[IC] Prime_Elise

[mujimanic]

GROUP BUY HERE https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=104493.0

IC PAGE IS LOCKED AND CLOSED






Prime_Elise Aluminum Case

Group Buy planned for February 2020

IC FORM HERE https://forms.gle/iNTBR24MDC5qbmWZA

Link to my Discord server https://discord.gg/77d4hDq



Hello again, mujimanic here. Yes, I'm that ButterKnife guy (https://www.gboards.ca/product/butterknife)

The Elise enclosure for Holtenc's Prime_E PCB is my next project. It's a 2-part aluminum shell with separate switchplate layer which restores Alice case curves to the Prime_E. There are some things you should know, so let's get talking.

How did I end up at this point?
   Like many others in the community, after snagging a PCB, I felt that the chiseled Alice nose had to come to Prime_E. After a reddit post (https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/e19r0m/prime_elise/), Holtenc mentioned he was open to working with designers to make third party cases for Prime_E! I came up with a revised prototype as proof of principle of some of my case designs: (https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/eaqr46/elise_a_case_for_prime_e/) and things took off from there. Up to now, I've been coordinating with Holtenc to sell my aluminum case along with his PCBs as a bundled kit.


Three design goals I wanted to achieve with this project:
- Create a "fitted lid" that slides over and around part of the base, like a shoebox.
- Bring a bottom-mounted switchplate design, as there hasn't been many.
- Make this PCB and case more accessible to the community.




Design Features
- T6 solid block aluminum CNC-machined enclosure
- Switchplate is BOTTOM MOUNTED. Instead of anchoring the switchplate to the top shell like a standard CNC'ed Alice case, it's perched atop pedestals on the bottom shell. This is *not* a tray mount. Interestingly this allows for an air gap between the switchplate and top shell that seems to transmit more sound from the resonant chamber out the top.
- Case follows the contours of the Prime_E key layout, which it itself fashioned after the Alice layout.
- Fits both Rev 1 (blocky) and Rev 2 (angled) Prime_E PCBs.
- Bead-blasted and anodized in 3 colors: RAL 7021 (Black Grey), Clear coat (Natural Aluminum), and Rose Gold (specific color still to be confirmed)
- The four case corners are "squircles" (variable tangent corners) rather than the conventional filet edge shape (fixed tangent). It's a subtle addition, but I think it gives the case a nicer "soft" profile.
- Milled depressions to accommodate rubber feet (will be provided with the kit) to keep the case close to the table surface.
- Accomodates up to 2mm switchplates.
- I will provide the switchplate DXF at completion of group buy.
- "elise" logo and my studio emblem milled into the bottom surface
- I would consider offering up to 75-100 of these cases depending on interest.
- UPDATE: Unlimited units will be offered for sale.

Render Gallery





Proto is forthcoming.

Timeline
- [01/12/2020] Geekhack IC page created. Awaiting final protos and color selection. Awaiting manufacturer pricing. Chinese New Year will delay productions until March, so won't even plan to start manufacturing until then!
- [Mid February] Planned Opening of the Prime_Elise Group Buy


Credit:
- Keycaps from Haxoroo's Thingiverse models. (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2398873) I had to fashion my own 2.25u keycaps so yes they're janky.

[Abec13]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Macmutant]

Looks great. Not sure I need another Ptime_E, but may pick one up anyway. Will this GB run through PrimeKB.

[Crack85]

Clean!!!!

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[mujimanic]

Looks great. Not sure I need another Ptime_E, but may pick one up anyway. Will this GB run through PrimeKB.

So the arrangement will be that I will purchase the PCBs from holtenc, and I will then sell them as kit including whatever extra you folks want to add on (extra PCBs, etc). Holtenc feels that if people want extra PCBs then they can buy extra PCBs. I agree with him.

[holtenc]

looks good man

[octix]

Wooooo!

[Agilr]

This is it

[kennardsmith]

i’m in

[joshuarubin]

Very interested

[Andrago]

I'm in too!!

[MikeTheTiger]

Woah!!

[tex_live_utility]

Any chance of a non-metal plate, considering how rigid bottom mount is? E.g. polycarbonate, POM, carbon fiber, et al.

[r4wromg]

Been waiting for this one, my Prime_E PCB desperately needs a home

[modeseven]

Oh boy, this looks nice.

[prettydouchebag]

This is NAIS

[Myteethfeelweird]

can you put a plate foam/case foam option?

[mujimanic]

can you put a plate foam/case foam option?

I'll look into it. It may be better and simpler as an aftermarket option. Some people are very selective about their foams.

[mujimanic]

Any chance of a non-metal plate, considering how rigid bottom mount is? E.g. polycarbonate, POM, carbon fiber, et al.

At this point I'm not planning to offer alternative plates, but I will definitely provide the DXF for custom plate cutting. Anything 2mm thick or less should be good with this case.

[Myteethfeelweird]

can you put a plate foam/case foam option?

I'll look into it. It may be better and simpler as an aftermarket option. Some people are very selective about their foams.

Ah I see. Do you think you could provide a pattern file so we can get these cut on our own?

[mujimanic]

can you put a plate foam/case foam option?

I'll look into it. It may be better and simpler as an aftermarket option. Some people are very selective about their foams.

Ah I see. Do you think you could provide a pattern file so we can get these cut on our own?

Yeah I can do that. I don't know a whole lot about it, but aren't some foams toxic when laser cut??

[tex_live_utility]

Any chance of a non-metal plate, considering how rigid bottom mount is? E.g. polycarbonate, POM, carbon fiber, et al.

At this point I'm not planning to offer alternative plates, but I will definitely provide the DXF for custom plate cutting. Anything 2mm thick or less should be good with this case.

Thanks. The stock plate is aluminum, right?

Interestingly the extra clearance inside the case should make it easy to "gasket mount" this, by sticking rubber strips between the bottom of the plate and the mounting surface inside the case.

[equalunique]

This past week I was just thinking how the Prime_E seems to be the best Alice-style keeb IMO because it's thumb keys are more or less symmetrical. Frankly am amazed to see this IC open up here. Am def in.

Sent from my Ono-Sendai Cyberspace 7 using Tapatalk

[iWalkingCorpse]

OH herrow nurse, I think I might need to pick up a couple prime_e pcbs when available in anticipation...

[kaisn]

Ohhh yeaaaaah I want it

[Fabi]

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!

[vegs]

FYI there's already a Alice clone called Elise. It's currently in IC stage.

[Macmutant]

Looks great. Not sure I need another Ptime_E, but may pick one up anyway. Will this GB run through PrimeKB.

So the arrangement will be that I will purchase the PCBs from holtenc, and I will then sell them as kit including whatever extra you folks want to add on (extra PCBs, etc). Holtenc feels that if people want extra PCBs then they can buy extra PCBs. I agree with him.

Sounds great. Thank you for responding.

[Myteethfeelweird]

Love this!!! And I want there to be foam included, but I understand if this is an additional purchase. Just appreciate the option:)

[modeseven]

- I would consider offering up to 75-100 of these cases depending on interest.

Will the group buy operate as FCFS, raffle, or both?

[BlueViola]

I was assuming the PCB would be hotswap, since the original Prime_E PCB was hotswap, but I read that the new PCB would not be hotswap.  Is this correct?

[0ff1c1al]

Has a date been picked yet, or is that still up in the air?

[mujimanic]

GB Feb 15. I will get the GB page up Feb 1

[KingOfMemes]

GB Feb 15. I will get the GB page up Feb 1

Bless up, any ballpark on the price

[mujimanic]

Yes. Case + T5 aluminum plate + pcb will be $250. Add $10 for brass plate instead of aluminum

[mujimanic]

Case option without plate ($ 230)

[KingOfMemes]

Case option without plate ($ 230)

Does that include PCB?

[mujimanic]

Yeah. $230 would be for case plus pcb without plate

[KingOfMemes]

Yeah. $230 would be for case plus pcb without plate

Sweet, count me in daddy

[mujimanic]

I was assuming the PCB would be hotswap, since the original Prime_E PCB was hotswap, but I read that the new PCB would not be hotswap.  Is this correct?

Correct. The Rev2 pcb is NOT hotswap. You're going to have to solder your switches to the board or use MilMax or holtite sockets

[mujimanic]

- I would consider offering up to 75-100 of these cases depending on interest.

Will the group buy operate as FCFS, raffle, or both?

Due to overwhelming demand, purchase opportunity will be unlimited to the group buy end date!

[KingOfMemes]

- I would consider offering up to 75-100 of these cases depending on interest.

Will the group buy operate as FCFS, raffle, or both?

Due to overwhelming demand, purchase opportunity will be unlimited to the group buy end date!

Unlimited, $230, Alice layout, 40%. The future is now

[equalunique]

If the PCB isn't hotswap, can the plate at least have cutouts to support switch top opening?

Sent from my Ono-Sendai Cyberspace 7 using Tapatalk

[modeseven]

- I would consider offering up to 75-100 of these cases depending on interest.

Will the group buy operate as FCFS, raffle, or both?

Due to overwhelming demand, purchase opportunity will be unlimited to the group buy end date!

 

[KingOfMemes]

Will we be able to mix and match color options between top and bottom pieces?

[mujimanic]

Will we be able to mix and match color options between top and bottom pieces?

In the next week before I start the GB page I'm working to secure this as an option but currently it is a "no". I really want this too!

[briano1905]

Looks great! Whats the typing angle on this?

[KingOfMemes]

Probs going black, but colorway might be a game time decision

[Dafraz117]

Interested


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[mujimanic]

Looks great! Whats the typing angle on this?

6 degrees