1 yr. ago • 96%

Rolio Progress (it works!)

I’ve been working on a design for a split keyboard that is a hybrid between a Corne and a Sofle.

So fair the electrical and software aspects work, I still need to sort out the chassis.

Some features:

Efficient backlight circuit (at 100% it uses 20mA)
Custom MBK Choc caps from fkcaps.com (the glow is awesome)
~250mAh battery (still low profile as there’s a hole in the PCB for the battery)
Dual EVQ encoders
Fully wireless using Nice Nanos
The layout has MacOS and Windows modes
Choc spacing

Once I’ve got the chassis done and I’ve cleaned everything up a bit I’ll open source it.

Here’s a preview of the chassis design so far:

21 comments

I love the cyberpunk look the have now tbh.

5
- Agreed - the minimal black frame makes the keycaps stand out, especially with that nice glow.
  
  Being able to see the pins on the displays really adds to the aesthetic.
  
  6
  
  It’d be pretty easy for someone to take the design and make a more typical “naked” base plate etc.
  
  I am having trouble getting the chassis to a point that I’m happy with the appearance. I also made some mistakes in the PCB edge cuts that make it harder again. All part of the learning process I guess.
  
  Either way, once done I’d like for this to be at least as robust as any commercial product so that I can put it in a backpack easily/safely
  
  2
Looking great! What are those displays?

3
- Nice!Views, they’re incredibly power efficient.
  
  6
  
  OLED?
  
  3
Beautiful design. I love the casing over the nice view and roller.

2
Very nice indeed!

2
i can’t remember their name right now, but these are the custom MBK caps, yeah? I’ve been designing a similar set, where the layer characters are on the caps. I actually printed up transparent stickers in 2020 with this goal in mind.

Also, what do you have the scrollers mapped to?

2
- Nice, I highly recommend the fk caps guys, really happy with them.
  
  I have an updated set of caps that I’ll order soon, I’m currently tinkering with the backlight glyphs. Still not quite satisfied.
  
  I like your caps idea, I toyed with dye sublimation but then decided against that (clear stickers would have been way easier). Then I saw a link to FK caps somewhere and gave it a go.
  
  My encoders are mostly mapped to arrow keys. But, here’s the current map (it’s derived from my Corne’s map):
  
  https://pastebin.com/9XRqkKYH
  
  2
  
  I have an updated set of caps that I’ll order soon, I’m currently tinkering with the backlight glyphs. Still not quite satisfied.
  
  Do you know if their system allows to share designs as a starting point? I know you can save for later.
  
  I like your caps idea, I toyed with dye sublimation but then decided against that (clear stickers would have been way easier).
  
  Thanks! I was happy-ish with the result. I created the font from a handwritten script I use when I send greeting cards. I didn’t find a way to keep the ink from rubbing off though, so they never lasted very long. I tried lacquering them, but likely didn’t do a very good job - I can be aggravatingly impatient.
  
  My encoders are mostly mapped to arrow keys.
  
  I think that’s almost what I’d do too - I’d like an easier way to select text when composing email/whatever, so I dream of a single key whole-word select function. I’d map it to a (variable) shift arrow, depending on whether I’m on the MacBook or the windows box.
  
  Side note - I noticed your map has both windows and Mac specific commands - I didn’t know that was possible. Are these separate layers, or is the keyboard somehow aware of the OS it is attached to?
  
  2
Damn that's amazing. Looking forward to details.

2
Looks super nice. Why did you decide on this design?

2
- Thanks.
  
  I took hand measurements using the following:
  
  https://pashutk.com/ergopad/
  
  As it turns out the Corne is very close to my best layout.
  
  I like the Corne, except it has no backlight, arrows are not very convenient (hence scrollers). I also move between Mac and windows, the extra modifiers on the Sofle make that easier.
  
  In the end I’ve basically got a Sofle/Corne hybrid with scrollers and a backlight.
  
  2
Jesus, you people are crazy, it looks so cool 🙃

1
- Thanks.
  
  The time and cost exceeds any practical advantage, so, yeah, a little crazy is about right I guess.
  
  1
  
  Not everything needs to be about practicality. Even tho I don't really understand the world of "ergo mech keyboards" I deeply admire the passion and creativity flourishing from this community. Cheers to you!
  
  3

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