Interesting. This is indeed more useful than the other thread for PCB-design inspiration. I do note that each segment of Tipro PCB has a dedicated controller, and that the boards are connected by small ribbon cables.
This is physically similar to my GH36 inter-connect design, although without controllers on each PCB, the interconnect has 19 traces, so a 20-wire ribbon is needed. It also means the blocks are spaced further apart than on a typical 104-key keyboard. (Although to be fair, there is no standard gutter width.)
Unlike the Tipro, a 122-key non-POS keyboard is made up of several different matrix sizes. 2x5, 15x5, 3x5, and 4x5 just for the main blocks. That means either multiple unique PCBs or a matrix that can be cut down for each of the subsidiary blocks. That is simple to do, but it doesn't eliminate PCB-cutting. And a purpose-built 60% would still be required for the main block.
Still, with the GH36 I have an interconnect designed, and experience in making a multi-size matrix PCB. In fact, the GH36 already supports 2x5, 2x6, 4x5, with 3x5 an easy mod. I'll play with modularity in a design draft for the GH-122/154 PCB.
It is easier to see how case modularity can be applied. Again, the different block sizes make custom sub-block molds out of the question, but some design modularity is probably possible with attainable methods.
Thanks for this supplementary post. It is helpful to see the specific internals you've been advocating.
Thanks!
- Ron | samwisekoi
Sig auto-typed by my GH36 LH keypad.
