[IC] Dawn (75% Isolation Mount)

[crykn]

Dawn (75% Isolation Mount)

This board has been in the works for quite a long time, as I've always wanted to design a 75% keyboard. I'm excited to finally be able to post the interest check and get feedback from the community that can hopefully lead to a successful group buy.
If you're interested in the design, read through the interest check, take the survey, and leave some feedback with your opinion and what you want to see in the group buy!

Interest Check Survey: https://forms.gle/17kbC3uWWnvPawC49

Official Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/HXZsgum

By far, the most important step that needs to be taken, aside from gathering feedback, is to find a vendor willing to help run the GB. Once a vendor and manufacturer are selected, a proper price estimate can be made. However, due to the design choices, brass weight and accent, gasketing strips, and potential PVD brass finishes, it is quite possible that the GB price could end up in the $350-450 price range depending on options. Obviously, I will try to keep the price reasonable, but I just wanted to provide a reasonable estimate, which is of course, just an estimate and not necessarily 100% accurate.



I wanted the board design to have a very clean exterior with a relatively simple aesthetic. Inevitably, there are only so many ways to design a rectangle, and the simple aesthetic I've chosen may be considered boring or uninspired by some of you guys, but that's okay since everyone is entitled to an opinion. As such, some of the design choices I made were:

• No visible case side seam
• Rear angle screws hidden by brass accent
• No exterior branding, especially on the top surface (although I'm considering a Founder's Edition of sorts with a special back accent if there is community support)
• Staggered, symmetrical F-row
• Symmetrical 0.75u blockers for WKL case (inspired by Dixie Mech Bauer)

After original plans to design a board with an adaptable mounting system, I decided to go for a more straightforward approach on my first design. My goal was for the design to implement an isolation (or gasket) mount system, and riotonthebay was kind enough to allow me to use the same exact gasket strips that Keycult used on the No 1/60 and 1/65 as well as the No 2. I figured this was the best option for me as a designer, to use a tried and true material, as well as for the consumer, as they would know more or less what to expect from the mounting system. Again, huge thanks to riotonthebay and his partner!







Specifications

• 7 degree typing angle
• 7.5 mm high profile walls
• 12 PORON isolation mounting strips
• M2.5 mounting screws
• Approximately 17.5 mm front bezel height (without bumpons)
• CNC milled aluminum case
• Brass accent and internal weight
• Approximately 2.5 kg
• QMK (and if possible, VIA) compatible PCB to be designed by PheonixStarr
• ai03 USB-C Unified Daughterboard

Kit Options

All of the kit options are summarized in the Interest Check Survey (https://forms.gle/17kbC3uWWnvPawC49)

Layouts

These are the proposed layouts for the Winkeyless (WKL) and Winkey (WK) plates. The layouts are not finalized and feedback or requested improvements will be taken into consideration before they are finalized. Unless there is a large demand for ISO layouts according to the survey, ISO plates are unlikely; however, this will also depend on the vendor and MOQs. Regardless, once the group buy is complete, the plates will be open sourced and an ISO plate file can be provided.

Winkeyless (WKL):



Winkey (WK):




To Do List

• Add acoustic cutouts and flex cuts to plate
• Finalize plate layouts based on feedback
• Decide on branding/engraving
• Commission PCB design
• Optimize design for CNC manufacturing
• Review survey information
• Find a vendor to run the GB
• Order a prototype
• Review survey information
• Start group buy

Updates/Revision History

• Official EU Vendor: mykeyboard.eu
• PCB is in the works by PheonixStarr

Acknowledgements

• riotonthebay/Keycult for answering my many questions and allowing me to use Keycult's mounting system
• PheonixStarr for producing amazing renders, offering helpful feedback, and agreeing to design the PCB
• ai03 for making a great open source USB-C daughterboard
• Florida (Mech)Keys Discord for being an awesome and supportive community <3
• ai03 Design Studio Discord for discussing many design questions and offering advice

[crykn]

More Renders





GMK Hero (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=100443.0)



White on Black (WoB)

[crykn]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the keyboard named Dawn?
I had originally planned a theme for the aesthetic of the board, but over the course of the design I ended up on this simple aesthetic. Despite the change, I liked the name so it stuck.

What's that keyset in the first picture?
This is another project I've been working on and may consider running if there is interest. I know there have been many blue or purple designs recently, but this particular set was inspired by Sasuke from Naruto Shippuden. If licensing wasn't an issue, I would run this set with corresponding novelties. Literally just an experiment, may or may not ever happen but I liked how the renders looked.

Will polycarbonate (PC) be a case option?
Very unlikely. I'm not a fan of polycarbonate as a case material, both for manufacturing difficulty and durability concerns. However, polycarbonate could be a plate material if enough interest is shown.

Will the plate files be open sourced?
Yes, once the group buy (GB) is complete, the plate files will be open sourced. That way, you can make the plate in any alternate material that isn't offered or make whatever modifications you want.

Will ISO support be available?
Unless there is a large demand for ISO layouts according to the survey, ISO plates are unlikely; however, this will also depend on the vendor and MOQs for cost reasons. Regardless, once the group buy is complete, an ISO plate file can be provided with the open sourced plates.

Will there be a hotswap PCB?
No, the only option will be a standard PCB for which you have to solder the switches. If you still want hotswap support, I've heard that mill max sockets are a decent option for adding it. Unfortunately, built-in hotswap sockets complicate the PCB design and they don't really align with the goal of this board, since I'm told they aren't the most durable.

[Abdallah9]

Thaaat's pretty totaly in for it.

[Mr.Elli0t]

Reserved

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

[Starston3]

Nice Bauer bottom row... but no credit seems ummm... something

[mrkantz]

I dig this, nice work!

[Kokaloo]

This is peak 75% layout imo
Looks niiiice excited to see a proto

[crykn]

Thaaat's pretty totaly in for it.

I dig this, nice work!

This is peak 75% layout imo
Looks niiiice excited to see a proto

Thanks for the kind words and support! Glad you guys like the design! Hopefully a prototype will be coming soon.

Nice Bauer bottom row... but no credit seems ummm... something

Although this was in jest, I went ahead and added a tribute to Dixie Mech's Bauer as inspiration for the symmetrical 0.75u WKL blocker out of respect for Dixie.

[lush_bunny]

Sexy. Colors?

[bthezebra]

Really like this design and the renders are well done 

[pixelpusher]

looks like the Bauer and the Polaris had a baby that grew to be bigger than the two of them!  That's not a bad thing, either.  Nice looking board.

[crd]

This is exactly the 75% layout I have always been looking for. It has all of the right design elements: separated, symmetrical, blocked F row as well as the nicely symmetrical blocked bottom row. Yes please. I hope someone picks this up and makes this a reality. Looking forward to seeing more progress on this. Nice work and good luck!

[rondg]

Totally interested

[Lunarpie]

Interested for sure. Nice 75%

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[vicissitude]

interested.
Love the TGR-style bottom.

[jimboytacos]

F...... I'm soooo in.

[PheonixStarr]

bro this keeb's a thickie lemme get sum

[m00t0nz]

Isolation mount is so hot right now. Really liking this! Nice work

[lush_bunny]

IC Filled. Fingers crossed for Dark Navy.
Question: What are the things that would drive down the cost of production for this board? MOQ? One layout for all?
Thanks!

[crykn]

Sexy. Colors?

IC Filled. Fingers crossed for Dark Navy.
Question: What are the things that would drive down the cost of production for this board? MOQ? One layout for all?
Thanks!

The colors are listed in the interest check survey, where you can list your top color choices. The colors that seem to have the most interest will likely have renders made for them and then they would be offered in the group buy. Production cost would definitely be driven most by higher order quantity. I doubt one layout would work, as both WK and WKL have strong support. Sandblasted brass would also likely be a bit cheaper than PVD, so we will see about what everyone is interested in. The best case scenario is just to generate lots of interest in the board so we can do a higher quantity and minimize the cost.

Really like this design and the renders are well done 

Thanks! the renders were made by PheonixStarr, with the exception of a couple that I made myself last minute, and they turned out really well!

looks like the Bauer and the Polaris had a baby that grew to be bigger than the two of them!  That's not a bad thing, either.  Nice looking board.

That is quite an interesting but fairly accurate description. The blockers were inspired by the Bauer, and it's funny that the Polaris had a vaguely similar design, although by the time it was released my design had already been finalized.

[mrpetrov]

I really like this design and am certainly interested. That said - and I know this isn't on the table - but I'd be a definite yes if this had separated arrow keys and right hand column.

[SUB01]

Looking good! I think this is going to be really popular with the people who don't like branding on their keyboards. Although some kind of engraving or design of dawn or something on the back might make this board stand out against other 75%s.

[crykn]

This is exactly the 75% layout I have always been looking for. It has all of the right design elements: separated, symmetrical, blocked F row as well as the nicely symmetrical blocked bottom row. Yes please. I hope someone picks this up and makes this a reality. Looking forward to seeing more progress on this. Nice work and good luck!

Thanks for the kind feedback! Definitely hoping to find the vendor sooner rather than later. Once the vendor and manufacturer are locked in, prototyping can occur.

Totally interested

Interested for sure. Nice 75%

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

F...... I'm soooo in.

Glad to hear it guys! Appreciate the support.

bro this keeb's a thickie lemme get sum

Of course, thanks for the awesome renders and helpful feedback <3

interested.
Love the TGR-style bottom.

Yeah, the TGR bottom shape, among other designs, was definitely an inspiration for the clean aesthetic I was targeting.

Isolation mount is so hot right now. Really liking this! Nice work

Thanks! I really enjoyed Keycult's implementation of isolation mount, so I'm excited to include it in this design!

[crykn]

I really like this design and am certainly interested. That said - and I know this isn't on the table - but I'd be a definite yes if this had separated arrow keys and right hand column.

Hey Mr Petrov, I recognize you from Top Clack! Unfortunately, like you said, the case layout is pretty set, only the plate layouts are likely to change according to feedback, but thanks for the feedback!

Looking good! I think this is going to be really popular with the people who don't like branding on their keyboards. Although some kind of engraving or design of dawn or something on the back might make this board stand out against other 75%s.

That's an interesting suggestion, I'll see if lots of other people request back engravings. I am considering a limited edition version with a certain back weight design I had in mind; however, I don't want to get ahead of myself as I've just barely started the IC phase and want to prototype the standard edition first. I'll have to see what feedback and demand looks like first.

[JerkChicken456]

very sweet board. that first GMK render is a face melter. hope it comes to fruition.

[Solotov]

Holy moly. Definitely in for this one 

[PotatoTM]

Nice and clean, consider me interested!

[cornballin]

My initial thoughts are:
1. A render with GMK Olive would be sweet. I think it would look good on the silver.
2. I also wish a polycarbonate option was available.
3. Regardless of 1 and 2, I'm going to try to get in on this. This is nice.

[vi0till]

Super interested to join..

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[nguyenhimself]

This looks great. A bit simple, but I do enjoy the back view.

Probably a long shot, but: Any chance of split spacebars? Maybe 2.25 + 1.25 + 2.75 (6.25) so that they'd fit inside the Winkey spacebar and you don't have to change any mod keys. You wouldn't even need to change the plate.

Something like this:

[FinalEleven]

Wow, I am extremely interested in this keyboard...I don't have a 75% yet so this would be a pretty cool addition to my collection. Would there be any color options for the case?

I'm also extremely interested in that Keycap render in the first pic haha. You can probably make novelties that references the source material if anything.

[Hell-es]

Wow - very nice - i think there is no chance for a hotswap pcb ?


Hope pricing is known alongside 7V - definatelly want a 75 keyb - but now its hard to decide which one

[Nightcrawler]

Looking like a clean and simple keyboard! I'm in if price is reasonable. 

[JSaintS]

Hopefully the price sits in my confort zone after shipping I really like the WK version!

[Surefoot]

Looking good, i'd get one with an ISO plate.

[Chaselicious17]

This has me super interested

[Robotical]

Looking great! Can't wait to see more! 

[generic_frog]

this looks great and I am crossing my fingers hard I get my hands on this. GL!

[dannyny]

In for one.

[synchromatik]

Staggered, symmetrical F-row on 75%
YES, please.

[_rubik]

Very clean! Interested for sure.

For reference, what sized space bar are you rendering with?

[lbaron]

Awesome board!  Love the layout and symmetry of it, great job!

[MdotMaxson]

The win key blockers are not symmetrical. Nice try though.

[beekey]

This looks great. A bit simple, but I do enjoy the back view.

Probably a long shot, but: Any chance of split spacebars? Maybe 2.25 + 1.25 + 2.75 (6.25) so that they'd fit inside the Winkey spacebar and you don't have to change any mod keys. You wouldn't even need to change the plate.

Something like this:

Show Image

Show Image

+1

[crykn]

very sweet board. that first GMK render is a face melter. hope it comes to fruition.

Glad you like it! Based on the interest so far, I'm fairly hopeful that the board will come to fruition! The GMK set on the other hand was just an experiment and due to competition probably won't come to fruition for a while.

Nice and clean, consider me interested!

Holy moly. Definitely in for this one 

Super interested to join..

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

Thanks guys!

My initial thoughts are:
1. A render with GMK Olive would be sweet. I think it would look good on the silver.
2. I also wish a polycarbonate option was available.
3. Regardless of 1 and 2, I'm going to try to get in on this. This is nice.

I could see if a render for GMK Olive could be made. Unfortunately, unless a vendor with lots of experience with polycarbonate helps out, I'd rather not risk the quality control issues. But thanks for the interest!

[Lunarpie]

Would love to see a render with the new GMK Hammerhead Deep Water set!

[crykn]

Wow, I am extremely interested in this keyboard...I don't have a 75% yet so this would be a pretty cool addition to my collection. Would there be any color options for the case?

I'm also extremely interested in that Keycap render in the first pic haha. You can probably make novelties that references the source material if anything.

Thanks for the interest! The color options are currently located in the interest check survey, whichever colors get the most votes/interest will probably have renders made and should show up in the GB.

This looks great. A bit simple, but I do enjoy the back view.

Probably a long shot, but: Any chance of split spacebars? Maybe 2.25 + 1.25 + 2.75 (6.25) so that they'd fit inside the Winkey spacebar and you don't have to change any mod keys. You wouldn't even need to change the plate.

Something like this:

Show Image

Show Image

Split spacebar is certainly not out of the question if it doesn't interfere with the existing layouts and there is decent support for it, than I don't see why I couldn't include it.

Looking like a clean and simple keyboard! I'm in if price is reasonable. 

Thanks for the design compliments! I hope the final price is reasonable for you

Wow - very nice - i think there is no chance for a hotswap pcb ?


Hope pricing is known alongside 7V - definatelly want a 75 keyb - but now its hard to decide which one

Unless there is high demand for a hotswap PCB, then it isn't super likely, but we will see what the community is most interested in. If no hotswap PCB is released, the best option might be to solder some sockets onto the PCB to make your own.

Hopefully the price sits in my confort zone after shipping I really like the WK version!

I definitely hope the price is within a comfortable range for everyone that wants to get one, just depends on vendors and quantities! I should have WK renders not too long from now

[plus_one]

This looks really great.  I love the minimalist design, and the layout is perfect.  Pending my personal finances and the cost of this board, I would definitely get one!

Can someone tell me more about the differences between a tray mount and an isolation mount?  I understand the mechanics of the mounting itself, I'm more interested in what it feels like to actually type on.
 I've read a little bit about gasket mounted boards, but I don't know what to expect in terms of the feel of the board other than a generally "softer" feel compared to the "hard points" of a tray mount.  I'd likely be using tactile switches (Zealios/Zilents), if that makes a difference.  Thanks!

[juusu]

This is the nicest looking in the recent string of 75% IC's, definitely interested. Hope you manage to keep the price down in the lower end of the range.

ISO plates are unlikely; however, this will also depend on the vendor and MOQs. Regardless, once the group buy is complete, the plates will be open sourced and an ISO plate file can be provided.

Does this mean the PCB will definitely support ISO layout, but I might need to get a custom plate cut to build an ISO board?