Making my own keyboard 'Bearhand BLE'

[dahun.kim@]

HI, I'm Dahun Kim from South Korea.

I'm in the middle of developing my own mechanical keyboard named 'Bearhand'.
I just want to know how appeal it is because I'm alone and sometimes it is hard to keep going.
If I find out that someone is interested in this keyboard, I think I will be more empowered.



Features

 * Bluetooth Low Energy
 * Splited
 * Tilted forward 7 degrees
 * Tilted 7 degrees outwards
 * Lithium polymer battery (3000mah each)
 * Thick plate (about 3.5mm)
 * Powered by BlueMicro (nrf52840)

I'm majored in Computer Science and I'm not expert about 3D modeling and PCB design. In fact, I am an amateur for most of the work required.
I would appreciate it if you could share your opinion through comments.

I'll leave a link to my blog if you want to get more info. But it's written in Korean only.
https://blog.naver.com/lkozz44/222673845859

Oh, and I can't write a lot of information comfortably because I'm not good at English. I hope you understand.
Thank you for reading.

[dahun.kim@]

This is my goal.

And I have several problems to solve. For example, simple disassembly and assembly method design, or PCB design, or firmware stability, and manufacturing method and affordable price.
The keyboard is in a working state now, but it was made using an Amoeba PCB, and it was very difficult to make.

I'd like to try to get this keyboard to sell if possible.

[dahun.kim@]

I have one question, do you think it doesn't make sense to do an interest check at this level?

[Sup]

Seems good to me. I suppose the plate is integrated 3D printed plate. If you want to bring this to more people you should also look into multiple lay-outs and maybe if possible go with PCB mount stabilizers. Otherwise from the design I don't think there is much wrong with it.

[suicidal_orange]

Wireless is fashionable at the moment and split is healthy so this board would make a lot of people happy, the only bad thing is that thick milled brass(?) plate is going to be expensive.

If you only have the model for the 3D printing and want to sell a milled version it is very hard to do a proper IC - the most common reply will be "I'm in if it's cheap enough" so you need to get a price first

[dahun.kim@]

Seems good to me. I suppose the plate is integrated 3D printed plate. If you want to bring this to more people you should also look into multiple lay-outs and maybe if possible go with PCB mount stabilizers. Otherwise from the design I don't think there is much wrong with it.

Come to think of it, I think you're right. It would be nice if the supported layouts could be varied to suit more people's preferences!

[dahun.kim@]

Wireless is fashionable at the moment and split is healthy so this board would make a lot of people happy, the only bad thing is that thick milled brass(?) plate is going to be expensive.

If you only have the model for the 3D printing and want to sell a milled version it is very hard to do a proper IC - the most common reply will be "I'm in if it's cheap enough" so you need to get a price first

Oh That's True... I have never asked for a quote for CNC cutting machining yet. I'll have to think about it to alleviate the cost burden. thanks

[granola bar enthusiast]

this is a really cool design, i would totally join a GB for this. I'm not sure if this will matter since it looks to be an integrated plate design but will there be options for multiple plate materials?

[dahun.kim@]

this is a really cool design, i would totally join a GB for this. I'm not sure if this will matter since it looks to be an integrated plate design but will there be options for multiple plate materials?

Yes ofcourse. I plan to try to support different layouts and plate materials after PCB artwork.
One thing to say, the keyboard in the photo attached at the beginning of the thread was made with 3D printing.
I don't know how long it will take to start GB of this keyboard, but thanks for the positive comments.

[Kevin-3992]

If the shape is softer, I think it can succeed

[VoteForDavid]

This is a brilliant idea. If I were a person who buys keyboards instead of making them for myself, this is the kind I would like to purchase.  The angle is good and the freedom to move the sections is good. I hope that you will be able to make this successfully! 

[dahun.kim@]

If the shape is softer, I think it can succeed

Thanks for sharing your opinion.
Does 'softer shape' mean a more rounded shape? Or is it an abstract meaning?
Actually, the current angular shape is what I wanted and intended. However, I didn't think about other demands when making it

[dahun.kim@]

This is a brilliant idea. If I were a person who buys keyboards instead of making them for myself, this is the kind I would like to purchase.  The angle is good and the freedom to move the sections is good. I hope that you will be able to make this successfully! 

So you are another keyboard developer! Wow, I'm so glad to see your comment. Thanks for the good rating!

[Leslieann]

Oh That's True... I have never asked for a quote for CNC cutting machining yet. I'll have to think about it to alleviate the cost burden. thanks

The brass plate can be water jetted or laser cut which is FAR cheaper than milling.
A machined aluminum case, that will destroy your wireless and destroy the affordability.

Unfortunately the tilt makes this require a lot of (expensive) milling, this is why budget tilted cases are done with legs or feet and often use laser cut plates for each layer.

[dahun.kim@]

Oh That's True... I have never asked for a quote for CNC cutting machining yet. I'll have to think about it to alleviate the cost burden. thanks

The brass plate can be water jetted or laser cut which is FAR cheaper than milling.
A machined aluminum case, that will destroy your wireless and destroy the affordability.

Unfortunately the tilt makes this require a lot of (expensive) milling, this is why budget tilted cases are done with legs or feet and often use laser cut plates for each layer.

Yes, I've been making this myself, and I've recently realized that there are better ways than CNC cutting.
If I had known and made it from the beginning, I think there would have been a better result.
However, attaching the legs to the case certainly has many advantages, but I don't really like it from the looks of it.
When designing the next version from scratch, I'll try to design it by fully reflecting the points I learned this time.

Thanks for the nice info.

[Leslieann]

Yes, I've been making this myself, and I've recently realized that there are better ways than CNC cutting.
If I had known and made it from the beginning, I think there would have been a better result.
However, attaching the legs to the case certainly has many advantages, but I don't really like it from the looks of it.
When designing the next version from scratch, I'll try to design it by fully reflecting the points I learned this time.

Thanks for the nice info.

You're welcome.
I wasn't trying to be a downer or push you one way or other, just trying to let you know the realities of it.
If you could mill that in plastic or metal for cheap I'm sure you'd get quite a bit of interest in it.

There is an option though, didn't even think of it earlier... Resin Casting
Because it's split and small enough to fit in a small bucket you don't need a big expensive vacuum chamber. Look up vacuum pots or DIY Harbor freight vacuum chamber. 3D print your pattern, maybe smooth it out with some paint and bondo, cast a mold in silicone, then cast the bodies from that. Then you can water jet/laser cut the plate and bottom plate. You would need a couple hundred dollars in supplies and equipment and you'd need to spend some time perfecting your technique and sizing, but from there you could cast them relatively cheap. Not 3d printed cheap but a heck of a lot cheaper than milling.