Is there any reason not to use the first (i.e. square)? What are the others for?The three other cutouts allow the switch top to be removed, that way, you can easily change springs or stems.
I want one of the keys to be larger (think like the backspace or right shift key). What size should the frame mount hole be? Will I need stabilisers (how do they work?) and will this affect the PCB layout?[/li][/list]You need stabilizers for any keys wider than 1.75u. The backspace is 2u (twice as wide as regular keycap) and therefore requires a stabilizer. The right shift is 2.75u. While you could probably use a 2u keycap without a stabilizer, the right shift would be quite annoying to press without one.
OK great thanks. Will have a look at my options. Here's the design as it stands if you're interested:Looking forward to see more.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/Rju6IhC.png)
Next question - for the 2U key, what stabiliser should I be looking at? Is there a PCB mount and plate mount version? If I'm going to have a plate and a PCB which should I get?Cherry makes either plate and PCB mounted stabilizers. Costar makes plate mounted stabilizers alone.
I don't want the keys to sit so high so my plan is to put a piece of metal that surrounds all the keys. As I understand, the standard 1U keycaps are 0.750", or 19.05mm square. How much space should I leave between the keycap and this other metal plate?When I have built keyboard cases, I have used the rule of thumb: (19.05 - width of keycap) / 2.
Thanks for the great replies.why not ws2812b's and why 2 teensy's
I have room on the PCB to move the components, so I could leave the appropriate space for the single 2U key. I'll have a look around and see what keycaps available, but as you say, 1.75U might be a lot easier as I don't need the stabiliser.
The components on the PCB are mainly WS2811 chips which control RGB LEDs along with one buffer for logic level conversion. The diodes are all there because the keys will be connected to two different Teensys, so there needs to be protection. There will be debouncing done on the Teensy as well.
I'm not entirely sure if the WS2812Bs fit under the Gateron RGB switches?New batches of Gateron KS-3 (Cherry MX clones) support SMD LEDs, you can tell by the presence of a linear slot on the bottom side of the switch. Although, those slots are made for linear/rectangular LEDs. I'm not sure WS2812Bs would fit since they are square.
I've actually now moved the Teensys, and they're mounted underneath the circuit board anyway.Is there any particular reason you're using Teensies 3.2? Do they have any feature that you're gonna use? I'm asking out of curiosity.
The reason for two is that I need to connect these keys to two computers at the same time. As far as I'm aware, that isn't possible with just the one Teensy.I believe so, but you'd ask the gentlemen in the Living PCB Design thread (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48851.0). They would know better.
Is there any particular reason you're using Teensies 3.2? Do they have any feature that you're gonna use? I'm asking out of curiosity.
The PCB design has also been sent off to Dirty PCBs to be made.Do show us when you get it.