geekhack
geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: Mechboards on Fri, 18 August 2017, 06:09:00
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Hello all!
I find it impressively annoying when people ask if a certain PCB or certain plate allows for a particular layout.
I thought it would be so much easier if they could design their perfect keyboard easily - but usually that costs a lot for a one-off.
So I thought of the below idea. It uses pin rows to locate the small PCB pieces, which connect with metal contacts on top and bottom edges to allow the circuit to complete. you can have any layout you want - ortho, 6.25u, 7u, 9u, split, ISO, ANSI - anything.
What is missing from this image is PCB blockers/spacers to fill the spaces. Top row pieces will be different to allow horizontal traces to controller on separate board.
This is very similar to the enabler from techkeys but hopefully without hand wiring.
This is all IDEAS - I have no clue if this actually works - hence posting it here!
[attachimg=1]
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Very interesting idea - a slight variation compared to others before who have considered having complete "row" PCBs; where you mix and match each row to get to your desired layout (hard part was always the 1+u vertical keys).
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Neat idea, seems similar to a number of other one-key PCB designs, e.g. https://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/another-single-switch-circuit-board-t11420.html (https://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/another-single-switch-circuit-board-t11420.html). If you search for single-key pcbs here and on other forums you might get some good ideas for the practicality of it.
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Something along the lines of the Sane matrix (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=78059.0)?
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SparkFun has 3/4" × 3/4" a one-switch PCB (https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/cherry-mx-switch-breakout-hookup-guide) which has multiple soldering holes at the top and bottom edges that you can align to get 0.5u and 0.25u key staggering as well as ortholinear.
They do fall short however for keys that are a modulo of 0.25 keys wide, such as for instance a 1.75 Caps Lock key.
Because the switch needs to be in the centre of those keys, they would need to be placed at modulo 0.125 offset which is not supported.
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Something along the lines of the Sane matrix (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=78059.0)?
Rather the Insane Matrix =D One of these days that thing is going to actually be made...
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=38414.msg751840#msg751840
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Something along the lines of the Sane matrix (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=78059.0)?
Rather the Insane Matrix =D One of these days that thing is going to actually be made...
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=38414.msg751840#msg751840
Good Lord.