Author Topic: Re-Create the DataHand - Thumb cluster under development. Project 75% done.  (Read 415196 times)

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Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #150 on: Tue, 26 November 2013, 08:51:35 »
45885-0
everything going well so far. will apply power
after some short circuit testing tonight.

Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #151 on: Tue, 26 November 2013, 08:56:45 »
That's hot. Glad to see this project is still chugging along, it's by far the weirdest input device I've seen but that's what makes it interesting to me :D.

Can you explain a little as to what testing you're doing?

Edit: I'm the epitome of a mechanical engineer (I'm horrible at code and anything electrical) so I'm trying to learn more about the electrical side of things and I'm using keyboards as my gateway ^__^.
« Last Edit: Tue, 26 November 2013, 08:58:57 by CPTBadAss »

Offline regack

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #152 on: Tue, 26 November 2013, 11:07:09 »
That's hot. Glad to see this project is still chugging along, it's by far the weirdest input device I've seen but that's what makes it interesting to me :D.

Can you explain a little as to what testing you're doing?

Edit: I'm the epitome of a mechanical engineer (I'm horrible at code and anything electrical) so I'm trying to learn more about the electrical side of things and I'm using keyboards as my gateway ^__^.

This is probably a great one then, since recreating the mechanism is sort of sort of half mechanical, half electrical...

Anyway, I'm excited to see even more progress. 

Offline agodinhost

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #153 on: Tue, 26 November 2013, 14:27:54 »
awesome work man!
what you think about a GB of your PCB?
doing so we could help you with ideas ...

I'm really interested into this project and I bet that it could help you a lot to speed up the firmware development.
« Last Edit: Tue, 26 November 2013, 14:30:34 by agodinhost »
Building one square I2C keyboard with those 1200 switches (thanks JDCarpe)
GH60 |GH60-Alps |GH60-BT |GHPad/GHPad Alps |GH60-Case |Alps TKL |EL Wire |OS Controller, Round 2 |My Custom Keyboard |WTT/WTB

Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #154 on: Tue, 26 November 2013, 18:24:51 »
Can you explain a little as to what testing you're doing?
I'm going to go at it with a multimeter and make certain that there are no hidden solder bridges
between pins and under SMD resistors and caps so that I don't fry anything when I apply power.
Everything looks clean, but I want certainty.

what you think about a GB of your PCB?
doing so we could help you with ideas ...

I'm really interested into this project and I bet that it could help you a lot to speed up the firmware development.

I would welcome any help. Anyone willing to put one of these together at this point can PM me and I will
provide the design files or coordinate a buy depending upon the level of interest.

In my imagination I will be turning on the LEDs controlled by the I/O expander tonight... but I have a good imagination.

 




Offline regack

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #155 on: Tue, 26 November 2013, 19:50:22 »

I would welcome any help. Anyone willing to put one of these together at this point can PM me and I will
provide the design files or coordinate a buy depending upon the level of interest.


If I didn't already have 5 projects going I would jump all over this...


Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #156 on: Tue, 26 November 2013, 22:29:17 »
My I2C link is working! I have control over the status
LEDs on both the left and right finger PCBs!
Can't express how geeked and satisfied I am right now.

So far I've found only minor errors on the PCB, the
circuit seems to be working, the software has been close,
assembly has gone smooth, my ISR-driven I2C driver is
working, and it is almost a holiday.

I should buy a lotto ticket!

I'll work on mounting up the switches starting the first
week of December.

WooHoo!

some crappy stills of various LEDs all aglow:
45959-0
45961-1
45963-2
« Last Edit: Tue, 26 November 2013, 22:32:23 by OldDataHands »

Offline metalliqaz

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #157 on: Tue, 26 November 2013, 22:35:10 »
Looking good.  Looking real good.  Legend in the making

Offline Input Nirvana

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #158 on: Tue, 26 November 2013, 23:27:18 »
Nice this has continued and that interest has grown. I'm hoping to be able to jump in a bit myself by spring as improved life changes allow.

Couple quick thoughts:
Any improvements to the original Datahand would really fuel any Datahanders into purchases. There are many existing users and many that need/will need but don't have.
Datahand mouse is weak. Pretty much any improvement is a drastic move in a positive direction.
Some good thoughts about using thumbs more. I absolutely agree.
As far as programmability, I think that would allow the new unit to be more easily adapted and could be crucial to filling a void Datahand did not fill.
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Offline eviltobz

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #159 on: Wed, 27 November 2013, 02:56:47 »
This project is continuing to keep me excited :) Nice work ODH, I'm eagerly looking forwards to the next instalment now.

Offline agodinhost

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #160 on: Wed, 27 November 2013, 04:54:02 »

I would welcome any help. Anyone willing to put one of these together at this point can PM me and I will
provide the design files or coordinate a buy depending upon the level of interest.


If I didn't already have 5 projects going I would jump all over this...
Yup, I'm at the same page man - however most of my projects are kinda sleeping awaiting for the GH60 or stabs.
This project deserves a high priority - sucking awesome!
Building one square I2C keyboard with those 1200 switches (thanks JDCarpe)
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Offline Baughn

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #161 on: Wed, 04 December 2013, 10:51:59 »
Oh, my.

I was thinking of doing something like this, but I'd have needed to learn everything from scratch. You look like you've got it covered.  :D

I'll definitely be watching, hoping for a Kickstarter at some point.

Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #162 on: Sun, 08 December 2013, 23:49:32 »
Just a minor update - managed to get a single finger
assembly assembled today. The improved 3D model
(3rd revision) is dramatically better all around.
Assembly was much easier, particularly for the center
pushbutton - getting the metal clip in place was a
matter of just a few seconds rather than a battle of 5
minutes fiddling with these small parts. Also, the
problem I had in the second model of an internal part
not really wanting to be inserted is corrected - went
together beautifully.

Feel-wise things are also very-much improved. The
actuation force is in the right neighborhood without
much experimentation, and the release is very
consistent for each of the switches, with the N/E/S/W
switches showing the biggest improvement here, as
before they were rather mushy...

Perhaps the most offensive thing from the 1st and
2nd prototypes was the wobbly feel of the center
button in its home position. This is significantly
improved, and I think acceptable now.

I'm still waiting on the re-print from Shapeways that
has been in the queue now for 3+ weeks... I'm now
also waiting on the print of the parts for the right
side so that I can complete assembly.

For the moment I'll be able to assemble 15 switches
(3 fingers) and test on the I2C I/O expander side -
perhaps this week.

Anxious to get this part finalized so that I can move
on to the thumb switches - though I've already got
40 switches for just fingers! as many as the SmallFry KB!


Offline agodinhost

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #163 on: Mon, 09 December 2013, 16:25:40 »
pictures???? please ...
Building one square I2C keyboard with those 1200 switches (thanks JDCarpe)
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Offline eviltobz

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #164 on: Mon, 09 December 2013, 17:18:50 »
pictures??? samples posted to my address please! ;)

Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #165 on: Mon, 09 December 2013, 20:22:01 »
Here you go:

47431-0

On the left is an assembled finger unit (5 switches) with the South switch propped open.

To the right of that shows the progress of my 0.040" x 0.015" steel strips as they get bent
into the shape needed for the N/E/S/W switches, complete with the two bits trimmed off
the end of the final shape.

To the right of that is an empty switch carrier surrounded by the 4 N/E/S/W keys.

Up and to the right of that is a partially populated switch carrier containing one metal piece
for the E key, and the parts for the center switch populated (minus the center key)

Below that are the mechanical bits that make up the center switch.
The key, the lever (loaded with a magnet), the metal clip for the center switch
(a 0.050" x 0.015" strip) and the block that now holds that clip in when trapped
by the funny angled arms in the carrier.

The photo freaks will have to excuse the chromatic aberration, over-exposure and
insufficent depth of field... This is the best I could achieve. It is a bit difficult to
capture detail on small matte, coal black bits of plastic!


Offline domoaligato

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #166 on: Mon, 09 December 2013, 20:27:37 »
simply amazing!

Offline yasuo

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #167 on: Mon, 09 December 2013, 21:18:58 »
Really nice :p Baby Datahand coming soon :thumb:
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Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #168 on: Thu, 12 December 2013, 11:41:32 »
found my first circuit/PCB error - I
misunderstood the I2C level shifter ASIC
which was then bleeding voltage over into
my 3.3v supply. Some careful trace cutting
and rewiring will solve it, so no major slowdown, but glad to have it understood.

Also, I now have enough of the
mechanicals to assemble 7 fingers worth
of switches. Waiting on one more
shapeways order. They seem to be
running a bit behind though, so it may
be a few weeks longer.

Offline agodinhost

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #169 on: Thu, 12 December 2013, 12:40:43 »
found my first circuit/PCB error - I
misunderstood the I2C level shifter ASIC
which was then bleeding voltage over into
my 3.3v supply. Some careful trace cutting
and rewiring will solve it, so no major slowdown, but glad to have it understood.

Also, I now have enough of the
mechanicals to assemble 7 fingers worth
of switches. Waiting on one more
shapeways order. They seem to be
running a bit behind though, so it may
be a few weeks longer.
About the switches - I saw two 2 lateral small pins, these two pins seems to be kinda fragile ...
Would not be better to make then greater/stronger?
The few printed parts I have at here are really fragile and I'm wondering about these pins (without then you would loose the switch).
Building one square I2C keyboard with those 1200 switches (thanks JDCarpe)
GH60 |GH60-Alps |GH60-BT |GHPad/GHPad Alps |GH60-Case |Alps TKL |EL Wire |OS Controller, Round 2 |My Custom Keyboard |WTT/WTB

Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #170 on: Thu, 12 December 2013, 13:31:08 »
The SLS nylon is a very tough material, and at
these dimensions, fairly flexible too. This, along
with the relatively low cost, is the reason I am using it.

Since those pins don't support much load during
normal use I don't think it will be a problem. Their
main reason for being present is to prevent the key
from wandering out of position. I suppose that
you could break them if you tried hard to pull the
keys up and out of the carrier. I think that it'll be fine
as long as you don't do that.

Offline jeffgran

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #171 on: Thu, 12 December 2013, 23:52:06 »
This thread needs a new title. It's far from the "first baby step"! :)

Offline agodinhost

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #172 on: Fri, 13 December 2013, 06:33:37 »
The SLS nylon is a very tough material, and at
these dimensions, fairly flexible too. This, along
with the relatively low cost, is the reason I am using it.

Since those pins don't support much load during
normal use I don't think it will be a problem. Their
main reason for being present is to prevent the key
from wandering out of position. I suppose that
you could break them if you tried hard to pull the
keys up and out of the carrier. I think that it'll be fine
as long as you don't do that.
SLS? Okay, I now nothing about this kind of material - I thought it were PLA or ABS.

Do you think it's possible to print your parts at home using one homebrew 3d printer? I haven't saw any bridges at all but I'm just guessing it by the pictures ...
Building one square I2C keyboard with those 1200 switches (thanks JDCarpe)
GH60 |GH60-Alps |GH60-BT |GHPad/GHPad Alps |GH60-Case |Alps TKL |EL Wire |OS Controller, Round 2 |My Custom Keyboard |WTT/WTB

Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #173 on: Fri, 13 December 2013, 11:59:00 »
SLS? Okay, I now nothing about this kind of material - I thought it were PLA or ABS.

Do you think it's possible to print your parts at home using one homebrew 3d printer? I haven't saw any bridges at all but I'm just guessing it by the pictures ...
I've no first-hand experience with the
extrusion-based printers, but mkawa
was dubious about their ability to meet
the required tolerances and geometry
while working reliably at an acceptable
pace and with a suitably tough/flexible
material for the current design.

I've been designing with SLS nylon in
mind, not home extrusion printers.

Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the datahand - first babystep
« Reply #174 on: Fri, 13 December 2013, 20:44:52 »
This thread needs a new title. It's far from the "first baby step"! :)
You're so right. I've been thinking the same. Comin' right up!

Offline dorkvader

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #175 on: Sun, 15 December 2013, 19:57:14 »
SLS? Okay, I now nothing about this kind of material - I thought it were PLA or ABS.

As OldDataHands says, the material is Nylon. SLS (stands for "Selective Laser Sintering")is a process where more powdered material is rolled out over the current shape and fused to it with a laser. It's also used in metal powder processing sometimes.

Looking at the shapes, it seems to be getting impressive results!

Offline domoaligato

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #176 on: Sun, 15 December 2013, 21:48:10 »
This is my favorite project on geekhack.
I just wanted to stop in and let you know how cool this is turning out and to say thanks.
I would love if this eventually ended up like the ergodox on massdrop.

Offline agodinhost

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #177 on: Mon, 16 December 2013, 09:17:51 »
This is my favorite project on geekhack.
I just wanted to stop in and let you know how cool this is turning out and to say thanks.
I would love if this eventually ended up like the ergodox on massdrop.
+1 massdrop
 :)

+1 extrusion printed parts!

+1 kickstarter.com
« Last Edit: Fri, 20 December 2013, 06:25:12 by agodinhost »
Building one square I2C keyboard with those 1200 switches (thanks JDCarpe)
GH60 |GH60-Alps |GH60-BT |GHPad/GHPad Alps |GH60-Case |Alps TKL |EL Wire |OS Controller, Round 2 |My Custom Keyboard |WTT/WTB

Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #178 on: Mon, 16 December 2013, 22:17:23 »
This is my favorite project on geekhack.
I just wanted to stop in and let you know how cool this is turning out and to say thanks.
I would love if this eventually ended up like the ergodox on massdrop.

High Praise! Thanks!

Offline jalli

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #179 on: Mon, 16 December 2013, 22:53:10 »
Really awesome project and good work, I still remember when I saw my first DataHand back in '99 and seeing it come alive again is really cool.

If you need anyone to pitch in to share in prototype costs or if you need to get quantity up for orders let us know!
« Last Edit: Tue, 17 December 2013, 06:05:38 by jalli »
Antonia

Offline Pacifist

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #180 on: Mon, 16 December 2013, 22:57:55 »
You should update the OP with the current prototype!

Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #181 on: Mon, 16 December 2013, 23:06:43 »
So apparently I don't know how to make a layout for a solder-bridge.

Any guidelines that someone could point me to, or guidance would be
appreciated. Would a simple absence of soldermask be sufficient to
make the bridge easy to establish?  You're going to be in there soldering
the IR components anyhow, it would be easy to drag the iron across
each spot along the way, but it needs to be easy to establish, rather
than the struggle that I've currently got going.
48224-0
In my double-sided footprint for the finger switches I'm relying upon
a set of solder bridges to allow the cathode and anode of each IR LED,
and the collector/emitter of each phototransistor to be connected to
either hole - this allows mounting them from either side of the PCB.

I knew that the layout was going to be small - I made two 0.040x0.040
pads separated by 0.010" naively thinking that it would be hard to
avoid bridging two pads that close together. I am still a bit stunned
that it is a real bugger to get solder to bridge that gap. It turns out
that I also struggle with arithmetic, as I am startled at the number of
these bridges I've made.

Each switch requires that 4 bridges be made (Anode, Cathode,
Emitter, Collector).  There are 40 switches in the finger assembly.
I've 160 of these that need to be made!!!

So, I've ordered a bunch of 0603 bridges from Digikey.  I also invented
a new unit of currency: The millicent; as in: "In bulk, these bridges cost
78 millicents.". I'm going to press forward with the manual placement of
these 0603 components, but I'm not exactly excited about it. If I had
planned on this, I would have a footprint that was a closer match, with
0805 components, and would have had a stencil cut. Now that I have a
bunch of components already populated, manual is the only option.
Oh well. Onward.

In other news, the last of my 3D-printed parts from Shapeways shipped
today, so I should have them by Wednesday. I've got 7 finger-switch
assemblies completely assembled, and have made the metal clips to
complete the last one when the parts arrive.

The last batch of parts I received from Shapeways was a bit different than
the parts I had received from them previously. This batch was on the high
side of their tolerances or maybe a bit beyond, and had a much more solid,
hard surface. The previous batches had a friable surface layer that was not
well attached.

The fact that these parts were a bit larger necessitated more manual re-work.
I had to drill (with a pin-vise and tiny drill bit) open the holes for the IR
component leads. I had to trim off material in several places on all of the
levers for the center switches in order to get the lever to clear the carrier.
I had to trim some of the N/E/S/W keys. It is still an amazing bit of technology...
I just wish it was perfectly consistent!

Saving the best for last: I am able to read switch states! I've got the IR components
for the center switches on the index and middle fingers populated on the I/O
expander side of the board and am able to read switch states through the I2C
link. I'm geeked that it is alive.

It is getting there.  Pics once the parts are all mounted.

Offline dorkvader

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #182 on: Tue, 17 December 2013, 00:32:58 »
Yeah, I found the bridge for the capacitor the hardest thing to solder on my ergodox. After I did a few I got better, I think I just put a ton of solder on both pads and then when both were heated, could bridge the gap. It was much much easier with a thicker soldering tip.

Offline Turbinia

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #183 on: Tue, 17 December 2013, 09:08:27 »
Woah I thought that was all for resistors, have you considered maybe moving all of that away from the switch its self and having that selection happen closer to the micro-controller? Could you route it differently depending on if it is coming from the teensy or the i2c expander so you don't have to go through that? Has got me thinking on alternative ways of mirroring the layout, seems like far too much effort to bridge all of that just to save a bit on pcbs. That is an absolute massive number of vias as well...

Awesome progress! Hoping to get back started on the easypoint code today, so maybe some good news there soon as well.
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Offline bluehavana

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #184 on: Wed, 18 December 2013, 05:47:34 »
Definitely looking forward to seeing how this goes. Thanks so much for the awesome work. Can't wait to try to get started with the finger switch assemblies. Got some 2.4 Ghz wireless breakouts I've been dying to use on something like this (a split ergo).

Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #185 on: Thu, 19 December 2013, 18:33:18 »
Been thinking about the solderbridge topic:
I will adjust the footprint so that there is no
mask between the pads of the solderbridge
for my next attempt. I would like to have a
design which is as inexpensive as possible
to build a single unit, and an easy solderbridge
is the right answer. That being said, for the
purposes of a group buy two separate layouts
is the clear winner.

Offline Darhuuk

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #186 on: Thu, 19 December 2013, 18:40:29 »
About that solder bridge: try making one rectangular pad with a half circle cut out of it, then make the second pad a rectangular pad with a half circle "tacked on". That way, the pads will kind of "flow" into each other. Make the spacing between the two pads 12-20 mil. Someone in my hackerspace designed a PCBs with bridges like that and it is very easy to solder/desolder those bridges.

Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #187 on: Thu, 19 December 2013, 18:46:24 »
Interesting idea. What size were the pads?
was there soldermask between them?
The gap in my current design is just 10 mil
and the pads are 40x40 mil.

Offline Darhuuk

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #188 on: Thu, 19 December 2013, 19:08:04 »
I'm not a 100% sure about the size, I would guess around 3mm by 3mm, with a solder mask in between them.

Offline Blusey

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #189 on: Fri, 20 December 2013, 13:36:06 »
This looks like a really awesome project, good luck dude!

Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #190 on: Sun, 22 December 2013, 20:24:27 »
If someone is interested to contribute I need to have some
solder-bridge science done. It would be most convenient for
the existing layout to have a solderbridge which is easy to
bridge with a quick dab of a smallish soldering iron tip,
 and can fit into a 40x90 mil box (not counting keepout
area around it). It needs to be able to be produced by
the usual sorces (OSHPark, PCBWing, seeedstudio, etc.).
Ability to un-bridge seems unimportant to me, as it is only
meant to be set one time, then left permanently.

I could still imagine fitting everything with a 60x130 bridge,
but routing might be more painful, and would have to be
redone.

If someone would step up and create a variety of geometries
and configurations, with/without soldermask to create a test
board, then figure out if any of the options are viable, I'd be
much obliged.

In other news, I've now received the 0603 jumpers I ordered
from Digikey and have them installed. Wasn't as tedious as
I had expected. I think the only trouble came from the
degraded state of my stale, old solder paste. On to mounting
the IR components and switches!

Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #191 on: Sun, 22 December 2013, 22:46:24 »
Just a quick pic of the 0-ohm jumpers installed:
48763-0

Offline agodinhost

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #192 on: Tue, 24 December 2013, 07:38:58 »
it's kinda hard to figure out where the jumper is ...
could you draw a arrow?
Building one square I2C keyboard with those 1200 switches (thanks JDCarpe)
GH60 |GH60-Alps |GH60-BT |GHPad/GHPad Alps |GH60-Case |Alps TKL |EL Wire |OS Controller, Round 2 |My Custom Keyboard |WTT/WTB

Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #193 on: Tue, 24 December 2013, 07:51:35 »
it's kinda hard to figure out where the jumper is ...
could you draw a arrow?
There are over 30 of them in that pic.
each of the 0603 SMD components is a
0-Ohm bridge or jumper. If you zoom
in you can even read 000 on them!

Offline regack

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #194 on: Tue, 24 December 2013, 08:01:08 »
it's kinda hard to figure out where the jumper is ...
could you draw a arrow?
There are over 30 of them in that pic.
each of the 0603 SMD components is a
0-Ohm bridge or jumper. If you zoom
in you can even read 000 on them!

hah, those are cool.  I'll work on a bridge-test thing.  I won't be the fastest though.

Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #195 on: Tue, 24 December 2013, 15:41:03 »
Awesome! Thanks regack!

Offline csirac2

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  • Location: Canberra, Australia
Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #196 on: Sun, 29 December 2013, 18:14:40 »
What a fantastic project! I've been thinking about doing this for the last few months, and now that I've changed $jobs I'll have a bit of spare time to actually do something like this. My education was Microelectronic Engineering, ended up in oil & gas industry, then since around 2009 I've mostly been a software guy doing bioinformatics and a bit of signal processing/data analytics and web stuff.

I've recently joined a local hackerspace where I have access to CNC and 3D-printing stuff. Perhaps not adequate for this project but I had intended to start my experiments there. So I'm delighted to find that somebody has already done so much of the hard work!

I'll PM you shortly, would love to collaborate on this. I usually use EAGLE (have my own Pro license) but I'd be just as happy building whatever you've done and hacking away at code or helping figure out a case. The most 3D modelling I've done in past $work has been in something called VariCAD but would be happy to try an open source tool.

I own a DataHand II Personal that's been somewhat battered over the years - I've had to augment the magnets in places, it seems some of them aren't as strong as they should be.

Great work!

Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #197 on: Fri, 03 January 2014, 23:12:34 »
I've all 8 finger assemblies ready now, and have mounted the
opto components for 6 center switches. I'll work with just the
center switches for a bit, as I want to be able to easily remove
the mechanicals should that be necessary, and it gets difficult
once the opto components are soldered in for the N/E/S/W
switches. Here is a pic of the partly-assembled unit hooked up
to my new Saleae 8-channel digital logic analyzer:
49868-0
Here is a screenshot of the analyzer software showing the decode
of the I2C traffic as well as scanning Row2, with Col3 pressed and
Col2 unpressed:
49870-1
Right now the I2C bus is being run at 100kHz, but it looks like it
should tolerate 400kHz without any trouble.

Offline damorgue

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #198 on: Fri, 03 January 2014, 23:29:16 »
Looks great. Are there any jams in the physical parts when you use it?

Offline OldDataHands

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Re: Re-Create the DataHand - work on finger switches nearly complete
« Reply #199 on: Fri, 03 January 2014, 23:48:59 »
Looks great. Are there any jams in the physical parts when you use it?
Some of the keys needed trimming during assembly
to prevent jamming - seems to depend upon how
exactly Shapeways prints them. Once they are fit,
there seems to be no problem. I just did 100 cycles
on 6 south keys, and 100 cycles on 6 center keys
and there was no jamming.
The center keys require a bit more care in assembly
than the N/E/S/W keys in order to ensure good
operation.  I'll only really be able to answer that
question meaningfully after I've really spend time
using it, rather than just a crude, quick test.