So I started months ago to design my own board.
This design have gone through more than 10 revisions, as I always had new ideas that I wanted to incorporate into my PCB. I wanted this board to be as flexible (in terms of layout possibilities) as possible. So I spent some time reading many other threads about custom 60% PCBs and added some ideas of mine and reached these specs for the board:
- * Support for ANSI, ISO, JIS and ABNT2;
* Split Backspace key;
* Split Shift keys. The left one is split as on ISO standard, but the right one you can choose to split as on JIS (1×1 - 1×1.75) or as on HHKB (1×1.75 - 1×1);
* Stepped and non-stepped Caps Lock support;
This was the part of the design that gave me more work. I wanted to give full support to JIS layout, even if no Japanese will ever use this board: I thought that this could still be useful, the extra keys can be configured as extra Fn keys.
That said, that are all bottom row configurations this PCB support:
- * ANSI 1.25 (standard)
* ANSI 1.5 (full 1.5 mod, winkeyless or HHKB)
* ANSI 1.5 variant, with an extra 1×1 key and using a 6× spacebar
* JIS, with 3 extra keys.
- * An ANSI 1.5 variation, with 3 1×1.25 JIS keys and an extra 1×1 at the right side of the spacebar, which is 1×2.25;
* An ANSI 1.25 variation, with all keys but the spacebar and a 1×1 key measuring 1×1.25. The spacebar is 1×2.75.
After some time researching my options, I'm going to run the upcoming GB through CircuitHub. That way we avoid the recent PayPal issues and, at the same time, solve the problem of shipping, which will also be handled by CircuitHub.
The MOQ is 50 PCB's, costing $50 + shipping, but if I gather sufficient support it can be $40 + shipping with a MOQ of 100 PCB's. That must be decided at the GB setup, as CircuitHub do not have support for price tiers.
The PCBs will have assembled SMD components at CircuitHub. The microcontroller will be the reliable Atmel ATmega32U4, using TMK keyboard firmware - a basic firmware will be flashed by CircuitHub. The PCB can be fitted on any Poker-style case.
What the hell does means AUNK?
Aunk is a small hamlet in East Devon, England. But for us, AUNK means AWESOME United Nations Keyboard, as this board can be used by any person on this planet in their native keyboard layout.
Drawings showing the possibilities of this PCB:
Split backspace:
ANSI/ISO enter:
Split Shift keys:
Bottom row:
FAQ
This is a personal project, why are you posting it here?
Because I believe that it could be useful for someone out there. No one is forced to buy it. And I know it isn't perfect.
Does it supports LEDs?
No, but only because I'm still researching more about it. I myself don't like switch LED's, but I may add support for it in the not so near future.
Does it have a Caps Lock LED?
No. That is a change that can be easily made if there is enough interest, though.
This is a Cherry MX board. Can you add ALPS support?
Not right now. I believe I can add support for both, but that would require a major overhaul on the PCB. If enough people think that this is a deal breaker, I can postpone the beginning of the GB for those changes.
Will this GB have cases/plates/keycaps/switches/stabilizers included?
No, this GB is exclusive for the PCB.
Is there any positive news on this FAQ?
Of course! I made an effort to use only standard keycaps (although I do have included support for 6u spacebars), so you can have a bottom row with up to 3 extra keys, all using standard sized keycaps. As long as you don't mind legends at the "wrong" places you will be good. Or you could use blanks.
