Calla
(https://i.imgur.com/6bJNYpt.jpg)
Directory:
- Divinikey's Calla Group Buy page (https://divinikey.com/products/_bvn-calla-tkl-keyboard-kit)
- Discord server (https://discord.gg/yNUPenF59g)
Pre-GB Feedback Form (https://forms.gle/p5hGo5z93wDsTeP98) Closed!- geekhack IC Thread (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=115887.0)
- Full V3 Prototype album (https://imgur.com/a/jyDtarQ)
- V3 Prototype Sound Test (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdletNKIbU4&ab_channel=bevinkbd)
Group buy details:
- GB window opens on July 17th 11 AM Pacific
- GB ends on July 31st 11 PM Pacific
- Estimated ETA is around Q1 2024 (6-8 month lead time)
- Vendor: Divinikey
- Kit Options: Solder Hybrid-MX, Hotswap MX, or EC Topre
- Format: FCFS through Divinikey's storefront
- Hard limit: 150 kits
- Solder MX Kit Cost: $450
- Hotswap MX Kit Cost: $455
- EC Topre Kit* Cost: $480
*If you are interested in purchasing a Topre kit or Topre extras, please consult the build guide (https://www.notion.so/bevinkbd/Electrocapacitive-Calla-Build-Guide-7cdd1d5f9c234ade99a19b3771c077a3) first
As for the group buy format, there will be a product page listed on Divinikey's storefront (https://divinikey.com/products/_bvn-calla-tkl-keyboard-kit) in which you will be able to customize your kit, order extras, and pay for your order. Furthermore, order fulfillment will be handled through Divinikey, for more information regarding their shipping policies, see here (https://divinikey.com/pages/shipping-handling).
Kitting Information:
- Top and Bottom Case
- Exterior weight
- Interior weight
- Mounting Plate (Full MX Aluminum/Polypropylene or Full Topre StS* based on selected kit)
- PCB (Solder, Hotswap, or Electrocapacitive depending on selected kit)
- Carrying Case
- Hardware Kit
- 8 x M3 6mm 18-8 StS Socket Head Case screws (91292A111)
- 4 x M3 4mm 18-8 StS Hex Drive Flat Head Weight Screws (92125A127)
- 7 x M2.5 5mm 18-8 StS Socket Head Plate Screws (91292A009)
- 4 x M2 3mm Zinc-plated Daughterboard Screws (91460A021)
- 1 x Gummy O-ring (50A)
- 4 x Bumpons (SJ5302)
- 1 x 100 mm JST connector
- 1 x Universal Daughterboard
*StS plate comes with appropriate mounting screws (91200A104) for Topre builds
(https://i.imgur.com/kyC6amd.jpg)
Compatible Configurations:
More
(https://i.imgur.com/WSodYjY.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/p42uhXx.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/YZoVXMD.png)
*The Electrocapacitive PCB supports split backspace, split right shift, and stepped caps-lock. However, the plate offered in the group-buy only supports the depicted configuration.
Miscellaneous Information:
- Layout: F13 WKL TKL
- Switch Spacing: 18.9 mm
- MX Mounting: Top mount or gummy O-ring gasket mount
- EC Mounting: Top mount only
- Typing Angle: 5.5 degrees
- Height: 21.9 mm effective keyboard height / 17.9 mm front face height (w/o bumpers)
- Weight: ~4.0 lbs/1810 grams built
- Top engraving: Calla lily
- PCB Firmware: QMK w/ VIAL enabled
- PCB Thickness: 1.6 mm
- PCB Material: FR4
- Connector: USB Type-C
- Daughterboard: Universal Daughterboard
- Case Material: 6063 Aluminum
- Internal Weight Material: Brass
- External Weight Material: Stainless Steel
- MX Kit Plate Material: 5052 Aluminum or Polypropylene
- EC Kit Plate Material: Stainless Steel
Extras:
- Solder MX/Alp Hybrid PCB (+$35)
- Hotswap MX PCB (+$40)
- Electrocapacitive PCB (+$50)
- Aluminum MX Full Plate (+$40)
- Polypropylene MX Full Plate (+$40)
- Stainless Steel Topre Full Plate (+$55)
- Hardware Kit + PE PCB Foam* (+$20)
*There will be different durometer O-rings to select as part of the hardware kit. The hardware kit that comes with each board will have a 50A durometer ring by default.
(https://i.imgur.com/cEO7DZ8.jpg)
Build Stream:
A silver unit is going to be built by TaehaTypes on his Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/taehatypes) at July 12th 1PM Pacific! The planned build is Cherry MX Blacks on a polypropylene plate so come through if you are interested!
Build stream has been finished! Full vod is available here (https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1870217690)
Below are some clips I've made of relevant events:
Gateron Ink Blacks + Alu Plate:- O-ring/Top Mount (https://clips.twitch.tv/RockyInventiveYamPeteZarollTie-cCM5a36znlOM5IIW)
- O-ring only (https://clips.twitch.tv/StylishSarcasticSheepTinyFace-lMpc18UUvC52QyPx)
- Top Mount only (https://clips.twitch.tv/EndearingMoralOwlSuperVinlin-DfjuCgRec3HYjwFk)
Cherry MX Blacks + PP Plate- O-ring/Top Mount (https://clips.twitch.tv/InnocentKnottyFlamingoJebaited-jRsLCmSKb6KZiBq8)
- O-ring only (https://clips.twitch.tv/MuddyInventiveLlamaNononoCat-x8c413WjVJfXmG1q)
- Top Mount only (https://clips.twitch.tv/SingleAmazonianCurlewPeteZaroll-tSjMUjyMnwYh5oGr)
Misc:- Taenut (https://clips.twitch.tv/OnerousTawdryBeePJSalt-i2TtvCLVJbOWd8Zg)
Pre-GB Interest Check Form:
Due to the length of time between original interest check and now, I wanted to collect some last minute feedback on the planned group-buy format and structure as well as guage the current interest in the project. Furthermore, with recent events in group-buy fulfillment, I do not want to start a group-buy without confidence that MOQ can be met without vendor help. The form also has the option to "reserve" a group-buy kit, which will send you an invoice that will be active through the entirety of the first day of the group-buy. The form will be open until July 14th, 2 PM Pacific.
Estimated Fulfillment Timeline:
- Group buy (ongoing): here!
- Processing orders (1 week):
- Ordering from manufacturers (1 week):
- Waiting for production (6 months):
- Receiving inventory (1 month):
- Packing and quality control (2 weeks):
- Delivery (2 weeks):
All in all, we're aiming for a turnaround time of around 6-8 months (mid-late Q1 2023). Of course, delays are inevitable but I will do my best to maintain a clear line of communication throughout the fulfillment process.
Update Process:
After the group buy window ends, there will be bi-weekly updates on both discord and this Geekhack thread outlining the fulfillment progress. I plan on having separate timelines for each part, so that it will be easier to visualize the fulfillment process at each stage. Even if there was no change since the last update, I will still relay that information in a new update post.
(https://i.imgur.com/l28R8dm.jpg)
Open Source Parts:
Everything except for the case files will be open-sourced following Group Buy completion. This includes plate files, firmware, PCB files, weight files, and anything else that could be helpful. If there are any modifications you would like made to an existing file, (such as making a split backspace and split right shift Topre plate) feel free to reach out to me and I would love to help.
Compiled Q&A Section:
More
Question: What stabilizers are compatible with the StS Topre plate?
Answer: Compatible with both Costar and Cherry plate mount. Still attempting to source compatible plate mount wires from deskeys but have not heard much from them.
Afterword:
Despite the challenges in finding a suitable manufacturer, I was able to use the additional time to further improve Calla. Most notably were the development of a new electrocapacitive PCB for Calla (made possible with the open-source projects of Cipulot and the sanity checking by Langer), a lower $450 base price, and collaborating with the exceptional crew at Divinikey, who will serve as the vendor for the group buy. It was an absolute journey to get here and I just want to say: thank you for your support, take care, and have a wonderful day.