[IC] Minitomic - Update april 17th (happening pretty soon!)

[.]

The Minitomic is a 45% staggered keyboard which I've been working on over the last few months.
Before getting a prototype made and opening a group buy, I'd like to get your feedback on the design.

Some information:
- Tray mounted design with 8 mounting points
- High profile one piece anodized aluminium case
- QMK compatible PCB
- Brass or aluminium 1.5mm plate
- European switch spacing^tm (19mm)
- USB-C Connector
- Angle of 5 degrees
- Capslock indicator under tab key
- Reset button under left shift key
- Fully designed by me

Anodization colors are to be determined, but will likely include black, silver and dark gray.
The price will hopefully be around 100-150 USD for a kit which includes a case, pcb and plate.


Supported layouts
These are the supported layouts right now, but let me know if you think it's missing something! KLE link



More renders









Thanks to janglad for the render at the top of this post
The keyset shown is DSA Just Beige by PrimeKB.

UPDATE 23/03/19
The prototype from china is here! It's looking really good

Click the picture for the album.

[pngu]

nice

[William_S_Jones]

I like it & that’s a great price!


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[duckboi]

19mm spacing will have some keycaps scratch each other, just look at the E6-V2.
There's a reason why that standard is in place.

[westfoxtrot]

in for one 

[pngu]

19mm spacing will have some keycaps scratch each other, just look at the E6-V2.
There's a reason why that standard is in place.

That seems like an issue specific to that board. All OLKB stuff has 19mm spacing and I personally had a prototype manufactured recently that didn't have any issue like that, too.

Edit: Not to mention the 356mini, but those are tolerances that aren't easily achieved in manufacture.

[ChrisSwires]

45%? Staggered? 7u space option?

Guess I'll maybe be interested perhaps.

[nasp]

Guess I'll maybe be interested perhaps.

That has to be the most unhelpful and indecisive "interest" in a project! 

[MikeTheTiger]

Color me interested. Looks great!!

[ChrisSwires]

Guess I'll maybe be interested perhaps.

That has to be the most unhelpful and indecisive "interest" in a project! 

Haha, he knows I'm in. I have a tendency to buy every staggered 40. An unfortunate consequence of being me.

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[long_qt_pie]

Nice price point and I like the layout.  Only suggestion would be in one of the split space layouts, to swap the shift and left most FN to have the FN between the two “spaces”

[Haaaaaandrew]

Looks neat, interested if I have money when it happens. Would love to see the 7u option be 1.5/1.5/7/1.5/1.5 for that sweet, sweet symmetry and to me feels right to use 1.5s with 7u

[.]

Thanks for the feedback so far! I'm glad so many of you like it 

I've seen some interest in USB C though, is that something you guys want? I can definitely change that in the design.

[William_S_Jones]

Guess I'll maybe be interested perhaps.

That has to be the most unhelpful and indecisive "interest" in a project! 

Haha, he knows I'm in. I have a tendency to buy every staggered 40. An unfortunate consequence of being me.

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Chris, believe I will be joining too!!!


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[Draic]

I've seen some interest in USB C though, is that something you guys want? I can definitely change that in the design.

Remember that only changing the connector will only work for USB-C to A but extra care is needed to ensure USB C to C works

[.]

I've seen some interest in USB C though, is that something you guys want? I can definitely change that in the design.

Remember that only changing the connector will only work for USB-C to A but extra care is needed to ensure USB C to C works

Yes, I am aware that I need to add some resistors

[puddingfarmer]

I am breaking my long tradition of lurking-only to voice my support.

[MikeTheTiger]

I second USB C 

[William_S_Jones]

I second USB C 

10-4, me too


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[MikeTheTiger]

USB C to A support is fine for a keyboard.

[Parva Ovis]

USB C, please.

[Draic]

Nice price point and I like the layout.  Only suggestion would be in one of the split space layouts, to swap the shift and left most FN to have the FN between the two “spaces”

good idea. The left half of the split spacebar is quite short and far the the right (compared with the normal spacebars). Swapping positions with FN would definitely move it's position to a more convenient location.

[.]

Nice price point and I like the layout.  Only suggestion would be in one of the split space layouts, to swap the shift and left most FN to have the FN between the two “spaces”

good idea. The left half of the split spacebar is quite short and far the the right (compared with the normal spacebars). Swapping positions with FN would definitely move it's position to a more convenient location.

I put them where they are because the fn keys are closer to the thumbs, which is nice. I will also do USB-C

[RivieraS]

cant waitttttt

[Draic]

Nice price point and I like the layout.  Only suggestion would be in one of the split space layouts, to swap the shift and left most FN to have the FN between the two “spaces”

good idea. The left half of the split spacebar is quite short and far the the right (compared with the normal spacebars). Swapping positions with FN would definitely move it's position to a more convenient location.

I put them where they are because the fn keys are closer to the thumbs, which is nice. I will also do USB-C

Ye now having a keyboard in front of me, I agree. Position is fine, it looked just a bit off for me on the render. Still more layout options is always nice :3

[PaultheSloth]

I'm in for one, any limit on units?

[.]

I'm in for one, any limit on units?

Hopefully not

[William_S_Jones]

I am breaking my long tradition of lurking-only to voice my support.

Great, this will make up for the standard layout JD45 that I sold a while back & I’m glad you will be offering more than just black & silver cases!!!!


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[RivieraS]

Hi Leader，I really want this

[RivieraS]

1、minila layout
2、2.25，2.75 spaces
3、left side 1.25，1.25，1.25，increase availability, fault-tolerance
4、right side 1，1，1，1.25，

[RivieraS]

And add brass weight versions please

[William_S_Jones]

1、minila layout
2、2.25，2.75 spaces
3、left side 1.25，1.25，1.25，including availability, fault-tolerance
4、right side 1，1，1，1.25，

Believe I saw some layouts that can help
@ work, so please give me an hour or two


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[.]

Hi Leader，I really want this

I have added it but needed to move the reset button to the left shift. Thanks for the suggestion

[.]

And add brass weight versions please

I will not do that because it will make the price higher, and this board is meant to be affordable.

[RivieraS]

what about electrophoresis white？

[RivieraS]

I would like increase badge or logo design

[.]

I would like increase badge or logo design

What do you mean by 'increase'?

[RivieraS]

I would like increase badge or logo design

What do you mean by 'increase'?

I hope the keyboard have a badge or nametag

[dilbertprogrammer]

Looks great!  Count me in!

[William_S_Jones]

maartenwut
PM’ed you, not sure if some of what was sent can increase the price you are going for, but hope it helps


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[.]

maartenwut
PM’ed you, not sure if some of what was sent can increase the price you are going for, but hope it helps


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It's unlikely it will increase the price, but I think that's a bit much of compatibility. I don't want to turn it into swiss cheese and I'm sorry I can't cover every layout.

[William_S_Jones]

maartenwut
PM’ed you, not sure if some of what was sent can increase the price you are going for, but hope it helps


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It's unlikely it will increase the price, but I think that's a bit much of compatibility. I don't want to turn it into swiss cheese and I'm sorry I can't cover every layout.

Understood, figured it would help if had any other layout ideas.


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[child]

Nice price point and I like the layout.  Only suggestion would be in one of the split space layouts, to swap the shift and left most FN to have the FN between the two “spaces”

good idea. The left half of the split spacebar is quite short and far the the right (compared with the normal spacebars). Swapping positions with FN would definitely move it's position to a more convenient location.

I'm strongly against the idea of putting FN in the middle. I love split space, but small key in the middle forces a very unnatural wrist movement. When I had such a layout (DZ60 with 2.25, 1.25, 2.75 split space) it was so bad the middle key was basically unused.

[.]

Alright, I finished routing the PCB today. Do note that this is not final 

Front



Back

[William_S_Jones]

Alright, I finished routing the PCB today. Do note that this is not final 

Front

Show Image

Back

Show Image

Nice, I like it!


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[.]

Alright, I finished routing the PCB today. Do note that this is not final 

Front

Show Image

Back

Show Image

Nice, I like it!


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I'll probably slap some silkscreen art on it too, have to decide what exactly

[William_S_Jones]

Alright, I finished routing the PCB today. Do note that this is not final 

Front

Show Image

Back

Show Image

Nice, I like it!


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I'll probably slap some silkscreen art on it too, have to decide what exactly

Great, can you provide us w/ your silkscreen ideas or do we have to wait & see?


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[.]

Alright, I finished routing the PCB today. Do note that this is not final 

Front

Show Image

Back

Show Image

Nice, I like it!


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I'll probably slap some silkscreen art on it too, have to decide what exactly

Great, can you provide us w/ your silkscreen ideas or do we have to wait & see?


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I got nothing yet unfortunately. Suggestions are welcome

[William_S_Jones]

What theme do you want?


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[William_S_Jones]

Believe this is the best bet, an image of the available layouts on the PCB


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