Is designing a custom PCB for an existing case acceptable?

[sebi707]

I'm quite new to the custom keyboard community and have yet to build my first board. I really prefer the ISO layout, but unfortunately I have noticed that not all keyboards support ISO. Since I have some background in electronics and I already have designed some PCBs (not keyboard related) I thought I could just make a PCB myself. I this generally an acceptable practice or has this be done in the past? I guess if I just make them for myself nobody will care, but say if I try to sell leftover PCBs? Of course I wouldn't rip-off the original PCB design, but the PCB outline and switch position has to match obviously. I have no specific board in mind yet.

[suicidal_orange]

Are you talking about commercial boards or customs as seen in group buys?  There have been plenty of PCBs made to fit original Cherry boards to add programmability and the original 60% DIY case/mounting is based on the Vortex Poker so there's plenty of history there, the company gets your money for the case so they're happy.  Looking at customs many use a fixed layout plate because it looks and functions better than a universal but underneath is a PCB that supports ISO so you wouldn't be the first person to ask for the plate file to make an ISO version.

[TalkingTree]

I this generally an acceptable practice or has this be done in the past?

Many, myself included, have done so. Either controller boards or entire PCBs.

say if I try to sell leftover PCBs?

Of course you can and I'm sure it would be much appreciated.

[sebi707]

Are you talking about commercial boards or customs as seen in group buys?

I'm talking about custom boards in group buys.

Looking at customs many use a fixed layout plate because it looks and functions better than a universal but underneath is a PCB that supports ISO so you wouldn't be the first person to ask for the plate file to make an ISO version.

Yes, I've noticed that ISO support on the PCB without a matching plate is a thing. But some boards do not even have ISO support on the PCB (e.g. Mode Eighty).

[Sup]

Yeah it's acceptable if the PCB for the keyboard is hard to get, Doesn't support QMK or The original PCB dies fast cough percent.

[Leslieann]

I'm talking about custom boards in group buys.

You may want to look at numbers before you go down that path.

Just a rough guess but it's likely this will cost $200-300 each, it won't cost you that, but you will need a board to work from; spread across only a few people, plus low volume manufacturing, it's not going to be cheap even if you donate your time and effort or even if the designer offers you up the plans to work from.

You're after a small number of people who have a limited edition board, want ISO and are willing to pay that much on top of what they already did. I'm not saying they don't exist, but it's a really small number.

[Hak Foo]

An interesting example is the GH-122.  It was designed so at least one configuration could be dropped in a cheap off-the-shelf case (the IBM/Unicomp 122-key terminal case).  Rather than buying a $500 short-run milled case, or even a $125 lasered aluminium sandwich case, you could get a used M122 for a few dollars (terminal M122s used to be very cheap and common) or a new case for like $25 from Unicomp.