geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: swi7z3r on Sat, 02 June 2012, 15:27:00

Title: Realistic assessment of prototyping an aluminum case for 87U?
Post by: swi7z3r on Sat, 02 June 2012, 15:27:00

Assuming I'm willing and capable of getting all the measurements into a vetted CAD file to take down to my local metal sliceary.  What sort of cost should I expect to have them sell me, and then cut and bend two halves of suitable sheet aluminum?

I figured the cheapest design would be just a CNC cutout on two flat sheets, then roll the top and bottom edges to meet.  The east and west openings would then be fitted with two 'plugs' after final fit (also a great place to add some external USBs).  For mounting i'd shim up lower internal supports for the board from scraps, then fuse them with some type of chemical bonder.  A bit of countersinking, some fine machine screws, and some rubber grometing and we're in business.

Anyone have experience doing this? Any pitfalls you'd like to re-state?  Thanks in advance.

EDIT: sorry, i locked the thread like a chump. All better now.

for an idea of what I'm after check out this video:

[video=youtube;hb7P4JDn7Es]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb7P4JDn7Es[/video]

Title: Realistic assessment of prototyping an aluminum case for 87U?
Post by: tsangan on Sun, 03 June 2012, 11:39:38

So you're after this case?

(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6114/6884094342_bd0e229025_b.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8014/7193223326_8640e38505_b.jpg)

Title: Realistic assessment of prototyping an aluminum case for 87U?
Post by: dorkvader on Sun, 03 June 2012, 13:27:55

If you're cutting all the way through the sheet, it might be cheaper to get it water-cut instead of CNC.

Title: Realistic assessment of prototyping an aluminum case for 87U?
Post by: swi7z3r on Sun, 03 June 2012, 17:01:51

Quote from: tsangan;606698

So you're after this case?

Show Image

(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6114/6884094342_bd0e229025_b.jpg)

Show Image

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8014/7193223326_8640e38505_b.jpg)

GAH!!!!!  /WANT!!

How, Where?

Title: Realistic assessment of prototyping an aluminum case for 87U?
Post by: funxion on Sun, 03 June 2012, 17:11:30

Ew...that looks gross. I can't stand the extended wrist platform and the extra space at the top and sides...

Title: Realistic assessment of prototyping an aluminum case for 87U?
Post by: Gawkbasher on Sun, 03 June 2012, 17:14:47

Group buy version plox.

Top face MUST have a Laser-cut Realforce logo in the metal. ;)  (Realizing that's probably not legal. :()

Title: Realistic assessment of prototyping an aluminum case for 87U?
Post by: mkawa on Sun, 03 June 2012, 23:14:43

Quote from: swi7z3r;606847

GAH!!!!!  /WANT!!

How, Where?

taobao. ping our girl lin of en-taobao or qtan apparently.

Title: Realistic assessment of prototyping an aluminum case for 87U?
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 04 June 2012, 12:43:52

I hate that taobao case. Would def be interested in a normal size case though.

Title: Realistic assessment of prototyping an aluminum case for 87U?
Post by: Enki on Mon, 04 June 2012, 13:25:33

I'm curious, how much does this sort of one-off thing tend to cost?