4.8 KiB
Preparation and Cost
Get all the parts / raw material
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For the 3D printing there are two options:
- Filament, which is the basis for 3D printing. Luckily I could print at my work-place which reduced the cost from 210€ to 70€
- Buy the printout of adareth's model at shapeways for 210€ over here http://www.shapeways.com/designer/adereth/creations
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Decide on the switches
- If you are going to invest a whole lot of time and money for a custom keyboard instead of buying one for 10€ I'd recommend to use your favorite switch-type. To make a well-informed decision I bought a switch-tester for this from massdrop and decided on Cherry MX Whites. https://www.massdrop.com/buy/varmilo-switch-tester-with-anodized-case
- I ordered 70 Cherry MX Whites from here: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=847
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Decide on the key caps
- On the glamour-Shot you can see the 1976 keycap set, it used to be sold over here: http://pimpmykeyboard.com/sa-1976-keycap-set/ but the link is dead right now. You could try this link: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/nineteenseventysix-sa-keycap-set but it is a massdrop which is way different from usual online-stores. If you find a site that sells these make sure you get the right amount and type of keys according to the layout
- I got the "TKL Base Set + TKL Modifier" from over here: http://pimpmykeyboard.com/dsa-pbt-abs-blank-keycap-sets/ but I'm still too long keys short, I will have to order those specifically and I have a bunch of keys I don't use left-over.
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The USB-Cable that connects the keyboard to your computer
- It's an USB 2.0 to USB Mini-B cable, make sure you get one that is 2 meters long, it really makes handling the keyboard so much more comfortable
- https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00NH11N5A/
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The main controller (right half)
- A Teensy 2.0, i got that one from here: https://www.pjrc.com/store/teensy.html
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The chip, connectors and cable to give life to the left half
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TTRS cable and jacks
- Got my TTRS cable from here: http://www.digikey.de/product-search/de?keywords=839-1257-ND
- Got my TTRS jacks from here: http://www.digikey.de/product-search/de?keywords=CP-43514-ND
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MCP23018 16 bitIO Expander
- Got mine from here: http://www.digikey.de/product-search/de?keywords=MCP23018-E%2FSP-ND
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What I spend on my keyboard (should give you a rough estimate for your build):
| item | cost |
|---|---|
| filament | 70 |
| switch-tester | 30 |
| key-caps | 70 |
| teensy 2.0 | 30 |
| switches | 60 |
| usb cable | 10 |
| IO Expander, TTRS jacks and cable | 30 |
| overall cost | 300 |
My choices / advantages:
- Using the soldering iron at the uni-workshop for free
- 76 Diodes for free
- Soldering wire and copper for free
- All the resistors used for free (5 resistors are used)
- Several files for working out the rough edges of the 3D-printout
Depending on what you have available you might spend more or less money than me, 300€ however is a good rough estimate.
Dactyl Flexible PCB Rough Guide
For now, take a look at the images and try to figure things out, I know
that's not great (it's better than nothing!)
Making the PCB
Get two sheets of 6in square Pyralux™. Use the Toner Transfer method to etch the Pyralux sheets as you would a usual PCB
NOTE: If you only have an Inkjet make photocopies of the print out, voilà Toner based copies!
Here'sa handy toner transfer guide …
Print these PCB designs out…
Left hand:
Right hand:
When you're done etching, you'll need to carefully cut the pcb into pieces… See the images below.
This is Madness…
The thumb cluster pcb for the left hand:
Solder the MCP like so:
Solder the Teensy 2.0 like so:
Some interesting pull up 10k resistor business here… (TODO add a small diagram and notes)
Each hand of the keyboard will wire up like so:
Teensy goes here… note the rows soldered to the teensy via the
Pyralux:
Here the left hand:
That's all for now, this guide will improve over time! (TODO!)