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geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: tommyamoszhao on Wed, 26 May 2021, 12:23:54

Title: [IC] QUARKeys Z40 low profile keyboard, 40% MIT layout, full kit
Post by: tommyamoszhao on Wed, 26 May 2021, 12:23:54
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/72b918_0110d9f3192249c093371d425e1da38a~mv2.png)
Hi, Everyone! This is TommyZ from QUARKeys Studio (https://www.quarkeys.com). Join our(Discord (https://discord.gg/znB8uCymK5)). First allow me to introduce our first keyboard QUARKeys Z40, it is MIT layout, low profile, full kit(Switches & Keycaps included). This project started at late June 2020. Through the year, along side several other keyboard designs(different layout), we carried out numerous tests to verify structural & design flaws, prototypes to find out the best cost-price balance. Finally we manage to release models that we are happy with. We sincerely hope  that you could help us to provide better design in the future IC Form (https://forms.gle/L6kHGKkwz8oMUvDA9).
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/72b918_0ffa62af2f2d4c888b06f5c54193f7bc~mv2.png)
New members joined in this time!!
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/72b918_7900b162e94847caa0def2438294ddd1~mv2.png)
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/72b918_1bc64909cd2d47ad8ba7a857ea6b2fda~mv2.png)
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/72b918_e27d9ed07c644052978da0a29ea50b63~mv2.png)

(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/72b918_101580d9f16e4c2dbd5565b640f1d170~mv2.png)
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/72b918_04b786cbb3bb45b7aabc1f1b63740675~mv2.png)
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/72b918_d999b61a972c488a84045076db07f90e~mv2.png)
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/72b918_59a12116317f44b7acf66bf2aec1d224~mv2.png)
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/72b918_6dd856b405c74864bbe72e26536228ca~mv2.png)
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/72b918_21f084ca2d404006b9fdd7e7dc3ab9e7~mv2.png)
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/72b918_e97a13983dd64f3d95dfaa1153187dcb~mv2.png)


Dimension:
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/72b918_be45016ab5bb47669774018273ee0c60~mv2.png)
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/72b918_71f64744b55740a6b1227595ef73d18c~mv2.png)


Design Philosophy:

Specs:

Kit Include:

Optional Parts:

Pricing:

Timeline & Notice:


Updates:


Thread:
Title: Re: [IC] QUARK Z40 low profile keyboard, 40% Plank, full kit
Post by: piit79 on Wed, 26 May 2021, 15:23:08
Looks nice! Two questions:

1) What switches does it use? You just say "low profile switches", but not the manufacturer or model. Probably not Chocs (judging by the caps)
2) Will the keycaps be BoW as pictured?

The lead time of 60-90 days is surprisingly short, I hope you will be able to stick with it. If you're not absolutely sure, I'd recommend extending it - better deliver early than with a delay.

Also, just went to the website and it says "(c) 2023 by QuarkTech-Studio" :D
Title: Re: [IC] QUARK Z40 low profile keyboard, 40% Plank, full kit
Post by: Kokaloo on Wed, 26 May 2021, 15:37:56
Designing a board for cherry mx low pro is very admirable considering all the other options available like kailh mid pro and choc.
Pretty cool tho i'll keep an eye on this, glwic
Title: Re: [IC] QUARK Z40 low profile keyboard, 40% Plank, full kit
Post by: MIGHTY CHICKEN on Wed, 26 May 2021, 16:44:00
Interested on the specifics of what will be included
Title: Re: [IC] QUARK Z40 low profile keyboard, 40% Plank, full kit
Post by: nasp on Wed, 26 May 2021, 17:59:48
Might be a bit confusing to use the Quark name considering this PCB, but perhaps not. https://www.checkerboards.xyz/quark_pcb
Title: Re: [IC] QUARK Z40 low profile keyboard, 40% Plank, full kit
Post by: tommyamoszhao on Thu, 27 May 2021, 01:21:53
Quote from: piit79 on Wed, 26 May 2021, 15:23:08
Looks nice! Two questions:

1) What switches does it use? You just say "low profile switches", but not the manufacturer or model. Probably not Chocs (judging by the caps)
2) Will the keycaps be BoW as pictured?

The lead time of 60-90 days is surprisingly short, I hope you will be able to stick with it. If you're not absolutely sure, I'd recommend extending it - better deliver early than with a delay.

Also, just went to the website and it says "(c) 2023 by QuarkTech-Studio" :D


Thank you so much for the notice.

  So first, we chose the brand TTC as our low profile key switches for it's typing experience among other low profile switch brands.
  Second, yes BoW is sure, other confirmed information about keycaps is XDA profile; white keycap color; but the legend might change, there might be separate keycaps for windows and Mac users, and will come with the kit as extra mod keys.
  Third, couldn't agree enough with you, deliver early is good but overdue will be a disaster, 60-90 days lead time is the result after extension so this is sure, I double checked with the manufacturer today. Will remove the 'TBD'.
  Last, thank you again for the website banner, that was a early name, now we use QUARKeys Studio. I'm going to change it now.
Title: Re: [IC] QUARK Z40 low profile keyboard, 40% Plank, full kit
Post by: tommyamoszhao on Thu, 27 May 2021, 01:35:03
Quote from: Kokaloo on Wed, 26 May 2021, 15:37:56
Designing a board for cherry mx low pro is very admirable considering all the other options available like kailh mid pro and choc.
Pretty cool tho i'll keep an eye on this, glwic

Thank you so much for your attention.
This keyboard is designed and build around TTC low-pro switches
Title: Re: [IC] QUARK Z40 low profile keyboard, 40% Plank, full kit
Post by: tommyamoszhao on Thu, 27 May 2021, 01:37:24
Quote from: MIGHTY CHICKEN on Wed, 26 May 2021, 16:44:00
Interested on the specifics of what will be included

Thank you for your support, and yes, full kit means package comes with switches and keycaps as shown on the "Kit Includes" section.
Title: Re: [IC] QUARK Z40 low profile keyboard, 40% Plank, full kit
Post by: tommyamoszhao on Thu, 27 May 2021, 01:53:44
Quote from: nasp on Wed, 26 May 2021, 17:59:48
Might be a bit confusing to use the Quark name considering this PCB, but perhaps not. https://www.checkerboards.xyz/quark_pcb

Thank you for the notice, the reason we chose 'QUARK' as our brand is because it's one of the fundamental factors of matters, this matches our designing principle which is starting from the very base and build up the entire project. However, we do notice later on that 'QUARK' was already taken, so in order to honor the origin, we now use 'QUARKeys' as our brand.
Title: Re: [IC] QUARKeys Z40 low profile keyboard, 40% Plank, full kit
Post by: Findecanor on Mon, 31 May 2021, 03:09:09
Are these some special low-profile XDA?
Regular XDA on these switches would likely hit the plate when you press a key. You would have to omit the plate to avoid that, but the PCB is supposed to be suspended by the plate so the existing keyboard design would not work with that.
(I have only tried XDA on Cherry MX Low Profile, which the TTC switch is a clone of. Not on actual TTC)

How about support for Kailh Choc and Choc V2?

BTW, There was a keyboard parts vendor in the UK called "QWERkeys", but I think they are defunct now.
Title: Re: [IC] QUARKeys Z40 low profile keyboard, 40% Plank, full kit
Post by: tommyamoszhao on Mon, 31 May 2021, 07:33:15
Quote from: Findecanor on Mon, 31 May 2021, 03:09:09
Are these some special low-profile XDA?
Regular XDA on these switches would likely hit the plate when you press a key. You would have to omit the plate to avoid that, but the PCB is supposed to be suspended by the plate so the existing keyboard design would not work with that.
(I have only tried XDA on Cherry MX Low Profile, which the TTC switch is a clone of. Not on actual TTC)

How about support for Kailh Choc and Choc V2?

BTW, There was a keyboard parts vendor in the UK called "QWERkeys", but I think they are defunct now.

Thanks for your reply, Findecanor. yes they are new type of XDA caps, but not specially made for low pro switches, I'm sure you'll find it very easily in the market pretty soon. This cap is the same height as normal XDA profile caps but rounder, we chose it simply because it looks good and sounds good.

We did notice the problem you mentioned before the project starts, so we went to TTc and talked to them, after several modded version, this version of low pro switch has a clearance about 0.5mm from cap-bottom to plate-surface when bottomed out. As for normal XDA cap on this switch, the clearance is even larger. Currently we are working on the plate to enlarge the safety clearance without gaining extra height for the keyboard, result will come out soon. However, due to its short travel, Cherry MX keycaps still don't work, XDA, DSA caps are fine.

I talked to our PCB manufacturer today, adding compatibility to kailh Choc, Choc V2 and Gateron low pro shouldn't need huge effort, and the test result will come out before next weekend. However, we don't have contracts or agreements with Gateron and Kailh yet, so I'm afraid that we wouldn't be able to provide their switches in the package, luckily there are quite a few in the market already. To compensate, the full package deal on our website will become separate link of base kit, switches and caps, leaving more freedom of choice for customers.

I think they named their brand according to "QWERTY" layout, we are different companies.
Title: [IC] QUARKeys Z40 low profile keyboard, 40% Plank, full kit
Post by: Technofrikus on Mon, 31 May 2021, 10:45:12
Love the design and the lowprofileness :)

You should clarify in the first post that DSA/XDA keycaps are still possible. I read your warning about the MX caps not being compatible that no caps at all are compatible, but you mean only cherry profile?

And yes, please make separate keys for win/mac. The current way everyone has the wrong legends and it just doesnt look nice with the double legends.
Title: Re: [IC] QUARKeys Z40 low profile keyboard, 40% Plank, full kit
Post by: tommyamoszhao on Wed, 02 June 2021, 12:07:09
Quote from: Technofrikus on Mon, 31 May 2021, 10:45:12
Love the design and the lowprofileness :)

You should clarify in the first post that DSA/XDA keycaps are still possible. I read your warning about the MX caps not being compatible that no caps at all are compatible, but you mean only cherry profile?

And yes, please make separate keys for win/mac. The current way everyone has the wrong legends and it just doesnt look nice with the double legends.

Thank you Technofrikus for your reply.

Yes the TTC low pro switch is compatible with MX switch-stem, they just don't work with Cherry profile keycaps due to its narrowness of hollow chamber, Cherry profile keycaps will likely hit on the side of these Low pro switches.  Thank you so much for pointing this out.

Making separate mod keys for both OS was our original plan, there would be just under 10 extra keys but would make a huge difference.

To answer your question in IC Form, sure there will be extra blank 1U keys, but regretfully, for low pro situation, the stabilizers go through the PCB hence having layout for both 2x1U spcBar and 1x2U spcBar cannot be done.
Title: Re: [IC] QUARKeys Z40 low profile keyboard, 40% Plank, full kit
Post by: nanooq on Tue, 15 June 2021, 14:14:05
I was keeping an eye on this but there is a complete lack of activity in the discord. Was the GB not planned to start today?

Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk

Title: Re: [IC] QUARKeys Z40 low profile keyboard, 40% Plank, full kit
Post by: tommyamoszhao on Sun, 27 June 2021, 03:31:39
Sorry for delay on GB. Lacking of exposure really leads to the fail of the first attempt. We simply don't give up projects that easy, after several exposure channel cooperated, this project rebooted.
During the time up to now, we have update as follows.
        1st,  the GB start date had been delayed to 15 July, 2021(No more delay this time).
        2nd, two more members of Z40 family will join the GB on 15 July, Sky blue and Pink, both ceramic coating.
        3rd, a new IC Form is online
       
 
Title: Re: [IC] QUARKeys Z40 low profile keyboard, 40% Plank, full kit
Post by: tommyamoszhao on Sat, 10 July 2021, 06:02:20
New version of PCB build from scratch. Updated with new switch options(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/72b918_9f90dc1cbc864aaaac16a508817a56f8~mv2.png), further informaition, please join the discord (https://discord.gg/znB8uCymK5)