Scratch-build plexi keyboard?

[AmEv]

I've always wondered what it would take to build a custom keyboard.

I've got a few older keyboards I can rip apart to experiment with. And quite a bit of plexi.



My idea is to cut out (carefully) three sides, and then (VERY carefully) thin out the top. Then a little nub to be able to touch the contacts.

I'll have a plan in SketchUp, and it'll be easy to throw together.


Oh, and of course, EL panel for lighting....

*This is a quick throw-together of what I had in mind.... (http://ubuntuone.com/7gi20RHGKfloW6frnbxEMS)

[TLHarrell]

Sounds like a pain in the butt to do without a laser cutter. I'm not sure the keys would flex quite enough with the entire edge still attached. There are other cool ways to make it flexible though. Take a look at this: Hackaday.com (http://hackaday.com/2011/12/07/laser-cutting-technique-makes-plywood-bendable/)

[AmEv]

Well, found out that the link is dead for whatever reason.....

I found my file in the Recycle Bin!

Refresh and try again.



IMMA CHARGIN UP MAH LAZAH!

Seriously though, you do have a point. Wonder if I could Dremel out a test piece?

[Twigsoffury]

if you gave it two arms instead of one full side, it ought to flex correctly.

well until it falls apart from repeated use LOL

[AmEv]

OK, scratch pure plexi idea.

Maybe plexi/aluminum?

[Neodymium]

Aluminum shell with plexi keys, backlit :up:

[AmEv]

You know you've got a good keyboard when two cables are going to the computer from it ;)

I'm going to find an old keyboard to do this with. Then SketchUp out the mesh.

[Neodymium]

I have to learn to use sketchup....big time...lots of ideas but without proper visualization, paper isn't always going help :)

[AmEv]

If you're a student, I'd also recommend getting Inventor.

[Neodymium]

My student days are long gone, my friend...:D I wish I was...I'm looking for something maybe like Corel Draw...I remember that from about...hmmm....18 years ago...LOL

[TLHarrell]

Take a photo of the keyboard before disassembly. Open it up in GIMP or Photoshop and turn the brightness way up so it's like 10% visible, 90% white. Print that out and you can sketch over top of it as a guide.

[d_stilgar]

I've got autocad and access to a laser cutter. The only thing is, the laser cutter is for school work only, so I always try and sneak my personal stuff in with my school stuff when cutting. It works pretty well most of the time, and I can also do "portfolio stuff," but I just don't want to abuse it and get on the shop foreman's bad side.

[AmEv]

My shop teacher's bad side?

It's ugly.




I learned that one the semi-easy way.

Some kid was saying "Your class stinks, your rules suck", etc, and meant it.
AND was being deliberately reckless.


Sad part is? It didn't faze the kid, despite the fact that he exploded. He seemed about ready to slug the kid hard. (only thing that stopped him was the realization that it would cost him his job)


I weep for my generation.
(While there are some good people, I weep with them.)

[Twigsoffury]

http://i42.tinypic.com/fml06u.jpg


Thar's my idea for flexi-keys made out of only acrylic, the two pieces on either side would flex up and down whenever you pressed it.

But like i said i'm not exactly sure it would be the most durable thing ever constructed.

[TLHarrell]

I've got autocad and access to a laser cutter. The only thing is, the laser cutter is for school work only, so I always try and sneak my personal stuff in with my school stuff when cutting. It works pretty well most of the time, and I can also do "portfolio stuff," but I just don't want to abuse it and get on the shop foreman's bad side.

I have Autocad 2000 and a laser cutter in my garage. Might have to cut a test sample of the key tonight just for kicks. I don't think that geometry will work.

[AmEv]

I'll try to download ACAD tonight.

[TLHarrell]

A good article to read http://hackaday.com/2012/02/15/building-a-keyboard-from-scratch/ if you haven't seen it already.

[AmEv]

It's ON!

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28522

[TLHarrell]

Saw this on Adafruit's blog today. Thought it would be worth looking into as far as making a piece of sheet material flexible enough to press.

http://www.adafruit.com/adablog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/cellphone.jpg

Also, that would make for some sick looking interface for my TRON theme build. I'll have to think over what additional buttons on the case would be for. I'd probably render it in frosted plexi with blue or UV LED lighting.