep everyone updated but it will probably be a couple of weeks before I can order more.

[Wilba]

That sucks, and from a customer service point of view, they suck - they should be able to detect it wasn't one contiguous shape before printing, or have someone check it was made correctly before shipping.

You might want to consider Shapeways, if you can get someone in the US to proxy for you. I've had good results from them.

[nubbinator]

That sucks, and from a customer service point of view, they suck - they should be able to detect it wasn't one contiguous shape before printing, or have someone check it was made correctly before shipping.

You might want to consider Shapeways, if you can get someone in the US to proxy for you. I've had good results from them.

Sometimes they're just as bad.  I did a Topre stem that I thought was perfect and it printed in two parts without them alerting me that there was a gap.

[mversion]

Count me in for one PCB and case too.

[breh]

I'm down for a case/pcb/plate if someone could point me to a additional build bill of materials that would be cool too. (Switchces/Stabilizers) and diodes etc if the PCB isn't pre-soldered as it seems it will be though.

[Asininity]

I'm interested in a PCB!

[bueller]

Still hoping to move forward with this but timing hasn't been great lately, think I'm going to do this when I book some time off work. Probably closer to football season because I always take time off week 1.

[breh]

If it's any help I have access to a [http://formlabs.com/products/form-1-plus/]. If you made your part in any of the standard CAD software, I can probably open it up, check it out, and send it over to the printer. I just wouldn't have any board to place in it to check dimensions. I guess I could caliper it though.

[thelectronicnub]

Did this die? I'm still interested in one or two

[bueller]

Just haven't had time to organise anything recently unfortunately. Moving house next month so I've been a bit busy.

[Vypr]

Form filled, one PCB and plate, currently a maybe on the case depending on the quality

[Hundrakia]

I'm down for one of these, if it does pan out. 1 plate, one case.

[Data]

I, too, would still like to see this happen.   

[MikeTheTiger]

I'm down for a case, plate and pcb if this wakes up again. I'm looking for a programmable 1u matrix. Was thinking of just getting a numpad, but I don't like most of what's out there. Plus, I like the idea of building one of these from scratch.

[Kola93]

Just a question, how many people actually end up using their numpads?

I think it is a neat idea to have an extra numpad to use with 60% or TKL keyboards, but do people really end up using it?

[Carlos_the_turtle]

Just a question, how many people actually end up using their numpads?

I think it is a neat idea to have an extra numpad to use with 60% or TKL keyboards, but do people really end up using it?

Personally, I use mine all the time at work but almost never at home.

[Data]

I use the **** out of numpad, but I prefer to have one separate from the rest of the keyboard.  If I need to enter more than 2 numbers it's a numpad operation.  10-key is so fast!

[romevi]

Interested in this. I use mine all the time. The only TKL I have is a Realforce 87U, and I have a Leopold numpad I keep the side. Can't live my life without one, and would love to try the GHPad.

[trees]

Just filled out the form.

[MikeTheTiger]

Any progress on this?

[trenzafeeds]

Looking good! Nice to see people putting together projects for the community.