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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Ranger_Trivette on Mon, 22 March 2021, 05:28:07
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i'm building my self-made keyboard :cool:
i'm having problems with the plate.
i understood that the swich is placed at the center of a rectangle with sides 19.05 x 1u/1,25u/1,5u... depending on the keycap.
but the cutting rectangle to place plate-mount stabs in unclear :(
does 2u and 2,25u use the same stabs?
does 6,25u and 7u use the same stabs?
what about the 2,75u?
i founded some measurement of the 2.25u and 7u stabs, may you please check them?
https://imgur.com/gallery/UinUpo4
thanks :)
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You can use plate generators and then take the plate and edit it for your liking in autocad,Fusion etc.
http://builder.swillkb.com/
https://kbplate.ai03.com/
https://plate.keeb.io/
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does 2u and 2,25u use the same stabs? what about the 2,75u?
These are all the same
does 6,25u and 7u use the same stabs?
No
i founded some measurement of the 2.25u and 7u stabs, may you please check them?
https://imgur.com/gallery/UinUpo4
Close enough, you might want to look in the CAD Resources Hub (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47744.0) where you'll find a link to a link to the MX datasheet (https://github.com/mohitg11/GH-CAD-Resources/blob/master/MX%20Series.pdf) which says it's 0.94 and 4.5" which comes out as 23.87 and 114.3mm :)
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2u, 2.25u and 2.75u keys all have the same stabiliser. The stems are 1.25u apart (centre of mount to centre of mount).
On standard space bars, each stabiliser stem is 0.5u from the edge (left or right). In other words, a 1×1 key could fit on each stem right next to an Alt key.
Standard space bars have the switch in the exact middle. Some Cherry-brand keyboards (G80-series, 6.25u or 6u) have the switch somewhat offset though, and some DIY keyboard PCBs and plates are made to fit these dimensions too so that vintage keycaps from those keyboards can be used. Some vintage keyboards have space bars 8u or longer: these all use stabilisers for 8u.
https://deskthority.net/wiki/Space_bar_dimensions
I use QCad to draw plates. It is free to use and uses the DXF file format.
It allows me to create a template "block" for each key with the outline in one layer and the plate cutout in another. Then I enable snapping corner to corner (line "end") when I lay them out.
I also have a layer for "guide lines" to draw lines for aligning things and to make lines with specified lengths from dimensions in switch manufacturers' drawings. To find the centre of a rectangle, I draw guide-lines between opposite corners and snap to the intersection point.
But... The plate builder is much easier to use if you're making a traditional keyboard.
BTW:
* Be aware that the Costar stabiliser mount's rectangular hole is not centred on the mount's. It is somewhat offset in height, and the direction is significant: the wire must be on the same side as the switch's LED.
* You may also find a combined cutout shape that fits both Costar and Cherry plate-mounted stabilisers.
* Switch cutouts that have small notches are for allowing opening of switches in place without desoldering. Those work with Cherry MX and direct clones but not with Kailh (and some others) that have a single large snap on each side instead of two per side. I think the combined Alps/Cherry hole shape could work with Kailh switches though.
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You can use plate generators and then take the plate and edit it for your liking in autocad,Fusion etc.
http://builder.swillkb.com/
https://kbplate.ai03.com/
https://plate.keeb.io/
i've already saw those, thanks.
but i need to understand how the spacement works, not to get my plate done :)
These are all the same
does 6,25u and 7u use the same stabs?
No
thanks!
Close enough, you might want to look in the CAD Resources Hub (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47744.0) where you'll find a link to a link to the MX datasheet (https://github.com/mohitg11/GH-CAD-Resources/blob/master/MX%20Series.pdf) which says it's 0.94 and 4.5" which comes out as 23.87 and 114.3mm :)
i'll check the CAD Resources hub, and thanks for the shortcut, very interesting! :)
2u, 2.25u and 2.75u keys all have the same stabiliser. The stems are 1.25u apart (centre of mount to centre of mount).
On standard space bars, each stabiliser stem is 0.5u from the edge (left or right). In other words, a 1×1 key could fit on each stem right next to an Alt key.
Standard space bars have the switch in the exact middle. Some Cherry-brand keyboards (G80-series, 6.25u or 6u) have the switch somewhat offset though, and some DIY keyboard PCBs and plates are made to fit these dimensions too so that vintage keycaps from those keyboards can be used. Some vintage keyboards have space bars 8u or longer: these all use stabilisers for 8u.
https://deskthority.net/wiki/Space_bar_dimensions
super interesting!
I use QCad to draw plates. It is free to use and uses the DXF file format.
It allows me to create a template "block" for each key with the outline in one layer and the plate cutout in another. Then I enable snapping corner to corner (line "end") when I lay them out.
I also have a layer for "guide lines" to draw lines for aligning things and to make lines with specified lengths from dimensions in switch manufacturers' drawings. To find the centre of a rectangle, I draw guide-lines between opposite corners and snap to the intersection point.
But... The plate builder is much easier to use if you're making a traditional keyboard.
i work every day with inventor/creo/nx
for me is much easier understand how plate "works" and draw them 3d.
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last question...
the ISO enter key give me problems.
i can't understand how to place the switch. does someone know the correct position?
p.s. why is so hard to find a 3d drawing of a decent plate? :(
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last question...
the ISO enter key give me problems.
i can't understand how to place the switch. does someone know the correct position?
You could view the ISO Enter/Return key as consisting of a 1.25×2u rectangle and a smaller 0.25×1u rectangle.
The Cherry MX switch goes in the centre of that 1.25×2u rectangle.
(BTW, some ISO Enter/Return keys are stepped, with only the 1.25×2u portion raised, but I've never seen that on Cherry MX)