Hello and Welcome to the Mugen Interest Check(https://imgur.com/GdEzLBM.jpg)
IC Form (Updated 01/27/2022): here (https://forms.gle/6gSCV1STUk6wWWVe9)
Discord Server is now live!: https://discord.gg/zFexnTDPVe (https://discord.gg/zFexnTDPVe)
Updates:
- After all the feedback I've received on the design I've done adjustments to it. All feedback was helpful and changes will be reflected in the upcoming prototype. The renders have also been updated to reflect the changes.
Changes to the design (Reference old renders here. (https://imgur.com/a/uYuo2ae)):
- The uneven blocker is no more!
I was able to adjust the physical layouts that I wanted originally to fit with the new blocker.
Thanks to everyone who convinced me to make the change!
- Bumpons have been changed, along with a slight modification to the base.
- Plate was re-designed to be simpler and make more sense.
- Modified the mid accent's side profile, the Front and back angles of the mid accent are now parallel as opposed to the previous aggressive front angle from before.
- Case materials have been finalized, all colors will be aluminum, there will be an option to get a brass mid for each for those who wish.
- All changes mentioned will be reflected in the upcoming prototype.
- View the detailed breakdown of Changes:
More
After going through a lot of the feedback on the IC form, and from members in my discord and friends and other peers in the community, I've updated some key points in the Mugen's design.
Detailed list of updates to the design:
Blocker:
Show Image
(https://imgur.com/SrHbST2.jpg)
The most important change on the face of the keyboard is the blocker by the left arrow. After looking at the layouts in KLE I was able to get a decent configuration for the other optional bottom row layouts.
Show Image
(https://imgur.com/97AHBR0.jpg)
Now the inner blockers are uniform! In all honesty I think it's a good change, It completes the simple front look that I wanted and is more visually pleasing.
I did follow how some other 75's did it, namely the ones that use a 1.5U shift (Evolv75, Box75). I really appreciate everyone who pushed me to make the change.
Plate:
Show Image
(https://imgur.com/RKlCUYm.jpg)
The old plate looked like a mess and honestly didn't make sense, to the point it made someone forget if it was a gasket mount or a top mount.
I simplified it and adjusted mounting points, along with applying the changes brought about by the adjustments in the bottom row.
Top row mounting points now hide right under the junctions of the blockers which hides them adequately from a user's perspective.
Bottom row mounting points were adjusted to be far enough from the spacebar + stabs.
I've also looked into getting more materials available from the get go. Aluminum and POM along with the initially mentioned FR4.
Uneven angles on the side profile:
Show Image
(https://imgur.com/0dlLvhn.jpg)
Show Image
(https://imgur.com/vocHOI5.jpg)
Specifically on the mid accent and concurrently with the top case, I adjusted the angle of the mid accent on the front side (right side in the picture) to be less aggressive and parallel to the back angle.
This gives a better and cleaner look to the shape, I also added chamfers that run along the edges that meet other layers of the case as a nice transition between layers.
Also the gap where the top and bottom case meet has been fixed, that was my bad.
Bottom profile and bumpons:
Show Image
(https://imgur.com/LdUdugn.jpg)
Show Image
(https://imgur.com/hqS3kE1.jpg)
I received a lot of comments regarding the bumpons, so I changed them. I'm now using Blackpaw bumpons designed by AKB, all credit to him! They're really nice bumpons.
After doing some reading and research I've also changed they're placement to be more appropriate to what I'm after, this placement does make more sense.
Because of the change in the bumpons I've also changed the back corners of the base to look more normal and aesthetically pleasing. This brings the edgey factor of the board down by a bit, and the base looks more normal.
I like how it turned out and again I appreciate everyone who pushed me to make some changes!
PCB Options:
Previously I said that I wouldn't be offering a Hotswap option for the PCB, but that has changed with the feedback I've received. I'm considering designing a hotswap PCB, but I won't be decided until after I get the prototype built and tested.
I'd also like to gauge how many people would opt for the hotswap option if it was available, so please drop your thoughts in the updated IC form!
Color options:
Initially the colors weren't set in stone since I was working out the logistics, but that has since changed and I've now decided on final color options for the Mugen, as well as material options for the mid accent.
At first the Grey color was locked to having a copper mid accent, I felt uncomfortable with that idea as well so I decided to make the base kit all aluminum for all 3 parts of the case.
I've also added one more color to the mix and made sure all the mid accents are the highlight of the design, an accent as it should be.
There will be an option to replace the mid with brass, or copper only for the grey color since it's the most expensive option. I'm going with this because I don't want to force anyone to pay more for a certain color and there's more choice.
The mid accent colors are not mix-and-matchable though, so do please take note of that.
Internal modifications:
Show Image
(https://imgur.com/gqsPgpv.jpg)
Show Image
(https://imgur.com/h0pSEEE.jpg)
I've modified the internals of the design based on feedback and research.
I've made the mid accent thicker to increase surface contact between the 3 layers, and there's overlap along the case walls to serve as alignment between case parts and also to add some sealing along the seams of the design.
This change also adds rigidity to the mid accent.
I've fixed some features on the bottom case internals, namely the huge rectangular recess under the alphas. I opted for a more uniform internal bottom since there was a high chance that leaving the recess would cause a sound discrepancy on certain parts of the keyboard whilst typing.
This was also an attempt to adjust the internal space of the case for the sake of sound.
I've also changed where the JST header is placed on the PCB and reflected that on the bottom case, there's now a cable routing channel from the UDB area to the JST header on the PCB, this runs along the space between the F-Row and Number Row.
Not too much change for the top case really, other than reflecting the changes in the plate mounting points and adding plate and case alignment features mentioned above in the mid accent changes.
I am going to be testing an optional o-ring burger mount feature on the prototype to add option for mounting, an easy enough addition to a top mount design.
Status for the new prototype:
Thankfully I got the all the feedback and applied the changes to the design promptly. All the changes mentioned will be reflected in the prototype that I'll be building in the future.
Vendors, pricing and numbers will be more in reach after I get the prototype as well.
The original post has been updated to reflect all the changes in the design. I've also updated the IC form! I really appreciate everyone for giving me feedback and for helping me make the Mugen better than its initial state.
(https://imgur.com/hqS3kE1.jpg)
Design Origins:The Mugen was born from the curiosity of seeing whether I can design my own keyboard with my own aesthetic flair.
I wanted a design that would be eye-catching but also wouldn't be too over-the-top.
The Mugen's aesthetic shows an interesting mid accent, but when viewed from the front it is all about business in its simplicity.
If there was a keyboard in mullet form this would probably be it.(https://imgur.com/uxhkxlI.jpg)
I've always been a fan of keyboards with a mid-accent, and it just worked with the side profile which has been an integral piece since Day 1 of the design process.(https://imgur.com/SrHbST2.jpg)
I'm also a big fan of the 75% layout, personally, it's a good layout without having the size of a TKL but having nearly as much functionality.
The Mugen keeps it simple with just having as many keys as possible that can fit while having the keys spaced out decently.(https://imgur.com/V2QV9ID.jpg)
***Boring stuff*** Why the name "Mugen":More
Mugen, when translated from Japanese to English can mean "infinite" or "infinity".
The name is more symbolic in nature than literal when it comes to this design.
What does it symbolize?
When I first stepped into the keyboard community, the designs I saw were amazing, creative, and unique.
I could only dream of achieving something as great as what other designers have made.
I wanted to give it a shot, doing my research and learning how to use the different tools to make a design from scratch.
This turned into my passion project, I was determined to bring my design to life, and I greatly enjoyed the journey to make it happen.
Mugen: it stands for the infinite potential when you have the motivation and determination to see something through.
Specs:- Aluminum Case with option for Brass or Copper mid accent.
- 7 degree typing angle
- Simple top mount design
- Plate options: FR4, Aluminum, POM
- Physical support for ANSI, ISO, Split Backspace, 6.25U and 7U spacebars.
- STM32 powered PCB
- ai03 Unified Daughterboard
- QMK Compatible (VIA TBA)
- Solderable PCB (Hotswap TBD)
New Layouts:(https://imgur.com/97AHBR0.jpg)
Plate:(https://imgur.com/RKlCUYm.jpg)
Exploded Views:(https://imgur.com/7WWwRdI.jpg) (https://imgur.com/h0pSEEE.jpg)
Final Color Options: - "Solitary"
(https://imgur.com/G32TqLo.jpg) (https://imgur.com/xQ4NSWq.jpg) (https://imgur.com/vocHOI5.jpg)
- "Fantasy"
(https://imgur.com/EHzqnET.jpg) (https://imgur.com/nDk3nRX.jpg) (https://imgur.com/X2yuUIH.jpg)
- "Abyss"
(https://imgur.com/EzxIbqE.jpg) (https://imgur.com/tYpfg2b.jpg) (https://imgur.com/0g1NCWd.jpg)
- "Serenity"(https://imgur.com/Sit1lhX.jpg) (https://imgur.com/gAslU3n.jpg) (https://imgur.com/Lm35Vxf.jpg)
First Prototype Photos:
https://imgur.com/a/IxU7uVS (https://imgur.com/a/IxU7uVS)
Please note that the color in the pictures isn't the final version, obviously a little off.
If you guys have any questions about the V1 proto you can ask me on the discord server.
Please do consider that this is the first prototype, hence there will be major imperfections present.Minor Updates:-
Prototype is in progress. Been working on it for a year or so now and currently I'm waiting for the v2 prototype atm. I will upload pictures of the v1 proto when I can. Sound test and build log once v2 proto comes in!
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Discord server is Under Construction at the moment, I will update this post once it is ready! Server is now live! This is the best way to contact me if you need to.[/size]