geekhack Marketplace > Interest Checks
[IC] Constance - F13 TKL (New Update 13/08/2024)
aiglatsonstudio:
CONSTANCE TKL
Split-plate, top mounted, F13 TKL
1. Introduction
Hey everyone! I am PJ from Aiglatson Studio, Thailand. Meet Constance TKL, our first seamless, split plate, top-mounted, F13 TKL. Our goal for Constance was simple: to design a keyboard that we'd enjoy as a daily driver. It needs to look good, type well, and sounds great. There isn't a specific inspiration or theme behind Constance; its aesthetic is purely based on our personal preferences. We aimed for a clean, minimal design with subtle flair to catch your eye without being overly flashy. If you appreciate a straightforward top mount keyboard with clean, detailed designs, we hope Constance catches your interest!
IC FORM
2. Design Features
Top View
We kept the top face clean with 10.5 mm top bezels and 6.5 mm side bezels. However, by adding a 9-degree angle chamfer around the top edge (to create the HG sides), each bezel appears 1.8 mm thinner from the top. All corners and edges are filleted to give the top view a softer look.
Bottom View
Side Profile
Initially, Constance came with a simple HG side, but we decided to add a subtle curvature to make the side profile more appealing and softer on the eye. This was a last-minute decision, but we ended up liking it more. It comes with a 9-degree typing and a EKH of 23.799 mm.
Constance comes with 3 pieces of weights: internal, external, and toblerone.
Instead of having a constant fillet radius along the edges, we've made it variable, tapering to almost a sharp edge at the ends for a cleaner and tidier look.
Mounting and plate
Constance features a top-mount design with split plates, similar to keyboards like the Glare TKL and Albatross TKL. This configuration separates the 60% cluster and the function row from the navigator cluster. During development, we experimented with both full and split plates and found that splitting the plates results in a higher-pitched and noticeably louder overall sound profile, which aligns with our preferences.
With the plates split, the layout becomes somewhat symmetrical. As a result, the mounting points are symmetrically positioned for a uniform typing feel but leave the spacebar area unmounted.
We've added cutouts between the function row and number row (only for aluminum and carbon fiber plates) to give the alphas a little more flex with harder plates.
PCB
3. Specifications
1. Layout: F13 TKL (88%) WK and WKL
2. Mounting: Split-plate top mount
3. Typing Angle: 9 Degrees
4. Materials: Aluminium 6063 case with brass, stainless steel, or copper Weights
5. Front Height: EKH 23.799 mm
6. Plate Options: Aluminium Full/Half, Carbon Fiber Full/Half, Polycarbonate Full/Half, and Polypropylene Full/Half
7.PCB: 1.6 mm FR4 + daughter board
8.Weight (Built): Approximately 3,480g (brass weights), 3,420 g (stainless steel weights)
Kit Content:
1x Top Case
1x Bottom Case
1x Internal Weight (brass, copper, stainless steel, spray coated brass, patina brass)
1x External Weight (brass, copper, stainless steel, spray coated brass, patina brass)
1x Toblerone Weigth (brass, copper, stainless steel, spray coated brass, patina brass)
1x Plate of choice (Aluminium Full/Half, Carbon Fiber Full/Half, Polycarbonate Full/Half, and Polypropylene Full/Half)
2x Custom pressure fit rubber feets
1x Carrying Case: Custom with suede internal
All screws/parts/packaging
Add-ons:
Solder PCB + Daughterboard + JST cable
Hotswap PCB Daughterboard + JST cable
Aluminium Full/Half, Carbon Fiber Full/Half, Polycarbonate Full/Half, and Polypropylene Full/Half plates
4. Color Options
5. Prototype Photos
Disclaimer: I have been extensively using both of them for the past few months, so the condition might not be as good as it should be.
Anodized Black + Spray coated brass weight
Spray Coated Cream + Patina brass weight
6. Media
Geon Prototype Stream
Soundtest
Build Stream
7. Availability
Target Price: 430-450 USD (Anodized cases + stainless steel weights) excludes PCB
Sales method: Group buy
8. Vendors
We are in communication with vendors and will announce the full list once everything is confirmed.
DISCORD | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
Special thanks to Geon, Glare, Manu, Laminar, Haldus, Nuxros, Jeen, Nae Kurenai, Ou SVG, and Gtmget for your input and feedback.
IC FORM
aiglatsonstudio:
Updates
1. Date 13/08/2024
Hello everyone, it's been a month since this IC was posted. We truly appreciate all your responses and feedback. Over the past month, based on our testing and your input, we've identified two major issues that needed to be addressed.
First, the mounting points: We noticed that the spacebar vibrated too much because the mounting points on the bottom were too far apart. To resolve this, we moved the mounting points closer to the spacebar and added two more mounts on the bottom and one on the top for extra stability. This modification successfully fixed the vibration issue without making the board too stiff (watch the sound test video for reference).
Second, several IC responses raised concerns about the long feet causing a "thuddy" sound due to excessive vibration transferring from the board to the table, especially the spacebar. We tested this and found it to be true, even when typing on a desk mat. Our solution is to keep the feet long for aesthetics but elevate the area at the end of each foot, so there are only four contact points. This adjustment should give the keyboard a cleaner and poppier sound profile (watch the build stream for comparison). This feet design was inspired by the Della 960, and they were kind enough to give me their blessing to use it. Shout out to Jiwon from Della Key.
Manukbs_:
FINALLY THE BEST TKL
Patty:
Bottom design looks CLEAN, looking forward to seeing more of this!
Saurov:
Really love the design on this, will be keeping my eye on it - GLWIC!
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version