Author Topic: AEKISO60: A AEK ISO 60% PCB (Read 4384 times)

Applet · « **on:** Sun, 01 December 2019, 07:17:22 »

Intro:
So, I sometimes make PCB's when I'm bored and I've noticed several times that there is no 60% PCB (that I've seen) that supports AEK ISO keycaps. The AEK ISO-keycaps are really great, so it would be fun if they were used in modern 60% boards.

Specs:

ATmega32U2 with QMK support
Alps-switches
RGB underglow, 12 qt
Standard tray mount, with some compatibility issues

Current status of PCB
Waiting for prototypes

PCB:

Current layout support:

Issues:
This is not really a problem with other mounting systems than tray mount. The switches on the ISO AEK are shifted 0.25u compared to standard ANSI/ISO, which adds some difficulty. This makes it incompatible with some of the mounting holes on common 60% tray mounts. This is completely untested, but 5 of the mounting points should be useable for tray mount. The other mounts will probably need to be isolated with a non conducting spacer or such. I will remove the holes that is not compatible. For the most common mounting holes/posts, only the center post should cause issues.

The PCB should work fine in any other type of mount, like a top mount with a custom plate.

Files:
Link to my repo if anyone wants to contribute: https://github.com/4pplet/AEKISO60
Designed in Altium 17.

4sStylZ · « **Reply #1 on:** Thu, 05 December 2019, 06:32:05 »

Very cool !

I am interested. I have some AEK 2 and for now I handwire them and use a 3D printed spacer but the PCB version can be a nice upgrade. If you sell them at the correct price I can probably buy some for my current and futures AEK that I can find in France.

Can you provide some additionnal IO pins for custom lights / indicators ? I have something like that on the XD75 and this is very cool.

For the name, I think that AEK60-ISO is perfect, Actually it’s a 58% exactly because of the 61 keys.

Applet · « **Reply #2 on:** Thu, 05 December 2019, 07:40:28 »

Quote from: 4sStylZ on Thu, 05 December 2019, 06:32:05

Very cool !

I am interested. I have some AEK 2 and for now I handwire them and use a 3D printed spacer but the PCB version can be a nice upgrade. If you sell them at the correct price I can probably buy some for my current and futures AEK that I can find in France.

Can you provide some additionnal IO pins for custom lights / indicators ? I have something like that on the XD75 and this is very cool.

For the name, I think that AEK60-ISO is perfect, Actually it’s a 58% exactly because of the 61 keys.

I currently use all the pins on the ATmega32U2, we could free up a few pins by rearranging the matrix, but I'd like to keep it as it is, I like to have a simple matrix, it makes it easier for people to troubleshoot the PCB.

We could switch processor to a ATmega32U4 or a ARM, I'll consider it.

4sStylZ · « **Reply #3 on:** Thu, 05 December 2019, 08:04:02 »

I understand your point. Keep it the most simple possible.

On my Handwired I use the Teensy ++ 2 so it’s a AT90USB1286. I don’t know if this is hard to adapt but on this piece of hardware there is more IO pin.

Applet · « **Reply #4 on:** Sat, 21 December 2019, 05:48:23 »

I made a github release with the gerbers, tho realize, these files are completely untested, no prototypes done yet. This release has the "Current layout support" in the main post.

Link: https://github.com/4pplet/AEKISO60/releases/tag/A1

RETURNISO · « **Reply #5 on:** Sat, 21 December 2019, 06:32:33 »

Would love a MX footprint version for Alcatel MKK caps

Applet · « **Reply #6 on:** Sat, 21 December 2019, 06:55:59 »

Quote from: RETURNISO on Sat, 21 December 2019, 06:32:33

Would love a MX footprint version for Alcatel MKK caps

It's the one that looks like this? https://i.imgur.com/XbC4uzp.jpg

If like in the image, it looks like it is not the same width as standard 60%, since it is not offset like the ISO AEK. A standard 60% is 15u in with, that looks like 14.75u?

RETURNISO · « **Reply #7 on:** Sat, 21 December 2019, 07:12:33 »

Quote from: Applet on Sat, 21 December 2019, 06:55:59

Quote from: RETURNISO on Sat, 21 December 2019, 06:32:33
Would love a MX footprint version for Alcatel MKK caps
It's the one that looks like this? https://i.imgur.com/XbC4uzp.jpg

If like in the image, it looks like it is not the same width as standard 60%, since it is not offset like the ISO AEK. A standard 60% is 15u in with, that looks like 14.75u?

Yes correct board!

yea its cutoff with 0.25u

OK. Rip i thought the AEK did the same.. my bad

I have some AEK caps aswell that's why this caught my interest, could be fun to try out and see if there was a enough interest for a small run

Applet · « **Reply #8 on:** Sat, 21 December 2019, 08:42:35 »

Quote from: RETURNISO on Sat, 21 December 2019, 07:12:33

Quote from: Applet on Sat, 21 December 2019, 06:55:59
Quote from: RETURNISO on Sat, 21 December 2019, 06:32:33
Would love a MX footprint version for Alcatel MKK caps
It's the one that looks like this? https://i.imgur.com/XbC4uzp.jpg

If like in the image, it looks like it is not the same width as standard 60%, since it is not offset like the ISO AEK. A standard 60% is 15u in with, that looks like 14.75u?

Yes correct board!

yea its cutoff with 0.25u

OK. Rip i thought the AEK did the same.. my bad

I have some AEK caps aswell that's why this caught my interest, could be fun to try out and see if there was a enough interest for a small run

Oh, that's a shame, If it were 15u, I could make something, but 14.75u will be a bit weird in a standard 60% case

)

Is there anyone that can help me out and tell me what position the switch should be for the AEK ISO enter? (preferably in relation to the other switches) I do not have a set of these keycaps myself unfortunately, trying to find info. For the PCB I'm pretty sure it's fine, since I have added three different positions, but I would need the correct placement for plates anyway, better to get it correct now rather than later.

ideus · « **Reply #9 on:** Sat, 21 December 2019, 09:04:57 »

Quote from: Applet on Sat, 21 December 2019, 08:42:35

Quote from: RETURNISO on Sat, 21 December 2019, 07:12:33
Quote from: Applet on Sat, 21 December 2019, 06:55:59
Quote from: RETURNISO on Sat, 21 December 2019, 06:32:33
Would love a MX footprint version for Alcatel MKK caps
It's the one that looks like this? https://i.imgur.com/XbC4uzp.jpg

If like in the image, it looks like it is not the same width as standard 60%, since it is not offset like the ISO AEK. A standard 60% is 15u in with, that looks like 14.75u?

Yes correct board!

yea its cutoff with 0.25u

OK. Rip i thought the AEK did the same.. my bad

I have some AEK caps aswell that's why this caught my interest, could be fun to try out and see if there was a enough interest for a small run

Oh, that's a shame, If it were 15u, I could make something, but 14.75u will be a bit weird in a standard 60% case )

Is there anyone that can help me out and tell me what position the switch should be for the AEK ISO enter? (preferably in relation to the other switches) I do not have a set of these keycaps myself unfortunately, trying to find info. For the PCB I'm pretty sure it's fine, since I have added three different positions, but I would need the correct placement for plates anyway, better to get it correct now rather than later.

13.75u would sound even worst. This is my upcoming daily driver. Its parts are slowly coming, one by one, to be put together for the making of my very own personal layout. Mr. ReturnISO helps with a nice DK Alcatel set.

Hapi · « **Reply #10 on:** Sat, 11 January 2020, 02:52:58 »

~~would be nice have also JST SH connector footprint for usb daughter board. some nice cases require it.~~

sorry my mistake

Applet · « **Reply #11 on:** Sat, 11 January 2020, 09:16:57 »

Quote from: Hapi on Sat, 11 January 2020, 02:52:58

~~would be nice have also JST SH connector footprint for usb daughter board. some nice cases require it.~~

sorry my mistake

No worries, do cases that is using the JST SH connector have the standard tray-mount placement for usb-port? If so, I can easily add a footprint for the JST connector. Currently, USB has a breakout with regular 2.54mm-header.

I am planning to do a prototype round of these in the end of the month or beginning of the next.

Hapi · « **Reply #12 on:** Sat, 11 January 2020, 17:19:18 »

Im planing build blue alps rama thermal. I don't know which connector exactly wilba boards using. I haven't had their boards yet in my hands

Applet · « **Reply #13 on:** Mon, 20 January 2020, 15:07:13 »

Latest release with JST-connector added:
AEK60ISO Rev A2: https://github.com/4pplet/AEKISO60/releases/tag/A2

I plan to do these prototypes soon, I just need to finish up another project that I will order PCB's for at the same time.

Applet · « **Reply #14 on:** Tue, 21 January 2020, 04:13:40 »

What is the opinion of the bottom row? Too cluttered? Not sure if I should remove layout support to make it more catered towards only AEK or leave it as it is for good flexibility.

Hapi · « **Reply #15 on:** Tue, 21 January 2020, 05:09:38 »

What to leave it like this

Applet · « **Reply #16 on:** Thu, 23 January 2020, 06:45:47 »

Yes, I was thinking something along those lines. I'll look at it this weekend. Thanks for input

4sStylZ · « **Reply #17 on:** Fri, 24 January 2020, 06:58:31 »

If you got some working proto PCB to sell I would love to have one

About the bottom row :

My first idea is to have full aek support. If there is a way to support more layout then I would love to have :

- Modifiers size from AEK at the left / right but the space bar replaced by a Smaller one (Size 3~) and more modifier close to it.
- Modifiers size from AEK at the left / right but a 3 three way split space bar : something like 2,25 + 1 + 3. (2 big keys for space + a 1u on the center).

Also I have watched your pdf and… this look very good ! I would make a only one aesthetic change : The font on the « for ISO-version of AEK ». I would choose something like Apple Garamond (for marketing use) or Univers 47 (Condensed Light Oblique) wich is the font on the keycap of the AEK if I remember correctly.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typography_of_Apple_Inc.

Applet · « **Reply #18 on:** Wed, 29 January 2020, 03:21:43 »

Yes, I'll look into changing the font to the "apple-font". I'll try and incorporate the 2.5u shift in the split space, since those are also available when using ISO keysets. I'll update when I settle on a bottom row, hopefully soon.

Applet · « **Reply #19 on:** Mon, 03 February 2020, 02:30:41 »

I've settled on a pretty basic bottom row. I wanted to keep it simple, but add tsangan/wkl and split space using the common apple keycaps. This will be used for initial prototypes.

Good enough?

Still need to figure out the apple-font, but pretty much ready for ordering first prototypes. Will update main post and make release on github tomorrow.

Hapi · « **Reply #20 on:** Mon, 03 February 2020, 02:44:24 »

perfect!

4sStylZ · « **Reply #21 on:** Mon, 17 February 2020, 07:59:07 »

I am still waiting for this !

4sStylZ · « **Reply #22 on:** Thu, 20 February 2020, 03:59:20 »

Hi there,

Another question about your PCB. Did he offer additionnal pin to handle custom hardware ?
Basically I would use those to incorporate a joystick / mosfets to control custom lights effects or volume knob / MIDI sliders.

Applet · « **Reply #23 on:** Thu, 20 February 2020, 04:23:45 »

Unfortunately no, there is no extra pins. I like the ATmega32u2 for its smaller size and less external components compared to ATmega32u4 or other MCU's, but the downside is less pins and no I2C. All pins are used for matrix and underglow.

Prototypes should arrive at the end of next week. Can't say exactly when I will have time to build and start testing, but pretty soon.

Edit: Updated main post with current layout support and how the PCB's look. I ordered green tho, not black.

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Author Topic: AEKISO60: A AEK ISO 60% PCB (Read 4384 times)