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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: plainbriny on Mon, 23 May 2016, 18:31:53

Title: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: plainbriny on Mon, 23 May 2016, 18:31:53
As already mentioned in the ALPS appreciation thread, i-rocks is working on their own switches.

https://uccu.cool3c.com/projects/266

This is a Chinese page, but there are many figures and videos.

They have made 4 types of switches:
[attachimg=2]

I am interested in their light linear switch (詭軸).
I don't know how to translate the name: strange? weird? unpredictable?
This is an ultra light switch less than 30g.
[attachimg=1]

They should reveal their products in the next couple days.
Title: Re: i-rocks is worksing on their own ALPS compatible switches
Post by: alexjd99 on Mon, 23 May 2016, 18:51:55
Looks interesting, but I think they're MX Compatible "alps" switches.

If that's the case I hope they'll have the switches alone, I'd love to make a custom build with these ;D
Title: Re: i-rocks is worksing on their own ALPS compatible switches
Post by: chyros on Mon, 23 May 2016, 18:59:09
They're very different in construction to Alps switches, but they're intriguing nonetheless. If I can buy a few loose ones I'll happily get a few to try them out :) .
Title: Re: i-rocks is worksing on their own ALPS compatible switches
Post by: jacobolus on Mon, 23 May 2016, 19:15:03
Can you change the title here? There’s nothing “Alps compatible” about these. They don’t have a single Alps-interchangecable part, they don’t work with Alps keycaps, plates, or PCBs.

Maybe “Alps-inspired MX-compatible switches”, if you want to push it.
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: plainbriny on Mon, 23 May 2016, 19:33:25
Title changed as suggested.

However I think the word "compatible" here refers to different aspects:
Key cap compatibility and pin/form factor compatibility.

I believe their PCB pin connection and form factor is not compatible with MX.
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: QuincyJones on Mon, 23 May 2016, 19:37:27
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=https%3A%2F%2Fuccu.cool3c.com%2Fprojects%2F266&edit-text=&act=url

You're welcome!
Title: Re: i-rocks is worksing on their own ALPS compatible switches
Post by: supamesican on Mon, 23 May 2016, 20:18:10
Quote from: alexjd99 on Mon, 23 May 2016, 18:51:55
Looks interesting, but I think they're MX Compatible "alps" switches.



I want to try them so bad
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: jacobolus on Mon, 23 May 2016, 20:18:21
“OMG, peanut provincial magic, feel this change is amazing .......”
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: plainbriny on Mon, 23 May 2016, 20:25:11
Actually I was thinking whether their switches will work with infinity ergodox, because I can't type on regular keyboards efficiently now.

But it seems there's no plan to release individual key switches any time soon, it will be long before we ever know the answer.
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: jacobolus on Mon, 23 May 2016, 20:31:15
Clicky switch seems promising. The tactile switch looks a bit too MX-brown-like (even with the higher-in-the-stroke actuation point) for my taste.

(http://i.imgur.com/urBGcGA.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Qr9EFVc.jpg)
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: plainbriny on Tue, 24 May 2016, 07:43:57
They have updated the above page and released what the keyboard look like....

[attachimg=1]

So that's why they call this keyboard 'fun'
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: saxophone on Tue, 24 May 2016, 07:50:53
Total travel 4mm

Nyeh
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: MOZ on Tue, 24 May 2016, 07:55:08
Switches do look interesting. Hopefully they become available individually in the future.
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: FoxWolf1 on Tue, 24 May 2016, 08:29:57
Quote from: plainbriny on Tue, 24 May 2016, 07:43:57
They have updated the above page and released what the keyboard look like....

(Attachment Link)

So that's why they call this keyboard 'fun'

*shrug* I like it.

And before the minimalists get all upset, it's worth noting that you could put a normal upper layer on it if you wanted:
(https://media.cool3c.com/files/media/0/i/m/g/1/4/0img_14.jpg)
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: MOZ on Tue, 24 May 2016, 10:17:34
Switchable top layer is a fresh concept.
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: xtrafrood on Tue, 24 May 2016, 10:27:11
Appears to have a standard bottom row, that was a smart move imo
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: Data on Tue, 24 May 2016, 11:41:54
Quote from: plainbriny on Tue, 24 May 2016, 07:43:57
They have updated the above page and released what the keyboard look like....

(Attachment Link)

So that's why they call this keyboard 'fun'

(http://i.imgur.com/beHN9vm.gif)
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: Lepidus on Tue, 24 May 2016, 11:47:38
That actually looks pretty nice.

I wonder if the switches are plate compatible with cherry or alps. The switch "feet" also seem a little bit different from cherry and alps, hope they are compatible with any already avalible PCB.
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: Data on Tue, 24 May 2016, 12:00:30
Just eyeballing it from the drawings, it looks like they have similar pin placement to ALPS but they also have the classic Cherry center mount stem.

i-rocks
(http://i.imgur.com/mYlNgzu.jpg)

Alps SKCL SKBM
(http://i.imgur.com/ZZyF24A.jpg)

I liked this image especially.  Their o-ring method is pretty creative.
(http://i.imgur.com/v8hA0bA.jpg)
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: MOZ on Tue, 24 May 2016, 12:51:31
Perfectly designed to go with the MX-Alps boards we are seeing more often now; MX mount, centre stem and RGB LED pin holes, Alps style mounting and hopefully similar clicky switches.
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: KRKS on Tue, 24 May 2016, 14:18:31
Quote from: saxophone on Tue, 24 May 2016, 07:50:53
Total travel 4mm

Nyeh

Yeah, pretty much. Although they still could turn out to feel good, especially the "seeing mouth standing on sun" ones. ;-P
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: plainbriny on Tue, 24 May 2016, 17:37:56
Quote from: KRKS on Tue, 24 May 2016, 14:18:31
Yeah, pretty much. Although they still could turn out to feel good, especially the "seeing mouth standing on sun" ones. ;-P

It take me several minutes to figure out that "seeing mouth standing on sun" refers to the blue "韻" version... I think "rhythm" could be a plausible translation for that word.

Quote from: MOZ on Tue, 24 May 2016, 12:51:31
Perfectly designed to go with the MX-Alps boards we are seeing more often now; MX mount, centre stem and RGB LED pin holes, Alps style mounting and hopefully similar clicky switches.

So it should work with infinity ergodox... Wondering whether they would release the individual switches eventually?
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 24 May 2016, 19:04:19
Hrrrrm..... Ok.. so advantage orings..

Good stuff, good stuff...

Hrrrmm... If we got these switches and 1.5mm actuation.. that would make my day.
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 24 May 2016, 19:05:14
is this plate mountable ?
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: xtrafrood on Tue, 24 May 2016, 19:23:27
Quote from: Data on Tue, 24 May 2016, 12:00:30
Just eyeballing it from the drawings, it looks like they have similar pin placement to ALPS but they also have the classic Cherry center mount stem.

i-rocks
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/mYlNgzu.jpg)


Alps SKCL SKBM
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/ZZyF24A.jpg)


I liked this image especially.  Their o-ring method is pretty creative.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/v8hA0bA.jpg)


Quote from: tp4tissue on Tue, 24 May 2016, 19:05:14
is this plate mountable ?

Yea, from the looks of the diagram there's a little tab or hook that's meant to clip into the plate. It's near the "Mountion Panel"

Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: Data on Tue, 24 May 2016, 20:41:24
Quote from: csmertx on Tue, 24 May 2016, 19:23:27
Quote from: Data on Tue, 24 May 2016, 12:00:30
Just eyeballing it from the drawings, it looks like they have similar pin placement to ALPS but they also have the classic Cherry center mount stem.

i-rocks
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/mYlNgzu.jpg)


Alps SKCL SKBM
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/ZZyF24A.jpg)


I liked this image especially.  Their o-ring method is pretty creative.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/v8hA0bA.jpg)


Quote from: tp4tissue on Tue, 24 May 2016, 19:05:14
is this plate mountable ?

Yea, from the looks of the diagram there's a little tab or hook that's meant to clip into the plate. It's near the "Mountion Panel"

Yes, the elusive Mountion Panel.  I think this might be an industry first.
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: jacobolus on Wed, 25 May 2016, 05:06:29
Quote from: MOZ on Tue, 24 May 2016, 12:51:31
Perfectly designed to go with the MX-Alps boards we are seeing more often now; MX mount, centre stem and RGB LED pin holes, Alps style mounting and hopefully similar clicky switches.
Quote from: plainbriny on Tue, 24 May 2016, 17:37:56
So it should work with infinity ergodox... Wondering whether they would release the individual switches eventually?
Pretty clearly needs its own mounting plate, not compatible with either MX or Alps. Also, with the LED leads sticking down and silly MX-style plastic stem, it looks like it’ll need its own PCB.
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: jacobolus on Wed, 25 May 2016, 05:08:53
Quote from: tp4tissue on Tue, 24 May 2016, 19:04:19
Hrrrmm... If we got these switches and 1.5mm actuation.. that would make my day.
Actuation point is apparently about 1.9mm. But the tactile drop comes at ~1.3–1.8mm on the MX-brown-ish quiet tactile switch. I doubt you can too easily get past the tactile point without actuating the switch, unless you deliberately try.
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: MOZ on Wed, 25 May 2016, 06:05:51
Quote from: jacobolus on Wed, 25 May 2016, 05:06:29
Pretty clearly needs its own mounting plate, not compatible with either MX or Alps. Also, with the LED leads sticking down and silly MX-style plastic stem, it looks like it’ll need its own PCB.
Yeah, plate looks to be slightly different, 15.4x13.3, not sure about their tolerances, it might just fit in to the hybrid MX+Alps switch holes. About the LED leads, I'd imagine the design would be so they are easy enough to remove, making them usable with PCBs having MX+Alps support. Lots of speculation.
Title: Re: i-rocks is working on their own switches
Post by: plainbriny on Wed, 25 May 2016, 07:16:07
The 4 pin leds are RGB leds. Single color 2 pin leds should fit with most boards. These leds should be fairly easy to remove from the switches.

I assume they will work with infinity ergodox PCB, because the PCB already have holes for MX stem and 2 pin leds. Of course, the plate/case may not fit, but I think this should be easily fixable.