geekhack

geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: Jrodna on Mon, 19 July 2021, 06:16:56

Title: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Mon, 19 July 2021, 06:16:56
[attach=1]
Orthocode
A through-hole, ergonomic keyboard.


IC FORM (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdtw_7hBxcooSlh2AltUZB1I6jc-BNkUu0KcgdgwU-zMqHkGg/viewform?usp=sf_link)


Prototype Photos
[attach=2][attach=3][attach=4][attach=5][attach=6]


Design Goals
Orthocode was designed with these key design goals

Through hole components
Standard keycap set compatibility
Ergonomic thumb clusters
Layout easily compatible with standard layouts for games


Details
QMK Compatible PCB
Aluminium plate
Rotary encoder
Plate mounted design
PCB supports tray mounting
Pinout for addressable RGB underglow


Additional Info
Price: TBD
Target Pricing: $140 USD (Order size depending)


Options
Case colours will be chosen based on demand, please state your preference in the IC Form!


Layout
[attach=7]


This is my first project with an interest check or group buy so any advice or critisim is welcome!

Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: $W4GK!NG on Mon, 19 July 2021, 06:26:13
MAN I LOVE GAMING
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Mon, 19 July 2021, 06:31:07
Gamers rise up
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: $W4GK!NG on Mon, 19 July 2021, 06:36:34
on a serious note, is it possible to provide a "target pricing" even if it's not the actual price, since you already have a prototype you should know the ballpark of the price the actual unit will be at right?
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Darth_munkee on Mon, 19 July 2021, 06:44:35
Looks interesting. And I agree that a target price would be nice to see.
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Mon, 19 July 2021, 06:45:06
Gonna be real, I've been dreading figuring out exactly how much I spent on the prototypes. Obviously the final run cost will be less. I'll update the post in a bit.
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: psxndc on Mon, 19 July 2021, 10:59:19
Oh this looks nice. I'm in.
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Minahctrl on Mon, 19 July 2021, 12:27:24
looks real unique
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: nevin on Mon, 19 July 2021, 13:47:35
Wonderful to see some ergo stuff in IC!

Wish you the best with this IC/GB!
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Weebito on Mon, 19 July 2021, 15:53:26
Looks really nice!
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: riterdando on Tue, 20 July 2021, 14:35:39
I like it
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Extra Fox on Tue, 20 July 2021, 16:31:26
Huge props for showing you're prototype. I absolutely and unironically love seeing that.  :cool:
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Tue, 03 August 2021, 01:58:49
Hi Everyone here's the first big update


First of all I will be shipping out the kits from New Zealand and global pricing will be calculated based on the price in NZD converted.
Now some of the results from the IC.

Results from the knob question:
[attach=1]
You guys mostly asked for knobs so the kit will include a knob, I am currently looking at this knob since they have enough stock to supply.
[attach=2]
I have one on the way so I can confirm that it is compatible but I am confident it will be.

Results from the acrylic colour question:
[attach=3]
Top responses were:
Frosted                  30
Clear                     15
Black                     12
Dark Grey Tint        6
Green                     6
So I will be offering these as the colour options.
Results from the plate design question:
[attach=4]

Very even split here so there will be an option on the group buy to choose between the two designs pictured below.
[attach=5]
[attach=6]

Results from the diodes and processor cover question:
[attach=7]
Large portion asking for a cover so one will be provided in the kit. It will be made from the leftover portion from your case so it will be the same colour as your case.

Results from the keycaps question:
[attach=8]
Large majority said yes, so I have contacted Signature Plastics to provide keycaps and the colour options will be on the group buy.

Price and lead time:
My target pricing of 200 NZD or 140 USD was optimistic but I have come close. It works out at around 210 NZD or 145 USD before tax which I had neglected to include in my estimate, sorry about that everyone.
So the price will be $240 NZD which is ~$167.90 USD.
Lead time on production I expect to be around 8-9 weeks to have everything made and sent to me to begin packaging and shipping out. The keycaps have a lead time of 8 weeks on their own so I expect that to be the longest item to be made.
I would expect the kits to start shipping out over the next week or two after that so the expected


PCB and plate only options:
A couple people asked if they could just be provided the pcb and components with some people asking for the plate as well.
The PCB and components will be $85 NZD or $59.43 USD and the Plate another $75 NZD or 52.44 USD.

Design files:
I will be providing all the design files on my github https://github.com/Jrodna/OrthoCode
The board has been fully merged into the qmk main repository now, so if you want you can start looking at layouts on the configurator at https://config.qmk.fm/#/. One issue I see already is that you can't set the function of the encoder using the configurator, you instead need to use a code editor to do it in qmk.
If you are interested, have a look at the qmk docs https://beta.docs.qmk.fm/tutorial/newbs_getting_started to learn how to set up your environment to create more custom layouts.

RGB:
I know it was not clear initially but there is a pinout for addressable rgb on the underside of the pcb. It is compatible with all the addressable rgb strips that qmk supports.
It just did not show well at all in the photos.

What's left?
I am still figuring out shipping to see if I can get a flat rate or if I need to calculate it at checkout or something.
Lastly, I need to set up a way of actually paying for it, I am currently planning on making a shopify store but I am open to suggestions since I have never run one of these before.


Thanks everyone,
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: hottrout on Tue, 03 August 2021, 03:22:17
An unusual layout but you have something for gaming that might just be unique.  QMK is good and I like you goal of keeping the cost down to get the design alive.  I would support this and will follow with interest.
Title: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: psxndc on Tue, 03 August 2021, 10:30:37
Design Question: Many ortho boards have ENTER below the ‘ key. Why not have a key to the right of the ? key? Just to really get that separation for the arrow cluster?

I’m still interested, but it’s going to take some work to retrain myself that ENTER is to the right of ‘ and not below it.

This looks very cool and I’ll be following it.
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Tue, 03 August 2021, 12:38:09
The reason I don't have a key to the right of '?' Is actually a simple one. One of the main design goals was to create a board that only used standard key sizes, I know short shifts exists but if you want to save money and use a cheap keycap set they are often not included. So while keeping the arrow keys I had to for go the right shift. Not to mention that along with a 2.75u space the long shift makes an excellent thumb key.
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: psxndc on Tue, 03 August 2021, 15:49:57
That makes total sense. Thanks.
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Wed, 11 August 2021, 03:02:22
Hello again everyone!
I'm back with the second update and some exciting news.

First off the new knob arrived and I have confirmed it fits on the encoder. It attaches with a small 2mm allen grub screw to the shaft of the encoder.
[attach=1]

Second I have organised shipping rates and added them to the online store so you will be able to see them for checkout.

Finally and most importantly the Group Buy is now live!!!
Head over to orthocodekb.com (http://orthocodekb.com) to order yours.
I will be running the group buy phase for just over 2 weeks, for the benefit of all the supporters overseas I will base the end time on American central time but have it converted to NZ time as well.

GROUP BUY ENDS:
29th of August at Midnight CST
30th of August at 5pm NZT

If you have any questions or feedback please let me know using the google form linked below.
https://forms.gle/GcXpzxzRBL5xrX93A
 (https://forms.gle/GcXpzxzRBL5xrX93A)
Thanks everyone and I look forward to getting everything into production
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Wed, 11 August 2021, 03:03:19
Also I am sorry about this but I have noticed the rule that accounts have to have at least 25 posts to create a group buy thread so I will be getting to that limit here.
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Wed, 11 August 2021, 03:05:25
Please Enjoy the following photos of my prototype

The plate is the More Cutouts variant, and the case is a one off wooden layer and Clear acrylic for the base
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Wed, 11 August 2021, 03:06:47
[attach=1]
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Wed, 11 August 2021, 03:07:15
[attach=1]
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Wed, 11 August 2021, 03:08:07
[attach=1]
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Wed, 11 August 2021, 03:08:45
[attach=1]
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Wed, 11 August 2021, 03:09:19
[attach=1]
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Wed, 11 August 2021, 03:10:53
For those interested design files are on my github https://github.com/Jrodna/OrthoCode (https://github.com/Jrodna/OrthoCode)
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: mr4kino on Wed, 11 August 2021, 03:31:47
Hey Jrodna,

Do you have any renders/images for the different color options available for the group buy? Same with the keycaps?
Also will the final cutout be of a higher quality than what you are showing us in your prototype?

BR
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Wed, 11 August 2021, 03:41:19
Sorry no images for the different coloured acrylic, the supplier does not give any real photos just a colour description. For the keycaps, yes they are pictured on the shopify page and are signature plastics ones so using their colour examples. I'm away from my pc at the moment but I can post the images here in 30 mins or so.

The quality should be better for the aluminium especially, it will be finished using an orbital sander at high grit by the manufacturer so none of that black gunk around the edges.

Let me know if you have other questions
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Wed, 11 August 2021, 04:41:22
These are the keycap colour samples:

Black PBT as NEM | Grey PBT as GTW
[attachimg=1]

White PBT as WFJ
[attachimg=2]

Green PBT as VCR
[attachimg=3]
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Wed, 11 August 2021, 04:47:35
Here is the best that the supplier will give me for the acrylic.

From the clear I'll be using the 4.5mm clear, black, green tint and dark grey tint
From the frosted I'll be using crystal 6mm and 3mm

These are the clear colours
[attach=1]

These are the frosted colours
[attach=2]
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Wed, 11 August 2021, 05:19:19
I have a photo of another prototype here where I polished the plate so that should give a better idea of the finished product.
[attach=1]
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Thu, 12 August 2021, 05:50:27
Group buy thread is currenty awaiting moderator approval, once it is approved a link will be posted here.
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: mr4kino on Thu, 12 August 2021, 05:57:19
Quote from: Jrodna on Wed, 11 August 2021, 03:07:15
(Attachment Link)

Hey mate, just to understand in this picture, we can see the led light from the bottom. Which case this would be in the GB? Frosted one?
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Thu, 12 August 2021, 06:00:39
Its a one off wooden case with a clear acrylic bottom layer, frosted would transmit the light better i think.
Ill go up and specify which case it is in the posts too.
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Thu, 12 August 2021, 06:06:48
I have also taken some more photos of the prototype with the case much more similar to whats on offer in GB
[attach=1]
[attach=2]
[attach=3]

This is almost exactly what the clear case will look like for GB, main difference being that now the plate will cover the top edges of the case more completely.
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: nevin on Thu, 12 August 2021, 07:26:03
really like that the lights are just down the center, should be a really smooth diffused glow. (shouldn't look as segmented as most underglow when the LEDs are around the outside edge)
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Thu, 12 August 2021, 13:52:10
Well the thing is I just added Pinout for an rgb strip, it's really up to you to decide if you want that in the middle or on the edge or maybe alone the side of the case facing inward.
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: nevin on Thu, 12 August 2021, 13:57:47
oh, that's right, you did say that and i see that is is a strip now. didn't click on it before to see full size.
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Fri, 13 August 2021, 06:20:45
Just got the time to make a quick sound test for those interested.
Video here: https://youtu.be/ZMxaZsce7TQ (https://youtu.be/ZMxaZsce7TQ)
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: lush_bunny on Sat, 14 August 2021, 07:52:07
I am oddly drawn to this.
Title: Re: [IC] Orthocode | 70% ergo / gaming | Keyboard Kit w/ Encoder
Post by: Jrodna on Sun, 15 August 2021, 17:24:15
Group buy post is live
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=114159 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=114159)

Store at:
orthocodekb.com (http://orthocodekb.com)