Gondo got caught up in doing more important things than finishing a PCB, but expects to be done sometime in the upcoming week or two.
Talking with the manufacturer about possibly modifying the bottom case to add more rigidity. It won't change how it looks since the braces will all be internal, but there is a chance it'll add some machining cost.
Daughterboard has been implemented, now located on the center of the bottom (USB cutout is just a placeholder until I know if I have to add braces), picture here:
Still hoping to order prototypes soon after Gondo finishes up the PCB, but progress is likely to be slow since I'm currently dealing with a hellish landlord situation (which obviously takes priority over ordering prototypes).
That being said, the project is looking good so far! I can't wait for more progress, y'all stay patient and keep your eyes peeled for future updates (:
PCB prototypes ordered, case prototypes ordered. I'm expecting both to arrive mid next month (June), but anything could happen with Corona.
Final USB Location
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Centered USB, slightly rounded hole. Nothing too fancy, just keeping to the theme of the board.
Final PCB Design (Color TBD)
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Gondolindrim designed, C3 unified daughterboard, VIA compatible. No frills, flex cuts, leftover pinouts, tinker friendly. A huge thank you to Gondo for coming through with such a great PCB for this project, I can't thank him enough ((:
I've decided to keep branding on the keyboard and PCB to a minimum. Currently, the only logo is on the bottom of the PCB (my lil guy sitting under Gondo's tree). For the production run, I'll more than likely add another one inside the case and out of sight with my name, the keyboard's name, and the production number.
I'll likely need around 2-3 weeks after the prototype arrives to get ready for the GB. This will give me time to: inspect the model and make any changes I feel are necessary, talk with the manu to get a final quote and discuss any concerns with the prototype, test the PCB and make sure everything works as it should, and of course mentally prepare.
I don't want to or expect there to be a need to limit the number of units sold.
Will update again once prototypes come in! Will do an assembly video to show how it all fits together, as well as build it up and do a typing test to see how it sounds.
Anodizing has completed, but they are sending back the last piece to be re-anodized (streak visible in last pic, arrow pointing to it). Should be shipping to me early next week. Prototype color revealed, it's pink (:
Proto album from the manu:
https://imgur.com/a/3DkQsQMPCBs are almost done as well and should ship early next week as well.
Prototype is officially in, and it looks fantastic! I still need to wait for some stabs to come in (somehow I didn't have any spares lmao), and then I'll record and upload a typing test.
If there's anything specific you want to see from the prototype, just let me know and I'll upload it tomorrow.
Initial prototype images:
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I'll take some more detailed pictures of all the parts later today or tomorrow. I'll go into some more detail on specific thoughts about the prototype tomorrow as well, and go over some places where I think it could be improved (both design wise and manufacturing wise).
Here's some more albums:
More Views of Individual Parts:
https://imgur.com/a/bNxZPMLOverview of Defects and Damages:
https://imgur.com/a/eFutWFMAssembly Demonstration:
https://imgur.com/a/bYCYACMThere are definitely some changes that I'll have to make, and a second prototype will likely have to be ordered.