dactyl-manuform/guide/README.org
2016-09-06 21:23:54 +02:00

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* Preparation and Cost
Get all the parts / raw material
- For the 3D printing there are two options:
1. Filament, which is the basis for 3D printing. Luckily I could print at my work-place
which reduced the cost from 210€ to 70€
2. Buy the printout of adareth's model at shapeways for 210€ over here
http://www.shapeways.com/designer/adereth/creations
- 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
- 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.
- 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/
- The main controller (right half)
- A Teensy 2.0, i got that one from here: https://www.pjrc.com/store/teensy.html
- The chip, connectors and cable to give life to the left half
- 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
- MCP23018 16 bitIO Expander
- Got mine from here: http://www.digikey.de/product-search/de?keywords=MCP23018-E%2FSP-ND
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 |
#+TBLFM: @9$2=vsum(@2$2..@8$2)
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
[[workbench.jpg]]
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
#+BEGIN_QUOTE
NOTE: If you only have an Inkjet make photocopies of the print out,
voilà Toner based copies!
#+END_QUOTE
[[http://www.instructables.com/id/Toner-transfer-no-soak-high-quality-double-sided/][Here'sa handy toner transfer guide ...]]
Print these PCB designs out...
Left hand:
[[left-hand-pcb-pyralux.png]]
Right hand:
[[right-hand-pcb-pyralux.png]]
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:
[[madness.jpg]]
Solder the MCP like so:
[[left-hand-mcp-1.jpg]]
[[left-hand-mcp-2.jpg]]
Solder the Teensy 2.0 like so:
[[teensy-1.jpg]]
Some interesting pull up 10k resistor business here... (TODO add a small
diagram and notes)
[[teensy-2-fuxor-reziztorrs.jpg]]
Each hand of the keyboard will wire up like so:
[[right-hand-pcb-1.jpg]]
Teensy goes here... note the rows soldered to the teensy via the
Pyralux:
[[right-hand-pcb-with-teensy.jpg]]
Here the left hand:
[[hotglue-left-hand.jpg]]
That's all for now, this guide will improve over time! (TODO!)