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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: mpamplona on Mon, 11 May 2020, 10:46:44

Title: My first build. Suggestions
Post by: mpamplona on Mon, 11 May 2020, 10:46:44

Hi, i'm new here and want to build my first keyboard.
I need suggestions for a already made open-source project with these fullfillments:
- > 60%
- Plate in PCB material, to manufacture in same place as the mainboard (if the project have one). I don't know if this is a good idea, but i think this is cheap to manufacture and have great precision.

I'm a electronics enginner, and my idea is to use a open source project as starting point to a customized version.

Thanks!

Title: Re: My first build. Suggestions
Post by: nevin on Mon, 11 May 2020, 11:20:00

yes, FR4 (pcb material) makes for good plates as well as being inexpensive.
take a look at keeb.io for examples of simple spaced/sandwich style boards (most are ergo, not standard boards)

- as far as manufacturers.... i don't have any experience or suggestions for you.

- you could do a layered acylic case if you want a little more than just two spaced FR4 plates (ponoko.com or similar)

some tools
Keyboard Layout Editor (http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/)
SwillKB Plate & Case Builder (http://builder.swillkb.com/)

info
https://wiki.ai03.me/
https://github.com/ai03-2725
as well as the popular GH60 (http://blog.komar.be/projects/gh60-programmable-keyboard/)

Title: Re: My first build. Suggestions
Post by: Applet on Mon, 11 May 2020, 11:29:50

I have made a project with a 60% tray-mount PCB with FR4-plate. Just recently ordered plates, they turned out great imo.
https://github.com/4pplet/waffling60

Gerbers for plate is not included in the release, but I can add them if needed. Project is designed in Altium 17, prototypes of PCB and plate ordered from JLCPCB.

Title: Re: My first build. Suggestions
Post by: mpamplona on Tue, 12 May 2020, 03:45:43

Quote from: Applet on Mon, 11 May 2020, 11:29:50

I have made a project with a 60% tray-mount PCB with FR4-plate. Just recently ordered plates, they turned out great imo.
https://github.com/4pplet/waffling60

Gerbers for plate is not included in the release, but I can add them if needed. Project is designed in Altium 17, prototypes of PCB and plate ordered from JLCPCB.

Hey! Your project is awesome, thank you.
Do you have any spare plates/pcb to sell ?

Title: Re: My first build. Suggestions
Post by: Applet on Tue, 12 May 2020, 10:26:33

Quote from: mpamplona on Tue, 12 May 2020, 03:45:43

Hey! Your project is awesome, thank you.
Do you have any spare plates/pcb to sell ?

Thanks! :D PM sent