[GB] CA66 replacement PCB - finished

[MisterKnife]

Hey there,

I've made a PCB for the CA66 with stm32.
this will be a limited run for 45 pieces. I might re-run it after if there is more interest.

IC
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=107319.0

Features
- STM32F072
- QMK compatible
- ALPS and MX compatible
- ESD protection
- Green PCB
- ENIG-RoHS
- Case grounded
- 6 RGB LEDs
- Molex Pico connector between the two boards
- No iso layout for now. if demand is high for this I will add it.
- No LEDs for the keys (backlight)
- push button to put the MCU into DFU mode for when flashing really failed. (normal bootloader via ESC key)
- usb-c breakout pcb

Layouts



the caps lock key has two different placements

Price
I've decided to stay with the ENIG finish as it would only shave off around 1-2 euro's a pcb. And as I have to hand solder some components this will perform better.

1 PCB = 45 EUR
2-4 PCB = 40 EUR P/U


Shipping
Shipping will be done via DHL non-express. it's dependable for where you are what the price is going to be.
After the group buy is full and all the transfers are complete it will take approx 2-3 weeks to get everything shipped.

please also add your country to the shipping information

End date
Wednesday 15th or when we reach 45 units.

Payment
Via PayPal, I'll send out the invoices. 

I will send a tailored shipping price to everybody that participates after the gb ends

QMK
There is a PR open but for now you can get it here: https://github.com/afewyards/qmk_firmware/tree/knife66

[Signature]

Approved

[holysht_itschris]

Thanks for running this!

[MisterKnife]

Thanks for running this!

Hey chris,
sending to Canada is like double the price vs USA with DHL from Europe. Do you have some recommendations regarding shipping?

[holysht_itschris]

Thanks for running this!

Hey chris,
sending to Canada is like double the price vs USA with DHL from Europe. Do you have some recommendations regarding shipping?

I am in the USA. Shipping to Canada from here right now is also very expensive. Not sure I have any recommendations that will help


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[Wojciech]

Ordered

[redjarojam]

In for 1

[j0hn3h]

Thank you so much! Placed an order for 2. Can't wait to be typing on my CA66 again.

[MisterKnife]

Getting a new test board with the new layouts this Monday to validate the design.

So if everything goes as scheduled I should have the PCBs in about 2 weeks. Then I need to add a couple more components by hand for all the boards, pack them, and ship. That will be a couple of days.

Really glad I could help all of you to be typing again. (I'm typing this from my renewed CA66)

[euphxenos]

In for two, and thanks for doing this.

[PlsCrit]

Ordered 2, excited to revive my ca66!!

[Briezion]

In for 2! Thank you for putting this together! :3

[MisterKnife]

So the arm chip I was using is out of stock. Changed the chip to a different footprint one that is in stock so we do not have to wait.

[j0hn3h]

So the arm chip I was using is out of stock. Changed the chip to a different footprint one that is in stock so we do not have to wait.

Thank you for looking for an alternative so there's no delay! It's very much appreciated!

[MisterKnife]

We've reached 30 at this point. As the supplier of the PCB only does a maximum of batches of 30 per run I've got to get at least an extra 6 orders to not lose money. (double setup costs etc) for the people that already ordered they are "safe" 

So if you order now it's dependable on how many orders we get through. Sorry for this.

for the IC we hit around 45 so I'm not too worried

[gnho]

We've reached 30 at this point. As the supplier of the PCB only does a maximum of batches of 30 per run I've got to get at least an extra 6 orders to not lose money. (double setup costs etc) for the people that already ordered they are "safe" 

So if you order now it's dependable on how many orders we get through. Sorry for this.

for the IC we hit around 45 so I'm not too worried

Hey just ordered 1 but decided to go for 2 instead. Could you invoice me 2 instead. My zip code is 78722 and I forgot to put down I'm in the US.

[MisterKnife]

We've reached 30 at this point. As the supplier of the PCB only does a maximum of batches of 30 per run I've got to get at least an extra 6 orders to not lose money. (double setup costs etc) for the people that already ordered they are "safe" 

So if you order now it's dependable on how many orders we get through. Sorry for this.

for the IC we hit around 45 so I'm not too worried

Hey just ordered 1 but decided to go for 2 instead. Could you invoice me 2 instead. My zip code is 78722 and I forgot to put down I'm in the US.

Done

[cijanzen]

Thanks for running this!

Hey chris,
sending to Canada is like double the price vs USA with DHL from Europe. Do you have some recommendations regarding shipping?

I’m also Chris from Canada. I’d suggest either sticking with DHL and deal with the prices or use your local carrier who will then pass it on to Canada Post. My experience is that DHL customs are the lowest of the big carriers and also faster than the local carriers.

How much are we talking for shipping to let’s say Toronto?

[ZyBeR]

Ordered

[MisterKnife]

I'm going to be sending out the invoices today. I still have 3 boards left as I'm going to order 40 and they go per 5. So if you still want to join just fill in the form.

[cijanzen]

Thanks for everything. It’s really appreciated!

[MisterKnife]

Just got in some prototypes and the layout looks good so once everybody paid I'll send out the order.

[redjarojam]

Paid and excited! Thanks for running this!

[MisterKnife]

Almost have all the payments in, waiting on the last 4. Once they have paid I'll order the parts/pcbs.

[MisterKnife]

I've ordered the PCB and the components. Here we go!

[j0hn3h]

I've ordered the PCB and the components. Here we go!

Thank you for all the updates! Super stoked!

[T0mb3ry]

I took the last pcb. Would love to get a second one.

[MisterKnife]

sorry, I've already send the order out. maybe if there is interest after this one is done I can fire it up again.

[MisterKnife]

I got one more left as it turns out

[MisterKnife]

Again, one more left

[MisterKnife]

Small update: the pcbs are bound to arrive on Monday. I then need to solder some components and flash them. This will take some time also as I just had surgery yesterday ( faulty appendix ) but I hope that I will finish them by the end of the week all packed and ready to ship.

[cijanzen]

Small update: the pcbs are bound to arrive on Monday. I then need to solder some components and flash them. This will take some time also as I just had surgery yesterday ( faulty appendix ) but I hope that I will finish them by the end of the week all packed and ready to ship.

Thanks for keeping us up to date! Take care of yourself!

[holysht_itschris]

Small update: the pcbs are bound to arrive on Monday. I then need to solder some components and flash them. This will take some time also as I just had surgery yesterday ( faulty appendix ) but I hope that I will finish them by the end of the week all packed and ready to ship.

You are INCREDIBLE.  Hope your Recovery goes well.

[ZyBeR]

Wow, that was fast!


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[Lyle88]

Did all of these end up selling?

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[MisterKnife]

yes they are all sold out for now. if there is enough interest I can do another run after this one is finished

[MisterKnife]

time for some soldering. hope to do like 10 a day.

[jahndesu]

I'm so bummed I missed this.  Having a ton of issues with my CA66 PCB.  Let me know if there's another GB or extras from this round. 

My PCB dies + restarts about 20 times a day and it's crazy annoying.

[MisterKnife]

I can order another extra 5 but those would be 50 a piece as it’s a super small batch. Let me know

[j0hn3h]

Great to hear that everything is on time and moving along!

Thanks for all the frequent updates! Wished other GB could be the same.

Hope you're better now! Otherwise, get better soon!

[MisterKnife]

Well I tried ordering some extras but they changed the accepted assembly size of panels. So I can't order from this supplier anymore. I will do another interest check in a while for this

[Owl-]

I couldn't join in on this round as funds are tight at the moment for me. Not in any rush for one but will join on the next one. Would also be keen if smd leds were added instead of the regular from the ca66 gb.

[MisterKnife]

1 small setback. I finished early with all the boards but upon inspection, some diodes from 8 boards snapped off during transit. I ordered diodes and will solder new ones on there.
Look like sending is going to be monday/tuesday

I couldn't join in on this round as funds are tight at the moment for me. Not in any rush for one but will join on the next one. Would also be keen if smd leds were added instead of the regular from the ca66 gb.

You mean for all the keys?

[Owl-]

You mean for all the keys?

Yes, though not a must.

[holysht_itschris]

1 small setback. I finished early with all the boards but upon inspection, some diodes from 8 boards snapped off during transit. I ordered diodes and will solder new ones on there.
Look like sending is going to be monday/tuesday

I couldn't join in on this round as funds are tight at the moment for me. Not in any rush for one but will join on the next one. Would also be keen if smd leds were added instead of the regular from the ca66 gb.

You mean for all the keys?

I can not fathom how quickly you have got all of this done, how communicative you are about the process, and how smooth this has gone.  Thank you so much for doing this

[MisterKnife]

I'm bringing the first batch to DHL tomorrow. I also opened a PR to QMK for the layout. the link is in the thread

[MisterKnife]

Just posted the last one

[ZyBeR]

Just got theses two beauties delivered, what an amazing work! They look really good.


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[Briezion]

Received my pair as well! Testing, and hopefully millmaxing one later this evening! <3

[j0hn3h]

I too got mines delivered! Tested and confirmed working.

Just a minor issue, not sure if it's the same for others, but putting switches in is a little difficult. I tried with a few different switches and they were all tight.

Again, not a big deal, just gotta use more force to get them in before soldering.

Thanks for the GB!