Tripel - Ortholinear 60% keyboard PCB

[peej]

Hi all, I wanted to share a project I've been working on for a while.

Introducing Tripel, a DIY 7u 15 column ortholinear PCB for 60% tray mount cases.



I'm a day to day ortho user, but when stepping up from the 40% Planck to something 60% in size, keeping the full grid just looks ugly and feels wrong to me, way too many keys. So I wanted to design an ortho PCB similar to the XD75 but which has mounting holes for 7u spacebar stabilisers.

I also wanted it to be cheap and to only require through hole soldering since I don't have the equipment or patience for SMD and there's no fun in having components pre-soldered. So taking inspiration from the 40PercentClub Nori and 4x4, I thought it'd be possible to build a 60% PCB from 3 sub-100x100mm PCBs fixed together.



After 5 prototypes, I think I finally have something that I'm happy with.

My biggest concern was whether there would be space for the Pro Micro inside the case, I've tested it with both the Tofu and Tina-C and there is plenty of room as long as you affix the Pro Micro to the PCB that is over the void within the case.

Also, since this is to fit standard tray mount cases, the PCB is the thing holding the keyboard assembly to the case, so I was worried that the 3 boards tacked together with solder wouldn't be strong enough, but with the plate in place adding rigidity, the assembly is just as strong as any single 60% PCB + plate assembly.



For more information, everything is available on Github https://github.com/peej/tripel-keyboard.

[nevin]

very nice! after going to a large (5x14) split ortho well over a year ago, if i had to use a 60% at the office or for travel convenience, this is what i'd go for.

great idea for using the smaller PCB size for cost and making it so it can be easily connected/modular.

individually, these would be great for macro pads, or extended numberpads too.

[4sStylZ]

It’s very cool. I Have a XD75 and want a 3 way split space bar and bigger modifiers so it can be a very nice PCB.
No plan to make a a Alps variation ? I have many AEK / ASK caps and switchs.

[peej]

It'd be pretty easy to swap the MX switch footprints out for Alps versions. There might be a few places where you'd have to juggle things around a little due to the limited space in some places.

[nevin]

check out keeb.io's alps/mx footprints, one footprint for both types of switches. (i'm sure others have it as well, but i know he they have available on on git) https://github.com/keebio/Keebio-Parts.pretty