KBC Poker 40% New design of the keyboard frame part.1

[bl1978]

KBC Poker 40%  New design of the keyboard frame part.1

Hi, I"m a keyboard fan from Taiwan

Very pleased to come here to share with you information about the keyboard

Recently I got the keyboard KBC poker 40%
PBT keycap and cherry black posed by the mechanical axis of the keyboard, and keys location has not been changed.
I feel very satisfied of the keyboard. I was quite happy at the time.
But I think KBC poker 40% could be better
So I started thinking, I want to add more functions, to make it perfect

The following summarized design ideas.

1. Storable USB cable
  40% of the keyboard to go out quite easily, if the USB cable can be incorporated in the function of adding even more ideal. It can be forget to bring the USB cable out to avoid the dilemma.

2. USB cable can be adjustable
As an external device, sometime we need longer cable, if the cable can be adjusted so that will be the best.

3. Hight of the Keyboard can be adjust
I always liked adjustable keyboard, if they can add this features it would be ideal.
I am a industrial designer, so I am quite familiar with the product design process

So I started working the design of the KBC poker 40%
I can add three more functions.
(The sharing will be completed in two articles)

In order to achieve the exact size, I first disassembled the keyboard KBC poker 40%
And take it to 3D reverse scan
As the white spray paint scanning needs, it becomes like this






After I use 3D graphics software, the 3D rendering completed in full accordance with the ratio of 1:1
And in the frame I want to add functionality.
This is a 3D drawing final look, I have considered the feasibility of the die mold. This is certainly not problem.








Then, making the sample frame
I used to draw a 3D CNC in accordance with drawings to process samples
Figure not yet completed processing of plastic paint colors





Assembly testing
KBC poker 40% I have remove the load board that and put into the sample frame which I designed myself










Storage USB cable test
50cm USB cable



USB wire diagram incorporating





100cm USB cable





With three holes to reach the control pressure line the length of USB cable length










Use it with ipad








Currently the keyboard frame is not yet completed
There are keyboard stand not making and the frame needs painting
I prefer to paint color in iron-gray

Please look forward to part 2
And please respect this article as intellectual property, without my approval, please do not reprint articles

Thanks

Brian


My BLOG
http://design1978.pixnet.net/blog/post/33520525

[calavera]

this is freaking awesome! If only we had someone who could design PCB's we'd be one step closer to making our own custom keyboards.

Would have been perfect if there was a comparison pic showing the original KBC case side by side as well since most of us (like 99%) don't own a KBC poker yet. I haven't paid much attention to the underside pictures of the keyboard itself in some of the reviews but I doubt anyone does.

[reaper]

Hey Brian, welcome to GeekHack and that is very cool!  Looking forward to part 2. =D

[laden3]

Hello~~您老好~~~ 花了多少钱 (how much did u spend)?

[n12]

Ugh, KBC Pokers are just sexy. Even without the girl.

[db_Iodine]

That cable holder is just a fantastic idea. I can't wait to get my Pokers.

[CephalicCarnage]

Looks amazing!  I'm really digging that cable holder design.

[Brodie337]

I would perform unspeakable sexual favors in order to get an aluminium one of those... Or just pay money for plastic.

[bl1978]

I think the price of the problems and can not be calculated correctly

Design ideas and drawing the correct calculation of the cost of not

However, the cost of plastic materials and processing can be calculated

[002]

good lord...do you take commissions?

[bl1978]

I think I designed this keyboard frame
 Just to finish my own design ideas

 I do not know what you mean
 commissions ?

[Philth]

This is awesome. Have you considered contacting KBC with the design?

[bl1978]

I'm just an independent designer
I have eight years of industrial design experience
Design of the frame, is my personal preference

not associated with KBC

[Lpb45]

liking those pics

[gilgam]

Commissions :

he means do you sell it at the factory cost or do you take some bribe  ;-)

[db_Iodine]

Ah OK, thanks for clarifying that.

I'm still curious if KBC is a real company or just 3 guys placing bulk orders and assembling keyboards in their kitchen.

Probably a real company of three employees assembling keyboards in their kitchen.

[bl1978]

I understand
 But unfortunately the are. This is just a plastic model of the sample
 If you want to sell the price will be quite expensive

 I do not have the intention to sell

 I just want to design my own convenience of a portable and can be incorporated wire frame

[laden3]

Ah OK, thanks for clarifying that.

I'm still curious if KBC is a real company or just 3 guys placing bulk orders and assembling keyboards in their kitchen.

Sounds more like das (especially "3 guys"), minus the "assembling keyboards in their kitchen".

[noodles256]

This mod is so sick.

[reaper]

I'm still curious if KBC is a real company or just 3 guys placing bulk orders and assembling keyboards in their kitchen.

At least it's in their kitchen..  lol


or is it? O.o

[hansmuff]

First off, thank you for sharing your ideas!

I do have a suggestion: I think it would make sense to have the USB connection recessed in the housing. It looks like the port is subject to damage when there is unintentional strain on the cable, or the keyboard falls.
It would be nice if the port was recessed and the cable could "lock in" on a plastic tab so strain/drop would not damage cable or port.

[RiGS]

This is freaking awesome.
You should consider selling it.

[guilleguillaume]

This is freaking awesome.
You should consider selling it.

I'm pretty sure a lot of people will buy it.

I think it's just an awesome work.

[suntorytime]

I think the expense is high because it is made from 3d CNC instead of plastic injection molding. It's possible for users to do something similar by drawing a CAD or 3d render and submitting it to a nearby industrial workshop with a CNC machine.

It's an excellent design, really dig the USB cable compartment.

I'm excited to see what other mods come out from hobbyists separate from KBC.

Edit: Oh yeah, good work on doing the cable routing channels right. Not even the engineers who designed the Topre 103 could figure out how to get a middle cable routing channel. *tongue in cheek*

[BucklingSpring]

This is fantastic!!!!!!

Here's a constructive critic. What do you think of moving the USB plug from the FRONT to UNDER... Something like that:


I don't know what size/space constraint you have for the USB connector.
But if you can manage to put it somewhere under in the same compartment as the cable management area... This would make it cleaner and one step closer to the PERFECT keyboard :-)

I also suggest for durability to keep a regular size USB connector. Again, if you have the space to do it.

Great Job!

[bl1978]

This is a good suggestion, I have thought about the various programs
 Make it more perfect.

 But I use the PCB ready KBC
 It can not be reached

Unless modified PCB board

[keyboardlover]

Great mod Brian! I like it a lot.

[BucklingSpring]

Ok then...
I like your project. Very well thought!

It can not be reached
Unless modified PCB board

[spolia optima]

This kicks so much ass.
Thank you.

[heedpantsnow]

Wow, great mod!

[zaerst]

Man would love to have one of those as well!

[Rally Man]

You can use shapeways.com to upload your design and people can buy it.  The person can even select the material for the casing to be made out of (including metal!).

Might be something to think about since many people are interested in your design.

[quadibloc]

While I won't be able to take part in the group purchase, I still looked up the information about the keyboard. There seems to be one serious mistake in its layout.

The keyboard has only one Alt key, the left-hand Alt key.

There's a DIP switch setting to make the left-hand Windows key into a left-hand Fn key instead, but none to make the right-hand Windows key into a right-hand Alt key instead.

This is very important, because on some European keyboard layouts, the left-hand Alt key and the right-hand Alt key perform two different functions: the left-hand Alt is used normally for special functions in programs, while the right-hand Alt key is used for shifting into additional characters.

[ch_123]

Yeah, this was one of the major gripes I had with the design when I tried it.

It could do with a dedicated Fn key to the right of the right Shift key, like the HHKB.

[RiGS]

While I won't be able to take part in the group purchase, I still looked up the information about the keyboard. There seems to be one serious mistake in its layout.

The keyboard has only one Alt key, the left-hand Alt key.

There's a DIP switch setting to make the left-hand Windows key into a left-hand Fn key instead, but none to make the right-hand Windows key into a right-hand Alt key instead.

This is very important, because on some European keyboard layouts, the left-hand Alt key and the right-hand Alt key perform two different functions: the left-hand Alt is used normally for special functions in programs, while the right-hand Alt key is used for shifting into additional characters.

That's why I passed that group buy.

[enoy21]

I don't know about the rest of you guys.....  

But my instant thought when seeing this was a Rubberized Keyboard jacket like Most smart phones offer.

So basically an addon to the original Poker that is made of rubber ( Slip resistant and shock resistant ).    This would make it ideal for traveling with the USB cable management.  Make it in various colors and it's a quick custom option for people afraid to really get into the innards.


That's actually something that could be made for almost any board.   To you can add a color to the casing to match some scheme you have on your keys or surface log.

[hargon]

Another one here, who would like to get this. In another color please, but then very much interested.
Hopefully something comes up in this direction!

[ishtob]

i would love to see that done in aluminum CNC!