Author Topic: [IC] Orbit 65% - Curved,Silicon Top Mount,17mm Front Height. GB OPEN NOW  (Read 67183 times)

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Offline Ra66it_AU

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  • Posts: 54
  • Location: Sydney, Australia
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Hey everyone, just made some updates on my Proto V2, will upload the new typing test soon.
Less is more?

Offline Ra66it_AU

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  • Posts: 54
  • Location: Sydney, Australia
    • Najakeys
Hey all, I just uploaded the V2 typing sound. Happy Valentine's Day!
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Offline PlayBox

  • Posts: 199
i think its in my budget now but knowing shipping and taxes these are gonna kill me so ill stick to frog tkl
propably sent from my amazon kindle 10th gen

Offline audax989

  • Posts: 961
  • Location: Guam
  • NOM NOM NOM
    • Guam Mechanical Keyboards
any idea on the pricepoint?

Offline PlayBox

  • Posts: 199
any idea on the pricepoint?
its there 350$ for alu version 400$ for brass version
propably sent from my amazon kindle 10th gen

Offline Ra66it_AU

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  • Location: Sydney, Australia
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Hi all,

After hearing some feedback, I have changed the placement of the logo at the back.
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Offline suishibe

  • Posts: 13
beautiful

Offline Ra66it_AU

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  • Location: Sydney, Australia
    • Najakeys
Thanks! :)
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Offline ReplicaJG

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  • Location: Sydney
my fav board yet  :thumb:

Offline Ra66it_AU

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  • Location: Sydney, Australia
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tyty Jas!
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Offline Surefoot

  • Posts: 454
Re: [IC] Orbit 65% - Curved, Silicon Pin Top Mount, 17mm Front Height
« Reply #60 on: Sat, 25 March 2023, 14:29:17 »
I had the same doubt when I designed this. After testing I don't think brass bottom is the main reason for pinging noise. From my experience, the pinging noise is mainly from uneven fitting between metal cases, I tried this mod from 3ildcat's video for my Kei and most of the pinging disappeared.
Link: https://youtube.com/shorts/VSMdbEgdvQ4?feature=share
I wonder when custom keyboard designers will include that trick in their case designs - when I first thought of adding gaskets to a case that was the idea, not for the plate but for the case. It will indeed produce a much more solid sound.

Offline Stanced

  • Posts: 15
  • Location: Utah
any time line on groupbuy?

Offline WoobEC

  • Posts: 47
  • Location: Spain
    • Eloquent Clicks
This is great






Offline diyachronic

  • Posts: 16
Project looks great! How much does each version of the keyboard weigh?

Offline OhNyne

  • Posts: 7
Would a hotswap pcb be offered?

Offline involuntarysoul

  • Posts: 185
please have raw alu version, would really make this board stand out


Offline Ra66it_AU

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  • Location: Sydney, Australia
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Re: [IC] Orbit 65% - Curved, Silicon Pin Top Mount, 17mm Front Height
« Reply #66 on: Mon, 03 April 2023, 19:09:05 »
I had the same doubt when I designed this. After testing I don't think brass bottom is the main reason for pinging noise. From my experience, the pinging noise is mainly from uneven fitting between metal cases, I tried this mod from 3ildcat's video for my Kei and most of the pinging disappeared.
Link: https://youtube.com/shorts/VSMdbEgdvQ4?feature=share
I wonder when custom keyboard designers will include that trick in their case designs - when I first thought of adding gaskets to a case that was the idea, not for the plate but for the case. It will indeed produce a much more solid sound.

With the addition of several extra screws in V2, the break-force mod has become unnecessary. However, it is evident that this mod could greatly enhance the sound of cases that lack sufficient screws connecting the top and bottom cases.
Less is more?

Offline Stanced

  • Posts: 15
  • Location: Utah
Do you have a timeline when the GB might be?


Offline OhNyne

  • Posts: 7
Maybe on the back of the case where it says " Machina" it could be kinda like the vegas weight  or think6.5 v3 where its color varies from the case itself. Just a thought though.

Offline Ra66it_AU

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  • Location: Sydney, Australia
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Hello hello, I updated some rendering here: https://imgur.com/a/FFaE7GB
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Offline diyachronic

  • Posts: 16
That copper bottom is stunning. Do you have an idea of how much the copper bottom would affect price compared to the brass bottom?

Offline Ra66it_AU

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Still under discussion, but will announce GB details soon. :thumb:
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Offline involuntarysoul

  • Posts: 185
for the alu bottom, 4 separate weight seems to be alot of extra machining for not much gain, would it be more cost effective to have a single large weight?

Offline hzh0525

  • Posts: 82
  • Location: New York, USA
I will definitely buy a copper/brass bottom one!

Offline Ra66it_AU

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  • Location: Sydney, Australia
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for the alu bottom, 4 separate weight seems to be alot of extra machining for not much gain, would it be more cost effective to have a single large weight?

Based on my experience, using four individual weights was more effective in eliminating internal noise compared to using a single weight. Additionally, arranging the four weights in a way that forms a star shape at the center aligns with the orbital theme being considered. Overall, I believe it is worth the extra cost.
Less is more?

Offline Wise Donkey

  • Posts: 22
It's ashame the concentric circles are on the inside instead of on the outside. It's a beautiful form.

Offline aicyborg

  • Posts: 308
  • Location: UK
Kinda blows you couldn't get a UK/EU vendor for this, but I guess it's whatever.

Offline rMxGTR

  • Posts: 8
  • Location: PST
Is there a way to get raw top with copper bottom?

Offline Akele

  • Posts: 108
Is there a way to get raw top with copper bottom?

Ra66it_AU is running a poll on Discord asking if people have an interest a raw alu top + copper/brass bottom config. May be worth voting in that if you haven't done so. It's certainly the config I'd like to buy.

Offline Ra66it_AU

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 54
  • Location: Sydney, Australia
    • Najakeys


    Orbit
    Designed by Machina
    UPDATE 30-04-23
    Prices, color options, vendors, and more! Going in to GB soon



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    Hello there, I am Ra66it from Australia. Introducing my first keyboard project Orbit by Machina, a 65% silicon pin mounting style keyboard.

    I have been wanting a 65% keyboard ever since I tried the tadpole mounting on Frog TKL. Started last year as a personal project, I received my first prototype this October.


    The main idea of the design is to keep the keyboard as slim as possible. Internally, trying to make a clean-sounding keyboard with the least amount of foam.

    The external curves and internal weight pattern give me an astronomy vibe, I hope this keyboard is also in your orbit :)
    The look of this keyboard is influenced by the HHKB series (HG variant and Pro2).



    IC FORM: https://forms.gle/pCphkNEkyidLt7gPA

    DISCORD LINK: https://discord.gg/KZ7axT7zKg

    INSTAGRAM LINK: https://www.instagram.com/machina.syd/





    0. CONTENTS

    1.DETAILS
    2.VENDOR
    3.PRICE & SALES DETAILS
    4MEDIA
    5.COLOR RENDER
    6.LAYOUT
    7.PHOTO
    8.DESIGN CHANGELOG
    9.PROJECT STATUS
    10.TYPING TEST





    1.DETAILS

    - Typing angle 7.0°
    - Front height: 17mm
    - Mounting style: Silicon pin/ Tadpole ( 3 hardness options)
    - Screwless exterior design (detachable silicon feet hiding all the screws at the bottom)
    - PCB: Inhouse design with USB-C daughterboard - configurable with QMK/VIA, hotswap, and solder option available.
    - Will come with a matching carrying case
    - Weight:  1.5kg/3.3 lbs built for Aluminium Version
                   2.5kg/5.5 lbs built for Brass/Copper Version
    - Materials:
         - Aluminium Top Case
         - Two bottom case designs:
         - Full PVD Aluminium Bottom Case with 4 internal brass weights
         - Full Brass Bottom Case with clear coat finish
         - Anodized/ E-coated Aluminium Bottom Case (NEW ADDED as IC form suggests)
         - Color Renders: https://imgur.com/a/FFaE7GB

       




    2.VENDOR

    AU: www.najakeys.com
    South Korea: Geonworks https://geon.works/
    Rest of the world: www.machina.mx






    3.PRICE & SALES DETAILS

    Sale Format: GB (May 2023)
    Color Renders: https://imgur.com/a/FFaE7GB
    Price
    • Anodized Top Case + Anodized Bottom Case                                $349
    • Anodized Top Case + Aluminium PVD Bottom Case                       $389
    • Anodized Top Case + Full Brass Bottom Case (clear E-coated)       $399
    • Anodized Top Case + Full Copper Bottom Case (clear E-coated)     $439
    • All Raw Aluminium Top & Bottom Cases (clear E-coated)               $369
    • Hotswap                                                                                   +$10
    • E-coat                                                                                      +$20
    * Prices in USD
    ** By default, comes with a full aluminium plate, 70A hardness silicon pins, 1.6mm PCB, and no flex cut on either PCB or plate.

    IC form here: https://forms.gle/pCphkNEkyidLt7gPA
    Added options for raw finish and copper in IC form





    4.MEDIA
    Lightning Keyboards Build VOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbM91RubDVk
    Alexotos
    DBOkeys
    Avi
    LightningKeyboards
    Keybored
    NearLucid
    Geon
    Makerchun
    * will update here once videoes are available

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    5.COLOR RENDER
    More Color Renders: https://imgur.com/a/FFaE7GB
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    6.LAYOUT

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    7.PHOTO
    V1 Prototype photos
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    V2 PHOTO
    UPDATE 06-02-23
    V2 Prototype photos
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    8.DESIGN CHANGELOG
    V1 Prototype
    - 1.2mm PCB with flex cut
    - 4 screws between the top and bottom case
    - 4 separate rubber feet

    V2 Prototype
    - 1.6mm PCB with no flex cut
    - 8 screws between the top and bottom case
    - Changed to 2 long rubber feet instead of 4
    - Testing Brass Patina
    - Quality of life changes to the PCB
    - Silicon pin positions redesigned

    V2.5 Prototype
    - Can confirm 1.6mm PCB without flex cut is better.
    - Keeping 8 screws between the top and bottom case.
    - Keeping the bezels as slim as V1.
    - Redo long rubber feet molding. (failed last time)
    - Testing Brass Patina (ongoing process)
    - Quality of life changes to the PCB (ongoing process)

    V2 Prototype Exploded View
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    9.PROJECT STATUS [GOING INTO GB SOON]


    V1 Log
    More
    After typing with V1 proto for a month, overall I am happy with the look and typing feel, the typing experience is firm but not stiff, and the 50A silicon pins allow some bounciness in the board. Personally, I always build my keyboards with plate foam, it reduces those tiny noises and still keeps the characteristics of the board. The sound is quite clean without case foam, more on the clacky side. I bearly noticed any hollowness, but it is a bit loud for my liking.

    For the V2 proto, the goal is to keep the sound profile more isolated. I added more screws between the two cases and lengthen the rubber feet, hopefully, it can reduce resonance between the metal pieces, and the thickness of the top case has been increased by 1mm to make the sound more isolated.

    Red arrows indicate the newly added screw holes, the placement won't affect how the space bar sound.

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    One thing I am currently testing is the patina on the brass bottom, I have included the photo in the IC form, please feel free to check it out and leave some feedback. If you are a patina artist who enjoys my design, please please reach out to me.


    V2 Log
    More
    V2! Lots of good news, all the changes made seem promising.
    In this round, all materials have raw finishes and I really enjoy the colours, considering adding that as a GB option.
    You may notice that the V2 bezels are slightly thicker than V1, but I prefer V1 bezels more after putting them side by side, will change that back next round.
    see the comparison here:
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    Overall the design is final now, the next round (Proto V2.5) will be the final round, mainly for review units.
    I will lock in all the case colours, materials, and finishes after the next round. Please fill in the IC form if you want to share your opinion.

     



    V2.5 Log

    UPDATE 30-04-23
    After hearing some feedback, I have changed the placement of the logo at the bottom.
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    Currently all the review units have been sent out, and more content will be released next month, meanwhile, collecting community feedback before we go GB in May. 







    10.TYPING TEST

    ProtoV1 Plate foam only


    I overlubed my left shift lol

    ProtoV2 Sound Test [NO FOAM]

    Lightning Keyboards Build VOD:





    Thank you all for reading till the end!



    Vincent - Special thanks for the amazing photos!
    https://www.youtube.com/@vincentchen1985

    Eureka Foundry - Much much love for the stunning work from you guys! amazed by the quality of the prototypes.
    The feedback on my design really helped me in the early stage.
    https://www.eurekafoundry.com/

    ANZKEEB - Shoutout to my keeb mates, I won't be able to make this without your guys!
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    [/list]
    Less is more?

    Offline Ra66it_AU

    • Thread Starter
    • Posts: 54
    • Location: Sydney, Australia
      • Najakeys
    Is there a way to get raw top with copper bottom?
    Yes!
    Less is more?

    Offline Ra66it_AU

    • Thread Starter
    • Posts: 54
    • Location: Sydney, Australia
      • Najakeys
    The date for the GB is set on 28th May.
    Let's goooooo!
    Less is more?

    Offline fzlo

    • Posts: 14
    Is there a way to get raw top with copper bottom?
    Yes!

    nice! best combo! also red and copper will be a banger

    Offline aicyborg

    • Posts: 308
    • Location: UK
    The date for the GB is set on 28th May.
    Let's goooooo!

    Any chance of more regional vendors? One for the UK would be really appreciated. I've been trying to get people here locally to fill out your IC form doing that, seems to have been ignored...

    Offline The Real Omar

    • Posts: 1
    Please offer that Anodize brown as a top color!

    Offline yiuoterw

    • Posts: 10
    • Location: Eugene, OR
    • i love wasting money
    Woah, the machining on the internal of the weight looks awesome! Reminds me of something making ripples in water.
    new owlabs board when?

    Offline vtachkov

    • Posts: 205
    Probably too late at this point but any chance of offering brass/copper plates?

    Offline malignant narcissism

    • Posts: 17
    • Location: Denver
    • sus
    Ordered charcoal with a copper bottom. I'm pretty hype on this board so hope it doesn't let me down!
    oh hi mark

    Offline Ra66it_AU

    • Thread Starter
    • Posts: 54
    • Location: Sydney, Australia
      • Najakeys
    GB opens!
    Less is more?

    Offline garrdub

    • Posts: 4
    I really really like this. Might go for the raw copper with the silver top. Great price for full copper and brass booty as well.

    Seems like the GB is going well so far, are you close to reaching the soft limit yet?

    Offline Ra66it_AU

    • Thread Starter
    • Posts: 54
    • Location: Sydney, Australia
      • Najakeys
    2 weeks to go!
    Less is more?

    Offline synthetics

    • Posts: 34
    • Location: nyc
    • very cool
    Just learned about this board a few days ago, I'm late to the GH thread. Cool design, I like a lot of the little details here, glwgb!

    Offline Ra66it_AU

    • Thread Starter
    • Posts: 54
    • Location: Sydney, Australia
      • Najakeys
    Updated some video links  ;)
    Less is more?

    Offline Groom

    • Posts: 27
    I love the curve in side view! and the feeling like hhkb og.

    Offline sketch3v

    • Posts: 28
    • Sketch
      • Astro
    would be cool to see the same design style on the visible part of the keyboard. I also love these cute gasket feet  ;D