Author Topic: [IC] Clueboard CNC'd Aluminum Case (Read 22389 times)

skullydazed · « **on:** Tue, 21 June 2016, 02:38:43 »

Imgur Album: http://imgur.com/gallery/YOwqL

This is two of the Clueboard Aluminum Case prototypes. The case is two solid pieces of Aluminum that have been CNC milled.

The plate is integrated into the case for an extremely sturdy and rigid design. There is no flex or pinging on these cases.

We made several changes and improvements to the design based on the prototypes. Most are not visible changes (like increasing the amount of room inside for the PCB through several tweaks) but one of the prominent changes is increasing the lip around the edge. From most angles switches will no longer be visible, while still allowing for even the largest SA caps.

Interest Form

To gauge interest and figure out what colors should be produced I've put together this form, please fill it out if you want to buy a case: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/16bAnQ7ygDPMfOg0luyiKC4aZFabileAtbzfDeoJfK-M/viewform

henz · « **Reply #1 on:** Tue, 21 June 2016, 02:44:33 »

looks dope!

loud_asian · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue, 21 June 2016, 03:07:19 »

My interest is piqued, might pick up a case if the price is right

joey · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue, 21 June 2016, 03:25:32 »

Dope!

Almost tempting..

smart5088 · « **Reply #4 on:** Tue, 21 June 2016, 04:09:39 »

interest. keyboard is what pcb ?

this is leopold 660 lay out ? and leopold 660 pcb ?

joey · « **Reply #5 on:** Tue, 21 June 2016, 04:15:15 »

Quote from: smart5088 on Tue, 21 June 2016, 04:09:39

interest. keyboard is what pcb ?

this is leopold 660 lay out ? and leopold 660 pcb ?

The PCB would be a clueboard PCB (designed by skully), http://clueboard.co

Jokrik · « **Reply #6 on:** Tue, 21 June 2016, 04:19:56 »

Can I assume this will support the alps pcb?

kiwi99 · « **Reply #7 on:** Tue, 21 June 2016, 04:26:59 »

Good stuff skully, it looks amazing and unique

Auxo · « **Reply #8 on:** Tue, 21 June 2016, 07:02:29 »

MOZ · « **Reply #9 on:** Tue, 21 June 2016, 07:14:02 »

That's a very a nice looking case, I'm not into the Clueboard layout, but if I ever design a case for my own projects, sure will take a few cues from this.

Well done!

xondat · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 21 June 2016, 07:22:53 »

Interested to try the layout but the cases never did it for me - this one does. I love the idea of combining the plate and top piece, it looks amazing.

chuckdee · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 21 June 2016, 10:49:48 »

Interested. would like to see the color for purple... and black if you decide to make it available.

SixtyLife · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue, 21 June 2016, 10:53:20 »

this looks slick

eyedrop · « **Reply #13 on:** Tue, 21 June 2016, 11:40:17 »

That looks really good. Will keep an eye out for sure. I filled out the IC form also.

Data · « **Reply #14 on:** Tue, 21 June 2016, 12:19:36 »

Very clean. I like the bevel around the top edge.

theXavier89 · « **Reply #15 on:** Tue, 21 June 2016, 14:58:16 »

I'd totally buy these.

One in black and one in red. I have to have options for my Deadpool build.

UsualSuspectXXX · « **Reply #16 on:** Tue, 21 June 2016, 17:50:35 »

Really cool looking case. If only I had a clueboard... and wasn't about to start 3 other projects.

It'd be awesome to see this case design on another form factor like a 60%.

murkey · « **Reply #17 on:** Sat, 25 June 2016, 00:27:46 »

Interested!

SBJ · « **Reply #18 on:** Sun, 26 June 2016, 08:45:40 »

Filled out the form, and am definitely interested. I was disapointed to find it it wasn't a Leopold FC660C that it was for, but I guess a Clueboard with Zealios will do

braidn · « **Reply #19 on:** Tue, 28 June 2016, 18:52:10 »

Filled out and co platelets psyched for this. Love it Skully

misconceit · « **Reply #20 on:** Wed, 29 June 2016, 11:05:39 »

Quote from: StickyBlueJuice on Sun, 26 June 2016, 08:45:40

Filled out the form, and am definitely interested. I was disapointed to find it it wasn't a Leopold FC660C that it was for, but I guess a Clueboard with Zealios will do

Makes me want to build one with Zealios 62g as well

duynguyenle · « **Reply #21 on:** Fri, 01 July 2016, 12:03:28 »

I'm in! Extra credits if it can support Alps too!

braidn · « **Reply #22 on:** Tue, 19 July 2016, 22:49:52 »

Any updates here Skully? Super excited about this!

Chedda7 · « **Reply #23 on:** Thu, 21 July 2016, 01:09:03 »

The renders look great!

Erysichthon · « **Reply #24 on:** Wed, 03 August 2016, 21:35:56 »

I'd love one if blue is a chosen color!

sony · « **Reply #25 on:** Wed, 10 August 2016, 23:48:21 »

I'm in if it supports alps. One for my white and one for my blue alps.

romevi · « **Reply #26 on:** Thu, 11 August 2016, 00:09:27 »

Any updates on progress? Specifically, if Alps are supported?

Wannabe · « **Reply #27 on:** Thu, 11 August 2016, 09:27:37 »

Interested in a purple one.

Bucky · « **Reply #28 on:** Fri, 26 August 2016, 11:40:39 »

Depending on when this comes out I may be interested.

KHAANNN · « **Reply #29 on:** Fri, 26 August 2016, 14:21:31 »

Wow. Amazing

Out of curiosity, why are the inner borders rounded, while the keyboard design itself is pretty sharp

On the pro side, it's a lot like Cherry keycaps, where they have sharp bottoms, yet the top of the keycaps are rounded, similarly this keyboard has pretty sharp bottoms, but the gaps are rounded

I just wonder whether an all-sharp keyboard could look more appealing, with GMK keycaps (or other Cherry keycaps)

skullydazed · « **Reply #30 on:** Fri, 26 August 2016, 18:15:06 »

Quote from: KHAANNN on Fri, 26 August 2016, 14:21:31

Wow. Amazing

Out of curiosity, why are the inner borders rounded, while the keyboard design itself is pretty sharp

On the pro side, it's a lot like Cherry keycaps, where they have sharp bottoms, yet the top of the keycaps are rounded, similarly this keyboard has pretty sharp bottoms, but the gaps are rounded

I just wonder whether an all-sharp keyboard could look more appealing, with GMK keycaps (or other Cherry keycaps)

Mostly that has to do with CNC tooling. The smallest corner you can make is the radius of your cutting tool, and it would be prohibitively expensive to cut those with sharp corners.

Production costs aside, I think you have an interesting idea. It could look pretty good to have sharp GMK caps with nice crisp corners.

skullydazed · « **Reply #31 on:** Fri, 26 August 2016, 18:16:56 »

New Renders!

xondat · « **Reply #32 on:** Fri, 26 August 2016, 18:25:01 »

Quote from: skullydazed on Fri, 26 August 2016, 18:16:56

New Renders!

Show Image

Show Image

Still pretty. I need those caps in my library soon though.

How many screw holes now?

KHAANNN · « **Reply #33 on:** Fri, 26 August 2016, 18:35:03 »

Quote from: skullydazed on Fri, 26 August 2016, 18:15:06

Mostly that has to do with CNC tooling. The smallest corner you can make is the radius of your cutting tool, and it would be prohibitively expensive to cut those with sharp corners.

Production costs aside, I think you have an interesting idea. It could look pretty good to have sharp GMK caps with nice crisp corners.

Thanks, It's like a dream/obsession of mine :]

I thought about designing a keyboard that's just drilled into a solid block of aluminium, so keyboard's frame and plate would be one, but it requires too much dedication and time

------

In the meantime, this version of the Clueboard is just incredible

I really like the looks of the WASD keyboard, apart from the plastics, they are just spectacular, the sides of the Clueboard has the same vibe

When the time comes, I would love to own one or two of these

xondat · « **Reply #34 on:** Fri, 26 August 2016, 18:39:46 »

Quote from: KHAANNN on Fri, 26 August 2016, 18:35:03

I thought about designing a keyboard that's just drilled into a solid block of aluminium, so keyboard's frame and plate would be one, but it requires too much dedication and time

Not possible unless you had a hole somewhere to slot the PCB in

wouldn't be too hard to design imo (with previous experience).

jchan94 · « **Reply #35 on:** Fri, 26 August 2016, 18:40:54 »

Quote from: skullydazed on Fri, 26 August 2016, 18:16:56

New Renders!

Show Image

Show Image

Quote from: skullydazed on Fri, 26 August 2016, 18:16:56

New Renders!

Show Image

Show Image

Love it! The edgy look matches my 2016 Prius (no regrets with 55 smiles per gallon)

KHAANNN · « **Reply #36 on:** Fri, 26 August 2016, 18:47:55 »

Quote from: xondat on Fri, 26 August 2016, 18:39:46

Quote from: KHAANNN on Fri, 26 August 2016, 18:35:03
I thought about designing a keyboard that's just drilled into a solid block of aluminium, so keyboard's frame and plate would be one, but it requires too much dedication and time
Not possible unless you had a hole somewhere to slot the PCB in wouldn't be too hard to design imo (with previous experience).

I don't know the limitations of the CNC processes, so first I would need to learn these processes

But basically, the bottom is empty, when the build is completed, you close the bottom part of the keyboard with a plate (which has the feet attached) - so unless you flip the keyboard, all you see is a block of aluminium

Not sure how good it would look tho, I personally prefer the looks of the Clueboard (this case) style keyboards, where the switches are recessed, however, since my layout is: http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/e981a31e8654ca60b7c8 - and all my layouts have gaps, It seems like the best option for me

Bucky · « **Reply #37 on:** Fri, 26 August 2016, 20:56:01 »

Was there ever a discussion of a diffuser to utilize the under mounted LEDs?

Jumie · « **Reply #38 on:** Sat, 27 August 2016, 01:51:46 »

Will this be compatible with fc660m pcb?

skullydazed · « **Reply #39 on:** Sat, 27 August 2016, 14:00:16 »

Quote from: Jumie on Sat, 27 August 2016, 01:51:46

Will this be compatible with fc660m pcb?

No, we had to add a second mounting post on the left that the fc660m pcb doesn't have. It makes the board really strong and only a few people would do that anyway.

Quote from: Bucky on Fri, 26 August 2016, 20:56:01

Was there ever a discussion of a diffuser to utilize the under mounted LEDs?

I've looked into it, but for now that's not an option.

Bucky · « **Reply #40 on:** Sat, 27 August 2016, 21:47:11 »

Alright, well maybe just a thought as an add on for the future. Looking good!

KHAANNN · « **Reply #41 on:** Sat, 27 August 2016, 21:53:02 »

Filled the form, Dark Grey, Silver, Dark Grey.

When are we going to have this beauty by the way?

A rough ETA would be nice :)

B1G_B1RD · « **Reply #42 on:** Tue, 06 September 2016, 14:34:51 »

Thats a great looking case. I wish i had a clueboard now.

nateth · « **Reply #43 on:** Thu, 08 September 2016, 02:19:44 »

I'm all in for the Alps model down the pipe.

romevi · « **Reply #44 on:** Mon, 12 September 2016, 21:27:57 »

Quote from: nateth on Thu, 08 September 2016, 02:19:44

I'm all in for the Alps model down the pipe.

Same.

dead_pixel_design · « **Reply #45 on:** Tue, 13 September 2016, 14:14:59 »

What kind of ballpark pricing would we be looking at for a case like this?

ntw · « **Reply #46 on:** Tue, 13 September 2016, 14:26:17 »

Quote from: dead_pixel_design on Tue, 13 September 2016, 14:14:59

What kind of ballpark pricing would we be looking at for a case like this?

^ asking the important question

MandrewDavis · « **Reply #47 on:** Sat, 17 September 2016, 22:13:34 »

Maybe this is asking too much, but I would buy two if there was a future case revision to support some type of an AEK-esque Alps layout.

skullydazed · « **Reply #48 on:** Fri, 23 September 2016, 00:26:01 »

We got the manufacturing samples back! The grey needs to be reworked (it didn't match the first sample,) but the Silver and the Orange look fantastic! They fit together well and everything feels nice and solid.

http://imgur.com/gallery/YOwqL

If you're gonna be at the KiiboHD meetup on Saturday you'll have a chance to handle one of these yourself. They're pretty hefty boards, and very solid.

We've decided on pricing. Retail price for this will be $149.99 for the case alone. I've been talking to Massdrop about running this, and depending on the number of people in the drop we should be able to get the price down quite a lot from there.

I've also been working on acrylic inserts for the case. The underlight reflects pretty well on the silver case (less well on the orange) and so far I really like either clear or transparent cobalt blue. You can see the cobalt blue on my instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKrZ8z0h790/

I can't say anything about timing this update, but we're drawing ever closer!

loud_asian · « **Reply #49 on:** Fri, 23 September 2016, 00:36:17 »

unf.. thanks for the update
gonna need more pics tho


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Author Topic: [IC] Clueboard CNC'd Aluminum Case (Read 22389 times)