geekhack
geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: alaricljs on Tue, 24 July 2012, 16:27:25
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I'm just going to stick this here to be nice instead of hiding it in my bookmarks...
proto PCB board services:
OSH Park (http://oshpark.com/) (purple boards @ $5/sq in for 3 copies)
BatchPCB (is no more :()
Seeed Fusion (http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/fusion-pcb-service-p-835.html?cPath=185) (10 copies, 25cm^2 max size for $10, larger for more $)
Production PCB board shops:
PCBWing (http://www.pcbwing.com/)
Cherry MX datasheet (http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/switches/key/mx.htm) alternate version with more details (http://docs-europe.electrocomponents.com/webdocs/0146/0900766b8014611b.pdf)
Alps switch datasheet (courtesy: Matias)
[attachurl=2]
teensy's at pjrc.com (http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/index.html)
PCB layout software: KiCAD (http://iut-tice.ujf-grenoble.fr/kicad/)
Costar stabilizer layout (thanks to bpiphany):
[attach=1]
Electronics parts:
Mouser (http://www.mouser.com/)
DigiKey (http://www.digikey.com/)
Hard goods (screws, metal, tools, ...):
McMaster Carr (http://www.mcmaster.com/) - Good for hardware and some raw metal
OnLine Metals (http://www.onlinemetals.com/) - Good for raw metal and plastic
Manufacturing:
Big Blue Saw (http://www.bigbluesaw.com/) - laser/waterjet sheet cutting
Ponoko (https://www.ponoko.com/) - 3d printing
Shapeways (http://www.shapeways.com/) - 3d printing
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hey, good idea!
light-duty one-off machining:
http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/
http://www.emachineshop.com/
3d printing:
http://www.shapeways.com/
stuff that would be cool to document here:
detailed technical drawings of popular keyboards and parts
meshes for common keycaps
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The link to batchpcb is broken, and I also want to add pcbwing (http://pcbwing.com) that I have had plenty of good experience with. Very good service, and helpful with sorting out questions on PCB designs.
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you must include McMaster Carr for .... stuff
http://www.mcmaster.com/#
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http://www.expresspcb.com/
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It's a trap! ExpressPCB is more expensive than OSH if you are doing their Mini Boards. They are more expensive for production than many other fabs. Then there's the cost of being locked into their software.
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Fanboy of http://stores.ebay.com/sitopway (http://stores.ebay.com/sitopway) here as I've probably mentioned a few times in the past :p They seem to have the capability to do pretty much anything I've asked far outside of what they typically claim to offer, including smd assembly with component sourcing. Their prices and regular turnaround times are the best that I've found so far, unless I need something small for which I use OSH. I just recently ordered some rather atypically specced large pcbs for a project, and it took three business days for them to ship. Non-crappy shipping (DHL), although expensive, means it takes around the same time to get to me too.
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Free 2d cad program: qcad.
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Free 2d cad program: qcad.
When I ran the usual "sudo apt-get install qcad" today I got something called LibreCad instead. I don't know exactly how they are related but it is in some way a derivative from qcad.
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Thanks for that link to librecad. We just got a laser-cutter so your timing for free cad software was impeccable ;-)
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i was trained on AutoCAD but i actually prefer DeltaCAD. it is also the easiest CAD program i have ever used. a beginner with no experience would have little trouble.
full feature demo is good for 45 days or buy it for $40. PC and Mac supported.
http://www.deltacad.com/ (http://www.deltacad.com/)
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Figured "DIY Resources" might be the right place to ask/suggest:
Cherry-MX-compatible LED specs/reqs?
Need to know:
1) physical and electrical parameters, for full compatibility with cherry-switch boards
2) types of soldering equipment and any other tools required or recommended for any LED-modding
3) where to get them
And perhaps a "LED mod" guide?
If such a thing already exists, i'm having trouble finding it, and think it should be included in the OP of this thread.
kthxbye!
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The most compatible leds are going to be 3mm flat top, column (no shoulder) LEDs. After that is 3mm flat top w/ shoulder (and suggest you cut it off), and lastly 3mm dome of either type with the same suggestions.
As for electrical specs, you'd want to match whatever the design intended. Most red/yellow/orange LEDs are 2.2-2.4 volts and most blue/green/pink/white/uv are 3.1-3.4 volts so they are usually not interchangeable unless you can also swap out the resistors. This of course depends on you being able to determine how the circuit is driven in the first place, some boards do not use 1 resistor for every LED.
For LED modding tools you want whatever tools you are comfortable with for de-soldering and soldering, Weller and Hakko are the common upper end and mid-tier brands, Aoyue is a feature complete brand that is less expensive but doesn't have the pedigree. You can go with a cheapo Radio Shack manual desoldering iron if you don't plan on doing this sort of thing a lot. Flush-cut clippers for cutting leads and shoulders. There are many places to get this stuff, and many brands.
As for where to get LEDs, ebay is pretty good mostly because of the search engine.
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.
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Resistors are not rated in voltage, it's wattage... wattage is amps times volts.
LedCalc (http://ledcalc.com/) is a good resource for figuring out what you're looking for...
Most keyboards I've seen supply the 5v from USB straight to the LED with an appropriate resistor. I think I recall Deck boards using a couple parallel LEDs per resistor.
You just figure out what the circuit does, and use that to figure out what wattage resistor to use with your particular LED to get good results.
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Any interest in a SketchUp model of Cherry profile key-caps? May do OEM caps at some point too. Just external at the moment, though I am going to add thickness and stem details - just thought I'd post progress.
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a258/supermanic/Keyboards/cherryprofile.jpg)
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3d printing/rapid prototyping resources:
damorgue: high purity titanium (short on machine time?) nil on machine time
treble318: CNC milling of various materials, powdercoating (CURRENTLY DOWN)
shapeways: great option for one-offs
signature plastics: unknown what rapid prototyping/FDM capabilities they have no FDM
i should also add that many people here probably have hackerspaces nearby (especially if you are in the seattle area) but may not know it. these outfits will teach you how to use their fabrication devices for a small donation in time and money.
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3d printing/rapid prototyping resources:
damorgue: high purity titanium (short on machine time?)
treble318: CNC milling of various materials (CURRENTLY DOWN)
shapeways: great option for one-offs
signature plastics: unknown what rapid prototyping/FDM capabilities they have
Prototal and Materialise can both print things in plastic as well in case you need other options than Shapeways.
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Where can I find a predesigned PCB layout for a TKL board?
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Where can I find a predesigned PCB layout for a TKL board?
i dont think your going to find one...
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Where can I find a predesigned PCB layout for a TKL board?
You could get the GH60 for a 60% layout. The files are in the thread.
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Where can I find a predesigned PCB layout for a TKL board?
i dont think your going to find one...
Thats too bad. I thought with the custom boards floating around someone would be sharing their design. I don't know the first thing about designing stuff like this, but I can build it if I have designs :D I guess the next best thing would be to try to get a hold of a pre-made board from someone like costar but I doubt they'd be open to the idea of selling just a pcb.
Where can I find a predesigned PCB layout for a TKL board?
You could get the GH60 for a 60% layout. The files are in the thread.
Yeah I saw that thread and it looks like an awesome community project, but 60% keyboard just don't float my boat. I've tried several before and always missed the extra keys on a tkl.
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I tried for just cases from Costar, no go. Whole boat or nothing.
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I tried for just cases from Costar, no go. Whole boat or nothing.
Costar makes boats now?
sweet
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this is definitely a good list. thank you!
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can someone provide an exact technical drawing (or measurements from 3d profiling) of a filco tkl case?
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Kinesis Advantage parts, including PCB-mount cherry MX switches with integrated diodes: Kinesis
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/
o-rings (switch dampeners), stabilizers, as well as custom keycaps and cherry MX switches (plate-mount only): WASD Keyboards
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/
Electronic parts: ABRA Electronics
http://www.abra-electronics.com/
Arcade buttons: Canadian Joysticks
http://www.canadianjoysticks.com/
Programmable devices/buttons: PI Engineering
http://www.piengineering.com/access.php
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This will seem like a stupid question, but I cannot find this anywhere on the forum (so far) -- where do you guys keep that keycap printout that I keep seeing people use to display their moogle and tsangan kits, etc.? I'm interested in joining a groupbuy and am trying to figure out what kits I'll need, and I'm hoping this sheet will help me determine what I'll need.
Where can I find this printout?
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It came from this:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=36739.0
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conveniently still available for purchase here: http://www.techkeys.us/accessories.php
:)
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Here is another great product: a Bluetooth keyboard adapter that turns a USB/PS2 keyboard into a Bluetooth keyboard. Just got mine. Works like a charm on my Model-M and iPad.
http://handheldsci.com/kb
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What sort of battery life do you get with a Model M on there?
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Wow, this thread is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks
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BatchPCB is no more, Sparkfun killed it off :(
I made my first PCB on BatchPCB, I was sorry to see it go. They (and I) recommend OshPark, especially if you live in the U.S.
Very small boards are very cheap there; for instance, I just ordered 3 boards to fit a single Cherry MX switch and spent $4.10, including shipping.
Anyone else using Eagle for PCB construction?
I've made a very rudimentary library for Cherry MX switches on Eagle, but it needs testing/refinement. Happy to share it though.
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any recommendations for custom cut metal plates?
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Solidworks student edition for vets (http://store.solidworks.com/veteran/default.php)
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any recommendations for custom cut metal plates?
Talk to The_Beast for getting them cut/made.
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any recommendations for custom cut metal plates?
Matt3o is currently running a GB for custom laser cutting on deskthority.
http://deskthority.net/marketplace-f11/laser-cut-prototyping-mini-gb-t6102.html
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alright so how do i get started with kicad? The website in the OP on this thread is kind of vague. If it helps i am running Win8 64 bit.
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Any chance we can add resources for springs to this thread?
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Name them :)
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Name them :)
That's why I ask because I don't have a clue and I am feeling lazy right know about searching.
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RC hobby shops often have inexpensive 5.5mm nut drivers for opening IBM/Lexmark/Unicomp keyboards.
I was able to pick one up at Hobby Home in Toronto for C$4 (tax included).
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RC hobby shops often have inexpensive 5.5mm nut drivers for opening IBM/Lexmark/Unicomp keyboards.
I was able to pick one up at Hobby Home in Toronto for C$4 (tax included).
In case someone doesn't have them nearby, this one (http://www.ebay.com/itm/201022270877?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649) happens to work with IBM boards.
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Does anyone know the 'type' of ribbon connector the IBM membranes use?
I bought a IBM actionwriter with a buckling spring keyboard. I couldn't get the female ribbon cable sockets off the main board easily and I was hoping I could just buy the right thing off digikey.
I'd like to try and wire this up to a teensy I had laying around.
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i happen to have a few of those. they are called FFC connectors. the specific ones you want are TRIO-MATE series.
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i happen to have a few of those. they are called FFC connectors. the specific ones you want are TRIO-MATE series.
Thanks. Do you happen to know the pitch size of these connectors? My hunch is 0.100" (2.54mm) based on what is available but I don't have anything that measures smaller than a mm.
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yes, that is correct; .1"
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Open source tools for quickly creating keyboard layouts? Not sure if one exists allowing you to change the sizes of some keys? (ie: substituting 1x1 for tab/capslock)
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The two applications that I use are not open source, but are free.
For quick keyboard representations within Windows, I use Keyboard Designer which is part of Qliner Hotkeys. The main application (Hotkeys) is similar to AutoHotkey and the installer places a process in the Run key of your registry (I remove it because i don't use that feature).
You can set height and width of keys and spaces and even do multi-height keys like ISO Enter. You can not change the angle of keys, do a column-staggered layout, or multi-line text on the keys. Also, color and font options are global - you can't make the color of some keys different than others. The user interface looks like this:
[attach=1]
If you need to do multi-line text, column-staggered layout, angled keys, or truly odd shaped keys, you will need a graphics or CAD program. If you ever want to turn you layout into a real keyboard, you will need CAD. DeltaCad is the easiest, most intuitive CAD application that I have used and the full functional demo is good for 90 days before print/save is disabled (re-install to get another 90 days). The UI looks like this:
[attach=2]
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For PCB fabrication and assembly services . Do also consider Yucha Electronics Pvt Ltd. (http://www.joga-pcba.com) .
Review and compare manufacturing and assembly rates at PCB Prototype Quote system (http://joga-pcba.com/pcb-prototype.php). :) :thumb: