The Dactyl-ManuForm Keyboard

This is a fork of the Dactyl, a parameterized, split-hand, concave, columnar, ergonomic keyboard.

The main change is that the thumb cluster was adapted from the ManuForm keyboard (geekhack). The walls were changed to just drop to the floor. The keyboard is paramaterized to allow the following:

• Rows: 4 - 6
• Columns: 5 and up
• Row curvature
• Column curvature
• Row tilt (tenting)
• Column tilt
• Column offsets

I plan to try the 4x6 version or maybe the 4x5 version. The default has more tenting than the Dactyl. See the following model files for configurations that may be most common:

• 4x5
• 4x6
• 5x6
• 6x6

This is still a work in progress. I have not started on wiring, and I don't know if everything fits. The pinky columns and the thumb cluster doesn't fit right together for my hands. I need to offset the pinkies more (like the ManuForm) or rotate the thumb keys a bit.

I plan to use a Teensy 2++ in each half. Then, I have enough channels to wire straight to each key switch. Diodes are not needed. Then, I can connect them with a serial connection, and adapt the QMK firmware for the Let's split keyboard that implements this approach. Each half can be master.

This doesn't have a bottom. It has hex holes designed for 9- or 10-mm long M3 female-female spacers. Then, I can use a M3 wafer-head screws to connect a bottom plate. If wires aren't dangling, a bottom plate may not be needed.

Assembly

Generating a Design

Setting up the Clojure environment

• Install the Clojure runtime
• Install the Leiningen project manager
• Install OpenSCAD

Generating the design

• Run lein repl
• Load the file (load-file "src/dactyl_keyboard/dactyl.clj")
• This will regenerate the things/*.scad files
• Use OpenSCAD to open a .scad file.
• Make changes to design, repeat load-file, OpenSCAD will watch for changes and rerender.
• When done, use OpenSCAD to export STL files

Tips

• Some other ways to evaluate the clojure design file
• Example designing with clojure

Printing

Pregenerated STL files are available in the things/ directory.

Wiring

Masks for the flexible PCBs I used are available for the left and right side.

A very rough guide for the brave is here - It will be improved over time (TODO)!

License

Copyright © 2015 Matthew Adereth

The source code for generating the models (everything excluding the things/ and resources/ directories is distributed under the GNU AFFERO GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3. The generated models and PCB designs are distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License Version 3.0.