Would it be possible to produce a Topre compatible PCB

[Air tree]

What are the main differences between a topre PCB and ones that the community creates, of course there are some, but I'm quite curious if it's possible to do so in a group buy sense, or is the design pretty much a topre exclusive one?


I was pondering if it was possible to produce a HHKB pcb that was just slightly longer on the bottom row (4mm or so) for compatibility with 6.25u cherry mx spacebar, only a thought, I was just thinking about such a thing to a pair along with the Wooden HHKB case I'm going to get some CADS done for in the coming months. Just thinking of possible case design modifications I could do...

[kasakka]

A lot harder in many ways as the Topre is capacitive so the PCB design is a lot more complex to begin with and the other issue is sourcing the relevant parts.

[joey]

It's definitely possible. Just harder than MX.

People are working on it, it'll just be some time until a full board appears.

[xtrafrood]

I would guess it would require some extensive PCB prototyping. But not impossible.

[FoC_Tow]

An hhkb style mx pcb, or an actual topre pcb?

Making an actual topre hhkb pcb with 6.25 space support would (while definitely possible) not be compatible with an hhkb case.

Are you planning on doing a custom wooden hhkb case?
Topre boards need holes in the upper plate to guide/hold the plungers.
This makes designing an hhkb case a lot more difficult and requires more precision then doing an regular mx wooden case.
Not sure if having guide holes drilled into wood is a good idea at all tbh.

[Air tree]

An hhkb style mx pcb, or an actual topre pcb?

Making an actual topre hhkb pcb with 6.25 space support would (while definitely possible) not be compatible with an hhkb case.

Are you planning on doing a custom wooden hhkb case?
Topre boards need holes in the upper plate to guide/hold the plungers.
This makes designing an hhkb case a lot more difficult and requires more precision then doing an regular mx wooden case.
Not sure if having guide holes drilled into wood is a good idea at all tbh.

I'm thinking quite heavily on the matter, it's going to be a few months before I have the needed resources, but I will talk to some CNC shops on the  matter and get their opinion on how feasible the design would be.


I'm contemplating if I move forward far enough and get a good prototype I'll see if there is any community interest, probably with a 6.25u support case and a regular 6u options. (If I could get a PCB compatible for a 6.25u spacebar, it would entirely depend on if a decent amount of people were interested in a group buy for those things.


I'll get some try to get some CADs done when I get some extra cash on hand to spend on things like that.


I'm aware at that it is a pretty complex design to do, but I'm still going try and move forward with something soon.

[hasu]

You will see RF64 in the end, no technical obstacle, I think. It just depends on cost or demand.