Good day everyone!GB link:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=99711.msg2732481#msg2732481Hi
it's ilouix_07,
Today I am here with an Interest Check for my latest project:
The Volcano660.
This IC is a bit different. This is the first time that I am sharing my personal design. A project that I have developed with my team TianYue Lab. This is also the first time that I am working with manufacturers, so I hope you can be patient with me:p
First up, I proudly present to everyone a "weapon" which will immediately be familiar to most in our community members as it's size and layout is mostly derived from the Leopold FC660M/C.
I called the design the Volcano660, V660 or V66 in short. I haven't decided on either one yet. But, I will keep "Volcano" as the name for my line of keyboard designs for it holds a special meaning to me.
Here is a short IC form for you:https://goo.gl/forms/FCM1S8zj8sIvHtne2Please click here to find out more about gasket mounting and Volcano660:https://goo.gl/LAHjJ6For more updates, you can follow my instagram:https://www.instagram.com/louix_07/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some Q&A here for the curious ones:
Q: If you ask why the name Volcano?
A: Volcanoes are very quiet on the exterior and can be very explosive when you dig deep into their cores. This actually pictures the keyboard's characteristics I am aiming to produce perfectly. The plan was to design an outer case with very simplistic styling cues to match the utilitarian concept I have in my mind. Combine the case with a very tight, compact key layout, a solid inner construction and this becomes that "silent beast" I have been sketching.....
Q: Why this design, the 660 layout?
A: None of the bells and whistles like RGB underglow or fanciful styling side cuts on bezel. Because, I strongly believed in that a true custom keyboard should be typed on and to be experienced by the touch first and foremost. Not just to be viewed as beautiful collectibles and left on the shelf and gather dust if I put it bluntly. Also, I have done enough of 60% already and wanted to progress gradually to other larger layouts.
So you can say the keyboard I've designed looks like a fully programmable FC660 cased in an aluminum outer shell. But,I will tell you it's not the same in every single angle the way I viewed it. Down to even the top surface and the bottom, I think I should let everyone find that little surprise in the pictures I am going to leak.
Q: What do you actually want to set out to achieve with this kit?
A: With all those ideas I've saved up until now, I set out to design the V66/660 with a single goal in mind and that is offer it with the best in all aspects of a premium custom kit. Give it a solid CNC milled case with the finer anodizing treatments I can find, offer every kit in the best conditions that I can possibly.
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I believed everything has to do with how keyboards are constructed internally. With that said, I have only seen such mounting methods ever used on a few premiums and also only on the more costly custom kits made in the past....
And if I haven't hinted enough already, then......
A picture paints a thousand words, I will let the images show you what I have been looking to realize.
I cannot stress enough that this will be one of the more interesting/unique kit.
So, let us enjoy the excitement of an Interest Check first before we talk shop with the full specifications later when I launch this very special buy.
Happy typing, Everyone!
Volcano660 + GMK9009
top view
side view
(renders done by janglad_, updated on 1st/Nov)
Disassembled pic
render 1
render 2
with sa profile keycap
with cherry profile keycap
Redesigned weight
Top case
Connector cut out(Type C updated 4th Nov)
Specifications:
1. Made with 6063 aluminium for case body, brass for plate and weight.
2. Gasket Mounting Design. (To read more about the gasket mount:
https://goo.gl/LAHjJ6)
3. Typing angle is 5 degrees.
4. Case has a natural curved CNC milled top. Option for straight edged CNC milled top will be offered.
5. support for ISO plate available
6. USB type C connector
7. Nett weight of each keyboard case is approximately 2.7KG.
8. Premium materials will be used for the packaging of each keyboard. Boxes will include all case accessories inside eg: 16 pcs of rubber dampers, gold screws in M3 sizing and rubber feet.
Design:
you may check out this short video:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpb8g_RjD2-/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheetColors:
TBD
PCB:
Now i have found 2 PCB solutions:
1. Bootmapper semi-transparent PCB from Percent Studio Designer.
2. QMK PCB from Percent Studio Designer.(updated by 25/Oct)We will now be working with Clueboard for the Volcano’s PCB. It will feature a QMK PCB designed by u/skullydazed @clueboards!(Nov 10)
price:
estimated 330 usd per set.(edited by 25th/Oct)Estimated price will likely see an increase due to the changes made to PCB. please see Update1 in below (Nov 10)
For more, will update soon.
Feels free to follow my instagram for more keyboards and designs:
https://www.instagram.com/louix_07/Thanks
