Phantom/QFR/Filco TKL 100% Open Source Acrylic Case

[roadblock2thesun]

Given that the 3mm plate only holds the switches steady, this design would not lend itself to a hand wired board. Is that correct? I wanted to be able to adapt this to make whatever style board I want, including some odd contraptions. I know there is another thread related to using the lowpoly method and laser cut plates, but I didn't see any discussion of the plat thickness there.

[MOZ]

Given that the 3mm plate only holds the switches steady, this design would not lend itself to a hand wired board. Is that correct? I wanted to be able to adapt this to make whatever style board I want, including some odd contraptions. I know there is another thread related to using the lowpoly method and laser cut plates, but I didn't see any discussion of the plat thickness there.

You have to hot glue the switches.

[roadblock2thesun]

got it, thanks so much.

I wish there were more convenient laser cutting services. I have had no trouble finding convenient laser cutting of acrylic, but finding someone online to cut metal is much more difficult.

[AKmalamute]

and if I could insert another what-if question...Suppose you had a laser cutter make the 3mm plate then took the pieces to a CNC machine (ridiculous economy I'm sure but) and ground down a 45deg slope, preferably half from each side, so that where the switch clipped into place it was 1.5mm but the plate was the stiffer 3mm thickness?

 Would such a design have structural advantages or would it be asking too much to ground off just that much plastic?

[MOZ]

i tried something similar be etching the area where the switch locks in and it gets much expensive, so much so that you could get a metal plate.

[acantha]

My Phantom build is complete! HUGE props to MOZ for his excellent quality case. It looks AMAZING!

my full build album is here: http://imgur.com/a/ZuQ4H

here's a few shots of the fully built case:

[MOZ]

So now we await the Toxic set.

[MOZ]

Thanks for the detailed pics. Let me know if there were ANY issues at all, I would love to get them sorted out. So that is two out the park as compatibility goes, now waiting for ray to test out the budget style with a Phantom plate.

[SpAmRaY]

Thanks for the detailed pics. Let me know if there were ANY issues at all, I would love to get them sorted out. So that is two out the park as compatibility goes, now waiting for ray to test out the budget style with a Phantom plate.

Hopefully soon!!!

[LechnerDE]

Wow, those pics look really good!

I'm really interested in ordering a base case and a couple of different color top layers to mix it up

[Badwrench]

Looks great acantha.  Love that you chose a transparent top so that you can see the phantom pcb.

[acantha]

Looks great acantha.  Love that you chose a transparent top so that you can see the phantom pcb.

thanks! yeah, the transparent top turned out better than i had hoped for.

[Photoelectric]

As already commented elsewhere, the case is excellent! I love that you can see the PCB really well at the top and from the bottom.  Interesting colors too.

[archer]

Absolutely great job with this case! It looks amazing!

Any idea when a GB will be started for this?

[MOZ]

I'm looking to start a flash GB (End in 7 days, fulfillment in 15) in a couple of days, however, there are some road blocks, I don't want to start it and then not be able to fulfill it by the time mentioned.

In anycase, I will start a longer much longer (fulfillment be end of Feb) GB sometime in Nov.

[whiskytango]

MOZ, will you be offering your GH60 and 1800/leeku  cases in the group buy as well?

[MOZ]

Yeah, it will be the great case GB, 60%/40%/GHPad/TKL/1800/Funky/75%/ErgoDox, all the cases!

Just need to evaluate what the time I have and how much I can put into the GB. Honestly it is not looking good for the flash GB, I have to fulfill my current GBs and exams will start in Nov.

[whiskytango]

I understand that. That would be a lot to accomplish in a short amount of time. Well, thanks for all the work, regardless.

[archer]

I'm looking to start a flash GB (End in 7 days, fulfillment in 15) in a couple of days, however, there are some road blocks, I don't want to start it and then not be able to fulfill it by the time mentioned.

In anycase, I will start a longer much longer (fulfillment be end of Feb) GB sometime in Nov.

Hey thanks for such a quick reply! Whether it's the flash GB or the big GB, I look forward to buying some acrylic from you 

[BliTzKiN]

Me too as well! Does that mean you'll only take 15 orders of each case?

[roadblock2thesun]

Moz, did you take on too many projects and get side tracked from this one

Does anyone know what steps would need to be taken when converting the dwg files to svg for use with ponoko?

[MOZ]

No I have not forgotten it, just ran into some exams and stuff. Once they are over, I will be posting the final designs.

[jaymatter]

Great work, Moz! Totally interested in the dxf files for this, if you release them (the title does say open source ). I've decided to make a Phantom

[LechnerDE]

No I have not forgotten it, just ran into some exams and stuff. Once they are over, I will be posting the final designs.

Looking forward to that!

[hellerbarde]

here is a inkscape svg file for curious people without expensive software. (plus the intermediate dxf, but I have no idea whether it's usable, as i dont have autocad)

i hope this is not considered rude.

it's the latest non-disassembled version i found. i'll use that because the lasercutter i have access to has a misaligned lens leading to slightly sheared edges.

Software used: anydwg.com trial version for dwg-dxf and inkscape for dxf-svg (open source)

[MOZ]

hellerblade, thanks for the svg, I'll remember to post a variety of formats next time I put an update.

I'll be posting the latest revision of this case and the various other cases i have been working on for the past few months soon.

Update includes:
- Designed to support flat-head screws and brass standoffs.
- Support for sprakfun mini-USB-B breakout board: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9966
- Possible variants: Square edges, thick border, thicker border in middle layers, etc.

Since it is open source, possibilities are endless

[CalmB4tehPwn]

Hey MOZ, as you know I've been out of the world for awhile, and I've decided on my phantom solution.
That being said, I'd be very interested in picking up something for a second project, a longer term project.

Here's my idea (and part of it has been mentioned before)

Okay, so working with what you've got, but an alum/steel plate (preferably something we can get colored) and bottom piece. Acrylic body pieces, with no feet pieces, or facing (building up around the keys, on top of the plate)

The plan here, is for me to make a wooden foot piece, and face piece, to bolt onto the body from you.

That being said, I know metalwork in your part of the world seems a bit less exceptionally reasonable than acrylic work, so I'm curious if we could pool resources and maybe find something for the aluminum pieces in another part of the world.
Maybe get quotes from people who already have a good amount of familiarity with their local metalworkers?

You shouldn't have to change too much with the designs, to accommodate the metal plate.

Also, no rush on this project. I'm in not place currently to start paying to prototype it, nor am I ready to start working on my end of this build (still haven't done much with my current phantom board), but I'd like to get ideas and digital plans worked out, because I am very serious about this idea.

What do you think? Any suggestions, or questions?

[MOZ]

I'm all for helping out in any manner you want, as long is it 2D designs.

Your project does sound interesting and I recall you PMing me about it as well some time back.

[CalmB4tehPwn]

Yeah, I decided to put it on the back burner for awhile, and make this phantom project my focus.

But I'm thinking about it again.

We'll link up over PM at some point and work out details, but I just wanted to plant the seed today.

[MOZ]

So I am completing what hopefully is the final version of the case, however I need some assistance.

I've done editing and finalising all the parts except the plate layer.

I was making the various possible plate layouts that may be used with the Phantom PCB, and there are just so many options. Attached is an SVG/PNG that contains possible layouts for the STANDARD 1.25 base with various options such as:
- Standard 2u backspace OR split (1 -- 1) backspace
- Standard 2.75u right shift OR split (1.75 -- 1) right shift
- Standard 1.75u left shift OR split left shift
- ANSI 2.25u enter OR ISO enter or split (1 -- 1.25) enter
- Standard function row OR 7bit function row
- 15 key nav cluster or standard TKL nav/arrow cluster
For a total of 96 layouts in a 16x9 matrix.

What I need your assistance in is,
- Check that the layouts correspond correctly to the matrix cell based on headings.
- Do not check each layout for accuracy of switch cutouts as that is correct
- All fixed switch cutouts are in black and the changing cut outs in colored for assistance

Once this matrix is verified, I can then swap out the 1.25 base with the following bases:
- 1.5 Mods
- WKL
- HHKB
- 7bit
- 10x spacebar

For a total of 576 (Who would have thought the Phantom would support this many and possibly more layouts)

[pasph]

There will be a case only option to use with existing plates?

[MOZ]

There will be a case only option to use with existing plates?

Definitely, and that part is sorted, there are some 12 top plates for different layouts for existing and future plates. I just wanted to get everything sorted and then upload everything in a single go.

[MOZ]

Bump, a request for assistance.

[infiniti]

Bump, a request for assistance.

If I understood your request correctly you want help checking for stuff like this?

In the upper left most layout:
     Column: Standard 2.25L.Shift
     Row: 2.75 R.Shift / Standard 2x BackSpace)
>> The cutout for split 1--1 backspace (in green) and 2x backspace (in red) is overlapped.

[MOZ]

If I understood your request correctly you want help checking for stuff like this?

In the upper left most layout:
     Column: Standard 2.25L.Shift
     Row: 2.75 R.Shift / Standard 2x BackSpace)
>> The cutout for split 1--1 backspace (in green) and 2x backspace (in red) is overlapped.

Exactly! Thanks. Anymore that you may have spotted?

[infiniti]

If I understood your request correctly you want help checking for stuff like this?

In the upper left most layout:
     Column: Standard 2.25L.Shift
     Row: 2.75 R.Shift / Standard 2x BackSpace)
>> The cutout for split 1--1 backspace (in green) and 2x backspace (in red) is overlapped.

Exactly! Thanks. Anymore that you may have spotted?

Just that one so far.  I'll go over the rest and report back soon.

[MOZ]

Thanks a whole!

[infiniti]

Thanks a whole!

)

What...What did you just call me? ) ) )

You're welcome in advance a whole too! ) ) ) )

About half-way done.

[infiniti]

MOZ, spotted 16 in total.  I highlighted them in the red in the attached PNG.

Hope this helps!

[MOZ]

Thanks very much! This was immensely helpful!

I'll correct those and now easily swap out the bottom row and then post all the layouts.

[infiniti]

Thanks very much! This was immensely helpful!

I'll correct those and now easily swap out the bottom row and then post all the layouts.

You're very welcome!

I'm game to do a test run for the QFR and Universal TKL Plate.

[Ishamael]

Are further revisions of this still being worked on, or are the files on page 2 or 7 the final product?

[ApocalypseMaow]

My phantom needs this!!!

[goonx]

Wow this is exactly what i've been looking for. thanks!
 
really interested in getting the machined version made out of wood. I'm hoping for something like the MKC case

Not a big fan of metal and arcylic

[MOZ]

Final revisions will be posted early next month,  since right now all my energy is being spent on completing my current GBs.

[LechnerDE]

Final revisions will be posted early next month,  since right now all my energy is being spent on completing my current GBs.

That's great news!

I am ready to throw my money at you

[MOZ]

What money? This is open source

[LechnerDE]

What money? This is open source

Oh, I supposed this would lead to a GB for the final design?

[MOZ]

Not likely.

[MOZ]

I've setup the SVG generator, now you can generate the plate based on your choice: http://www.moz.twisted-artworx.com/TKLCase/

Right now the stab cutouts should work with Costar and both Cherry types for all plates less than or equal to 1.5mm, for thicker acrylic plates it will support Costar via gluing.

I'll add option for Cherry PCB mounted stabs for thick mounting plates later.

P.S: Generated SVG will show an error right now (But you can view the generated SVG), this is due to the added text by the free web hosting. If someone has a small server and they could lend me some resource on it, it would be excellent.

Sorry for the plane-jane layout, I'm not much of a web designer. :-/