Sought after case and plate features.

[Melvang]

Alright guys, I am working on my own custom case/plate/pcb design.  I am not going to divulge all details yet, as I need to get them hammered out and get a functional prototype and that is a long ways off.  But I thought I would get some feed back.

What would be a defining case/plate feature that you would throw money at the interwebz to have?

Would anyone be interested in a modular layout?  What I mean is blocks of characters can be moved around in the design layout.  From a full set of parts, you could potentially go from a 40% all the way up to 153 keys which would be a full size layout with the 7bit layout in the arrows, the extra 4 keys above the number pad, and another 6x6 matrix, but you can put blocks where ever you like, for example, you could have a standard full size layout with arrows/navigation cluster on the left with number pad on the right or vice versa, and have the option of putting the 6x6 matrix anywhere in there you like.  Parts are removable, want just a TKL with arrows/nav cluster on the left totally doable.

[fohat.digs]

Whenever I fiddle with anything except an M/F, I am astonished at the "profile" thing where the keys are all different depending on the row that they are supposed to live on.

A curved plate that allowed one profile to rule them all would be an essential in my book.

[Melvang]

Whenever I fiddle with anything except an M/F, I am astonished at the "profile" thing where the keys are all different depending on the row that they are supposed to live on.

A curved plate that allowed one profile to rule them all would be an essential in my book.

That is already a planned feature.  You would even be able to switch between curved and flat between rows.  You could do flat for number row down and then flat for the F row.

Also, different setups like that can be done between different blocks.  For instance take a full sized layout with number pad on the left side.   You could do flat profile for number pad, curved for alphas, then flat again for arrows/nav cluster.

[ileben]

Whenever I fiddle with anything except an M/F, I am astonished at the "profile" thing where the keys are all different depending on the row that they are supposed to live on.

A curved plate that allowed one profile to rule them all would be an essential in my book.

That is already a planned feature.  You would even be able to switch between curved and flat between rows.  You could do flat for number row down and then flat for the F row.

Also, different setups like that can be done between different blocks.  For instance take a full sized layout with number pad on the left side.   You could do flat profile for number pad, curved for alphas, then flat again for arrows/nav cluster.

That sounds awesome and reminds me of R.A.T. mice http://madcatz.com/products/mouse/ The engineering to achieve this in a keyboard seems pretty challenging though, I'm curious about your solution, it definitely sounds ambitious.

[Leslieann]

While it's a nice idea, there are some issues with it. Cost being the most obvious, not only is it more cuts, but more screws, more mounting holes and of course more complexity. All this adds to the cost of the final product, and that is just the plate and case, you will have to deal with the switches themselves and the PCB they attach to. Adjusting between each row is also  nice, but again adds even more complexity and could remove stiffness from the assembly. Another problem is keycaps, though this is not super difficult, just a mater of buying in enough bulk.

As for must haves for me...
Removable switch tops, VERY stiff frame and plate, and adjustable feet. Why do so many aftermarket cases lack foot adjustment when a $5 off the shelf keyboard has them. Granted, I know the reason (cost), which is exactly a problem you will face as well. Do you save the $10 and skip, or pass the price onto the customer ($30 or more).

[Melvang]

While it's a nice idea, there are some issues with it. Cost being the most obvious, not only is it more cuts, but more screws, more mounting holes and of course more complexity. All this adds to the cost of the final product, and that is just the plate and case, you will have to deal with the switches themselves and the PCB they attach to. Adjusting between each row is also  nice, but again adds even more complexity and could remove stiffness from the assembly. Another problem is keycaps, though this is not super difficult, just a mater of buying in enough bulk.

As for must haves for me...
Removable switch tops, VERY stiff frame and plate, and adjustable feet. Why do so many aftermarket cases lack foot adjustment when a $5 off the shelf keyboard has them. Granted, I know the reason (cost), which is exactly a problem you will face as well. Do you save the $10 and skip, or pass the price onto the customer ($30 or more).

I understand your concern with the potential stiffness and cost issues..  The only parts that would be professionally manufactured will be the plates (individual plate for each row  of each area), and the pcbs (again individual pcb for each row in each block), the other parts will be made by me once I get my mill.  Also stiffness won't be an issue with what I am making the plates from. 

Though the one downside for some people is this design will only support plate mount stabs due to space constraints on the pcbs according to my initial numbers.  This may change once I have parts in hand.

[SamirD]

This sounds like a really cool project.  I think modularity, while expensive, would enable a single end-game keyboard for all--want a full size, add on the arrows and num pad.  Need a keyboard on the road, grab just the 40/60% part of it.  It would be one keyboard for all even if each part would be relatively expensive.

[Melvang]

This sounds like a really cool project.  I think modularity, while expensive, would enable a single end-game keyboard for all--want a full size, add on the arrows and num pad.  Need a keyboard on the road, grab just the 40/60% part of it.  It would be one keyboard for all even if each part would be relatively expensive.

While my design is modular, changing layout is not going to be that quick.  Changing layout will require soldering, unless sip sockets are used.  Even then some hand tools will be required to work on it.

[ideus]

This is interesting, looking forward to see the prototype.