[IC] The TK78, a custom 78 Key 60% + numpad keyboard

[von_braun]

Very interested!

Especially in a pre-soldered PCB, plate, stab and case kit.

[doodersbrother]

Oh wow I really want this. If you can keep it in the ~$250 range, I'm totally in.

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Also, another exciting update. Since anodizing is so cheap from the manufacturer, the case and plate will have numerous colors available. You can also mix and choose. For example, a black case with a red plate, etc.

REally cool news! Are we still close to the price tag given in the OP or higher/lower?

Slightly higher (~$25) because the machine shop raised their prices to ridiculous levels. I did find another machine shop, but it is still $30 more expensive than I planned.

[Ngt]

Oh wow I really want this. If you can keep it in the ~$250 range, I'm totally in.

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Also, another exciting update. Since anodizing is so cheap from the manufacturer, the case and plate will have numerous colors available. You can also mix and choose. For example, a black case with a red plate, etc.

REally cool news! Are we still close to the price tag given in the OP or higher/lower?

Slightly higher (~$25) because the machine shop raised their prices to ridiculous levels. I did find another machine shop, but it is still $30 more expensive than I planned.

Fair enough, thanks for letting us know. I wonder, do you have any idea what could be the estimated start date of the GB?

[LechnerDE]

Just filled out the form on page 2.

Will keep an close an on this and hopefully score a board with the numpad on the left 

[Ngt]

Just filled out the form on page 2.

Will keep an close an on this and hopefully score a board with the numpad on the left 

Perhaps I'm blind but I can seem to find the link you are referring to ... 

[Orgell_Evaan]

Are the plates and cases being made and Anodized by 2 different shops?

Color matching will be rough, if so.

[TastaturenAuslese]

Interested :3

[doodersbrother]

Are the plates and cases being made and Anodized by 2 different shops?

Color matching will be rough, if so.

Same shop.

[LechnerDE]

Just filled out the form on page 2.

Will keep an close an on this and hopefully score a board with the numpad on the left 

Perhaps I'm blind but I can seem to find the link you are referring to ... 

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=72329.msg1774722#msg1774722

[linkshine]

Filled out your form and submitted the name "78 dockdock"

[SadisticReap]

I suggested the name Platinum, because that is what 78 is on the periodic table.

[LeandreN]

I suggested the name Platinum, because that is what 78 is on the periodic table.

That's the best name idea I've heard!


Edit: and the ISO keyboard should be named Gold, because it will have 79 keys

[VinnyCordeiro]

Filled out your form and submitted the name "78 dockdock"

I suggested the name Platinum, because that is what 78 is on the periodic table.

Guys, the keyboards' names are already chosen: TK78-R & TK78-L, the last letter indicating at which side the numpad will be located.

Fast update: the components for assembling my prototype arrived yesterday, the PCB should be delivered later today. We are facing some difficulties that need to be debugged, but as I am the only team member with experience in that field, only now I'll be able to really work on that. The USB hub is giving us headaches.

[LeandreN]

Filled out your form and submitted the name "78 dockdock"

I suggested the name Platinum, because that is what 78 is on the periodic table.

Guys, the keyboards' names are already chosen: TK78-R & TK78-L, the last letter indicating at which side the numpad will be located.

I knew, was just joking around.

Good luck with the project Vinny

[Ngt]

Just filled out the form on page 2.

Will keep an close an on this and hopefully score a board with the numpad on the left 

Perhaps I'm blind but I can seem to find the link you are referring to ... 

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=72329.msg1774722#msg1774722

Thank you.

[LunarisDream]

Looks very nice! I've always liked the layout of the QF TK but couldn't find many alternatives with a similar layout. Seems like the best of both worlds to me - 80% but still with a numpad, and you can still have the arrow keys in regular layout if the kb is programmable.

[TastaturenAuslese]

Just what I was looking for I didn't miss the buy for this, did I?

[stoic-lemon]

Just what I was looking for I didn't miss the buy for this, did I?

No, you haven't missed anything.

[SadisticReap]

Any updates?

[VinnyCordeiro]

Any updates?

Still debugging the keyboard. I don't know why, but I can't upload an updated firmware using Flip on the board. On the weekend I'll have time to use an ICSP programmer to reload the DFU bootloader and upload the new firmware.

Meanwhile I'm updating the design of the USB hub, which didn't worked at all on this board. Seems like I've cut too much components from the standard design, and some of those components are important for the IC. The problem here is that I screwed up my USB IC and will only have money to buy a new one next month. (Here in Brazil salary is payed monthly, that's why it'll take so long.)

[SadisticReap]

Well hopefully it goes smooth over the weekend then, and sorry to hear about the USB. Look at it this way, first runs are always a pain, but the runs after go a lot smoother.

[doodersbrother]

We're currently developing the 2nd version of the prototype. Just a small update.

[SadisticReap]

What changes are being made? How far back will this set the GB?

[doodersbrother]

Case arrived. It was damaged while shipping. There are still a few problems that are being fixed.

[Ngt]

Case arrived. It was damaged while shipping. There are still a few problems that are being fixed.

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Really cool picture and prototype! I like it. I need it in my life!

[SadisticReap]

  I can't wait to get my hands on one!

[THSdrummer]

Just curious, but do we have an estimated order date for these? I saw the Reddit post. It looks gorgeous! Just need to figure what I'm doing financially.

But I can't think of a better keyboard for my office.

[VinnyCordeiro]

Just curious, but do we have an estimated order date for these? I saw the Reddit post. It looks gorgeous! Just need to figure what I'm doing financially.

But I can't think of a better keyboard for my office.

I'm making a new revision of the PCB, correcting the errors found on the prototype. The case will also have to be slightly changed. So, the best estimate I can give you is: it will be done when it is done.

[THSdrummer]

Just curious, but do we have an estimated order date for these? I saw the Reddit post. It looks gorgeous! Just need to figure what I'm doing financially.

But I can't think of a better keyboard for my office.

I'm making a new revision of the PCB, correcting the errors found on the prototype. The case will also have to be slightly changed. So, the best estimate I can give you is: it will be done when it is done.

Haha, cool beans. Just don't want to miss this group buy! I'd rather have a well-done, and tested product, than rushed slop.

[ccc24]

any updates on the prototype? What's the estimated price?

[skullydazed]

I've taken over the PCB since Vinny has been too busy to work on it. Prototypes are in doodersbrother's hands and he'll be building them soon. Once those are built and tested we can make sure the TMK fork I've put together for this will work:

https://github.com/skullydazed/tmk_keyboard/tree/master/keyboard/tk78-r

I've changed the backlighting from a single MOSFET that turned all LED's on at once to the NXP PCA9634PW, which lets us use full brightness by cycling through each row. As a bonus we'll have 3 pins on this chip left open, so hardware hackers and people who want to add more lighting will have a way to do so. I've exposed these pins, plus VCC and GND, on the board:



Watch this space, more exciting news to come.

[UsualSuspectXXX]

Glad to hear that things are moving along. I'm really excited to get my hands on a TK78!

[VinnyCordeiro]

I've taken over the PCB since Vinny has been too busy to work on it. Prototypes are in doodersbrother's hands and he'll be building them soon. Once those are built and tested we can make sure the TMK fork I've put together for this will work:

https://github.com/skullydazed/tmk_keyboard/tree/master/keyboard/tk78-r

I've changed the backlighting from a single MOSFET that turned all LED's on at once to the NXP PCA9634PW, which lets us use full brightness by cycling through each row. As a bonus we'll have 3 pins on this chip left open, so hardware hackers and people who want to add more lighting will have a way to do so. I've exposed these pins, plus VCC and GND, on the board:

Show Image

Watch this space, more exciting news to come.

Good to see that the project is up and running again. But I have a question: are the LED rows directly connected to the PCA9634PW pins? Because it can't handle a current higher than 25mA/pin according to the datasheet. You can make the PCA9634PW drive a transistor or MOSFET and then connect it to the LED's, as suggested on the datasheet itself.

And I'm guessing that you are working on the code for I2C communication for the LED's to work. Can't wait about that. :)

[skullydazed]

I've taken over the PCB since Vinny has been too busy to work on it. Prototypes are in doodersbrother's hands and he'll be building them soon. Once those are built and tested we can make sure the TMK fork I've put together for this will work:

https://github.com/skullydazed/tmk_keyboard/tree/master/keyboard/tk78-r

I've changed the backlighting from a single MOSFET that turned all LED's on at once to the NXP PCA9634PW, which lets us use full brightness by cycling through each row. As a bonus we'll have 3 pins on this chip left open, so hardware hackers and people who want to add more lighting will have a way to do so. I've exposed these pins, plus VCC and GND, on the board:

Show Image

Watch this space, more exciting news to come.

Good to see that the project is up and running again. But I have a question: are the LED rows directly connected to the PCA9634PW pins? Because it can't handle a current higher than 25mA/pin according to the datasheet. You can make the PCA9634PW drive a transistor or MOSFET and then connect it to the LED's, as suggested on the datasheet itself.

And I'm guessing that you are working on the code for I2C communication for the LED's to work. Can't wait about that. :)
[/quote

No, each row is connected through a MOSFET. You can see the one for row 5 to the left there.

And yes, putting together code for the I2C is on my todo list. The prototypes should be built soon so I better get working on it. :)

[VinnyCordeiro]

No, each row is connected through a MOSFET. You can see the one for row 5 to the left there.

And yes, putting together code for the I2C is on my todo list. The prototypes should be built soon so I better get working on it.

Nice! Didn't saw the MOSFET before. I hope everything goes alright.

[mogo]

It's been a little while, but I've been thinking about this PCB a lot lately. Just wondering how the project is proceeding.   

[doodersbrother]

The project is so close to completion. A pesky short has been delaying the any progress for a short while, but this is almost complete.

[LeandreN]

Hyped. Can't wait to see more.

[UsualSuspectXXX]

Glad to hear this is close. Really excited for this!

[VikG]

Hi!  I am wondering if the TK78-L will still be happening.  I'd really love a keyboard with a left-side numpad, especially a programmable+mechanical one.

[skullydazed]

Hi!  I am wondering if the TK78-L will still be happening.  I'd really love a keyboard with a left-side numpad, especially a programmable+mechanical one.

It is! I've been working on it as time permits but right now my TK78 time is focused on getting the TK78-R finished up. Look for TK78-L news in January.

[mogo]

Hi!  I am wondering if the TK78-L will still be happening.  I'd really love a keyboard with a left-side numpad, especially a programmable+mechanical one.

You may want to have a look at The Monarch.

[VinnyCordeiro]

Hi!  I am wondering if the TK78-L will still be happening.  I'd really love a keyboard with a left-side numpad, especially a programmable+mechanical one.

You may want to have a look at The Monarch.

The Monarch exclusively uses ALPS switches, the TK78-L will be a Cherry MX board.

[mogo]

True. But if VikG wants a left-hand-num and is curious about the world of Alps, there's something out there right now. Just a suggestion.  )

[VikG]

You may want to have a look at The Monarch.

The Monarch exclusively uses ALPS switches, the TK78-L will be a Cherry MX board.

True. But if VikG wants a left-hand-num and is curious about the world of Alps, there's something out there right now. Just a suggestion.  )

I have seen the Monarch, and it's very attractive, but was hesitant about joining the group buy because a) ALPS, b) high price, c) hoping that the TK78-L will happen.  I am pretty sure that orders have been closed for Monarch for a while now, and I am a little regretful about not having gotten on board.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the TK78-L!

[JeremyFXDWG]

This is something I have been waiting for.

Ive been using my 60% for a while, and I would love to have a number pad, and arrow keys, but without it being much bigger.

I know everyone uses their boards differently. I'd like to just put this layout out there. fundamental changes are outlined in the bluish and yellowish colours.

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/a3f5970aa0dd38aa8c346017564554bf

That is the layout I am looking for as well.

(Attachment Link)

[roadkill54]

Interested

[FoC_Tow]

+1 Very Interesting! 
Not sure if its already to late, but I would be totally in love if arrow key layouts would be supported in Lightsaver like fashion.

okwchin originally posted this layout, leaving out the gap completely which I really like:




Another option could be to just support a full 1u Numpad (and maybe split Backspace) to allow for more options including arrow keys.
This would be a much smaller change only affecting pcb and plate, but still allowing for arrow key layouts!

Like this for example: (quick sketchy mockup)

[UsualSuspectXXX]

More

+1 Very Interesting! 
Not sure if its already to late, but I would be totally in love if arrow key layouts would be supported in Lightsaver like fashion.

okwchin originally posted this layout, leaving out the gap completely which I really like:

Show Image

Another option could be to just support a full 1u Numpad (and maybe split Backspace) to allow for more options including arrow keys.
This would be a much smaller change only affecting pcb and plate, but still allowing for arrow key layouts! :D

Like this for example: (quick sketchy mockup)

Show Image

Pretty sure it's already been stated that they don't want to do a split 0 due to keycap compatibility. I wanted the grid numpad too =/

[romevi]

Neat.