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diff --git a/Custom keyboard V2/index.md b/Custom keyboard V2/index.md new file mode 100755 index 0000000..eb5c182 --- /dev/null +++ b/Custom keyboard V2/index.md @@ -0,0 +1,174 @@ +--- +description: Adjustable column position, thumb clusters +created: 2024-01-24 +--- + +Checkout [V1 of this keyboard](https://blog.node5.net/Custom%20keyboard/). + + + +### Parts list +- [aliexpress.com/ - Horizontal scrollers EVQWGD001](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32990950196.html) +- [keychron.com - Gateron Low Profile 2.0 Mechanical Switch](https://www.keychron.com/products/low-profile-gateron-mechanical-switch-set?variant=40587643355225) +- [keychron.com - Keychron Low Profile Mechanical Switch](https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-low-profile-mechanical-switch?variant=40561882595417) + +With the first edition i validated that i like ortholinear layout, this enables me to offset the columns relative to +each other, but i cannot settle on how much to offset it, therefore i got the idea to make it adjustable, +I've not seen this done before. + + + + +The keyboard base will have GPIO + I²C pulled out on a connector, allowing any kind of expansion +I'll make the following modules: trackpoint, mouse buttons, thumb clusters, rollers for vertical scrolling and volume. + +### Desiging a switch holder + + +### Trackpoint + + +The trackpoint module is a PS/2 device, see [QMK documentation](https://docs.qmk.fm/#/feature_ps2_mouse) and +[Trackpoint pinout](https://deskthority.net/wiki/TrackPoint_Hardware) + +### Height + + +### Keycaps + + +To print legends, multi color on the same layer see this cool blog: +[Creating a Keyboard - docs.juliaebert.com](https://docs.juliaebert.com/projects/keyboard#making-them-prettier) + +### Switches + + +[product page](https://www.gateron.co/products/gateron-low-profile-mechanical-switch-set) + + + +I ought to use a PCB for this, but that doesn't play nice with my rapid proto typing. + + + + +Testing if this method can be manufactured on my 3D printer, it's only 2 lines wide. + +### 3D printed "PCB" feasability +![3D printed "PCB" feasability test](3D printed "PCB" feasability test.jpg) + +### Other keyboards with adjustable columns +Apparently I'm not the first to think of adjustable columns, bummer see this +[ReSummit/Seismos GitHub repo](https://github.com/ReSummit/Seismos) +And this [nezumee/zebra GitHub repo](https://github.com/nezumee/zebra) + +### Design goals +- Low profile +- Modular additions +- Indents for anti slip feet, to keep it low profile +- Joinable halves perhaps +- Tactile difference for different types of keys + - Smaller function key row + - Concave and convex keys, to indicate type + - Lots of homing indicators + +### Meta +This article is more of a timeline of how it actually happened, +by meerly appending, instead of going back, and changing stuff + +### Column module prototype + + + + + + + +### Printing Keycaps + + +Again, printed on its side for greater dimensional accuracy + +### Thumb cluster design vision +Came across this really cool keyboard called Dygma Defy +[youtube.com - video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-h5RVu_HBA) +[dygma.com - Blog post](https://dygma.com/blogs/product-development/how-we-developed-the-defys-16-thumbkeys) +they show their design iterations on thumb clusters they seem to align with what i envisioned, +namely ergonomically shaped buttons, which is possible due to the 3D printing manufacturing. They've done lots + + +### GPIO expander chip ordered +Ordered an [MCP23017](https://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/devicedoc/20001952c.pdf) +I²C GPIO expander in [DIP28](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_in-line_package) +package format. To use on the left side of the keyboard. + + +### Layout designed + + +This layout avoids having 2 unit wide buttons, which would interfere with the column sliding mechanism. +Instead these buttons are moved to 2 thumb clusters. Which i I'm eager to try out. + + +### Prototype pile + + +Here's the pile of prototypes it took to get a satisfying and functional mechanism and keycaps. + + +### Module wired + + + + +Soldered up the first module. I used stranded wire due to metal fatigue. This methodology seems to be feasible. +I'm going to add pin header connectors to connect it to the board, so it can be disconnected and the module removed. +Spanning the top is gonna be a prototype board PCB with all the diodes, connectors for modules, DIP28 GPIO expander and +the TRRS headphone jack. + + +### Modules for left side printed + + +Done printing and cleaning up all the modules for the left side. + + + + +Printed the bottom for the left side it unfortunately bent slightly when the modules were put in place, +even tho i was patient letting it cool down after printing. I held it over the stove, and counter bend it. +Then placed it on a flat surface. Which fixed the curve. + + + +Planned out the circuit diagram for the left side of the keyboard, everything fit really nicely. +I'm excited to make it a reality. The top features pin headers for each sliding module. Which has 6 pins, 1 for the +column, and 5 for the rows. The rows are connected to the diodes, which bridge the gap to their respective colored bus +bars on the bottom side. Which forms a natural ╲ ╲ ╲ ╲ ╲ pattern. The columns have busbars on the bottom left side. +Both bus bar clusters are terminated in 2 flex cable connections, one for the GPIO expander chip, and one for a male pin +header for testing and debugging, it's also pin compatible with my old keyboard, allowing me to do an agile partial +goal, and get success feeling of trying it out, motivating me to keep working, and getting to test it +before i add to many variables and unknowns, which could lead to multiple failure points, +making me have to debug multiple possible error sources at the same time. There's 2 rows of connection points next to +the debug connector, which is a fine place to extend the connection on to thumb cluster module, which differs because it +has the diodes on the module as opposed to on the circuit board. It has 1 pin for the row, and the rest for the columns. +Because it's wired up like it was a row at the bottom of the keyboard. Finally the headphone jack fits in the top +right corner, pointing upwards, since there's already going to be the cables from the sliding modules looping that way. + + +### Circuit board initial test + + + + +Painted the circuit board, to indicate where the busbars on the bottom are routed. +Wired up a test setup to test the first 4x4 buttons, and it works, yay ^-^ + + + +## Full stop +So up to this point, i had the intention of making this into a full hand wired keyboard. +But I don't like how the wires at the top ended up looking, +so I've chosen to cut my losses and use my prototype to decide how I want the offsets to be, +and as a test bed to remove my last few unknowns, namely, thumb cluster and I/O expander chip. +I should have cut more corners, to test the core concept, before spending time, on the niceties. \ No newline at end of file |