Raffle ResultsThe official update on the Raffle results: There were 213 entries, whose order have been randomised. Every participant should have received an anonymized raffle id. The top 100 entries & their orders are posted here:
https://bit.ly/2FsxHck Batch 1 (spots 1-22) has been fully shipped. Batch 2 is up to spot 50, and will be processed throughout April.
Note that some dropouts have been removed, so your spot might have improved since the end of the raffle.
Once batch 2 has been completed, extras & b-stock will be offered to those in spots 50-75.
Introduction & MotivationThis is a GB for an
HHKB-Alice-like aluminum case (+PCBs & other extras). The name
BMEK stands for
Bemeier Ergonomic Keyboard.
I’ve
documented the progress of this design in the Making Stuff Together forums since October 2019.
In July 2020, I've started the
IC thread, which yielded a number of refinements over the original design...
- Multiple layout options
- A pretty nice selection of anodization colors
- A flex- & half- plate option
- upgrades to the PCB such as ESD protection and VIA support
...all of which by now have been evaluated with working prototypes.
This entire project has remained true to it's DIY / Making Stuff Together roots. All files (case design, PCB, etc) remain published under an open source license (
BMEK GitHub).
There are a number of members that have produced their own cases based on this design using different (plastic) materials using small CNCs and 3D Printing services.
We have a pretty active
DIY channel on our discord with a lovely bunch of mechheads helping each other making versions of the BMEK.
But why do a group buy if everybody can make their own?This group buy features the one thing that is still hard to do DIY:
A CNC'd, anodized aluminum case:More
DesignThe BMEK design is unique in a number of ways.
First and foremost it sports an HHKB-style layout combined with the ergonomically rotated center clusters similar to Alice-likes.
We also keep (a version of) the macro-keys on the left from the Alice-like layout.
However, the key-placement was redone from scratch, changing some of the (to my mind) awkward key placements inherited from the original EM7 layout, such as the stepped bottom row modifiers.
Another design principle was symmetry. The case is symmetric along it’s vertical center axis, and the key layout conforms to this symmetry:
The opposing homing keys and opposing outer-most keys have the same distance to the center of the case.
BMEK further differs from your typical Alice-like with it’s more aggressive looking outline.
The top and side edges follow the key layout instead of being square, which (to my knowledge) hasn't been done previously, either.
AssemblyIt’s a high profile case with top-mounted assembly.
There is an option to fasten the PCB to the top case when using the hot-swap PCB (a solder-only PCB will also be available).
The typing angle is 6 degrees, the center clusters are rotated inwards by 10 degrees.
The distance from the plate/switches from the ground is kept as low as possible.
The bottom case can house a non-cosmetic weight (i.e., it’s not visible from the outside).
A fully assembled case (with weight, PCB, Plate Switches and Keycaps) comes in at 1855g.
Layout Options & PlateThere are four layout options (
keyboard layout editor), all supported with both plate styles:
- 2U backspace VS Split backspace
- 2.75u right shift VS split right shift
- 2.75u spacebar VS 2.25u spacebar (both left and right half)
- 2.25u left shift vs ISO-style split left-shift
Layout Options:
Regular Plate:
Flex/Half-Plate:
Note that all layout options will be available both on the hotswap and the solder PCB.
However, when assembling the hotswap PCB, you'll have to decide for which layout to configure the hotswap sockets.
(i.e. just like with layout options for the switches, the socket footprints overlap with some offset).BlockerThe original concept for the BMEK was to use 2x2.75u spacebars (for the symmetry).
While I wanted to keep this option, the reality is that spacebar kits often just include 1x2.75u and 1x2.25u.
The blocker fills the gap when using a 2.25u spacebar instead of a 2.75u spacebar. It can be used on either side.
The blocker is designed to go just up to the chamfer of the inner edge of the top case.
This leaves the original symmetric lines of the high profile case in tact while filling the missing gap nicely:
Personally, I've started to like the look quite a bit.
Bottom SideThe bottom side features an engraved "BMR" Bemeier Logo and 4 10mm diameter recesses for rubber feet (which are included):
PCB- QMK / VIA Support!
- USB-C (full usb-c to usb-c support)
- ESD Protection (thanks to help from ai03!)
- 2 Versions: Hotswap & Solder
- Color: good-old green soldermask
- 6 optional LEDs for various indicators & cosmetic effects
- Depending on the layout options, you will require 4-6 2U PCB mounted stabilizers.
ManufacturingWe’re using
3DHubs for the of machining case, plates and bottom weights. Turns out they are not much more expensive than quotes I’ve gotten from manufacturers in China (at least for someone like me without deep connections into the manufacturing scene there). They are also a good fit for me as a single person running this group buy: They have a good way of handling QC disputes, and all costs are know upfront (there will be no surprises with import taxes for me, etc). What's more, we're using the
3DHubs Sample Verification Program, which means that we'll get another set of prototypes from the factory that is producing the final run which we can review for quality & fit before the rest of the batch will be manufactured.
3DHubs also really fits with the spirit of the “Making Stuff Together” & Open Source heritage of this project. It is really easy for individuals to use their service to produce copies of BMEK parts (or derivatives). Of course, single parts are expensive (in particular CNC parts), but I guess it’s nice to know that you have that option
.
The same is true for the PCBs. All files and instructions will be made available, so you could just order the PCB yourself from JLCPCB or similar suppliers.
RendersCheck out the
IC thread for more renders
↢ ↢ ↢ Unfold for Design Details, Layout Options, etcColors & MaterialsThe case will be machined from Aluminum 6061-T6, bead-blasted at a high grit (150), and type II Anoidized to one of these colors:
Case- Black
- Dark Blue (~Pantone 533 C)
- Dark Violet (~Pantone 5115 C )
- Anthracite Gray (~RAL 7016)
- Silver (*see Note 1)
Note that the pictures of the prototypes are of the violet and the silver (unanodized) one.
The
violet prototype has a smoothed surface, and was not bead-blasted.
The silver one shows the bead-blasted surface.
Plate Plates will be machined in sheet-metal process from Aluminum 5052, also with Type II anodization:
- Black
- Teal (Pantone 3258C)
- Silver (*see Note 1)
Note 1 - Silver/unanodized:
Beware that unanodized also means that the aluminium surface will not be hardened, and thus not be as scratch resistant as the anodized versions.
I absolutely wouldn't worry about this for the plate, however for the case this is something too keep in mind.
This option is really for people that plan to do something custom to their case (or plate), such as getting it powder coated, cerakoted, or even anodizing yourself.Brass Blocker with LogoThere will be one blocker included in the base kit with the same case material & color (see fold out the "design details" above for more details on the blocker).
As an extra option, you can get a brass version of the blocker (Brass C360, Brushed & Electropolished Ra0.8µm, 32µin) with the engraved "BMR" Bemeier logo:
Price, Base Kit + ExtrasPrice for the base kit:
299€, excl fees and shipping.
This includes:- 1x Top Case
- 1x Bottom Case
- 1x Blocker
- 1x Regular Plate
- 1x PCB - solder or hot swap without sockets, with unsoldered sockets: +10€ (*see Note 2)
- Screws & Hex-keys
- Rubber feet
- Bottom weight (Copper black-oxide, non cosmetic,~700g)
Extras:- Extra Regular plate (black, teal or silver): 19€
- Flex/Half-Plate (black): 33€ (fold out design details above for more info)
- Extra PCB solder or hot swap (without sockets): 23€
- Extra PCB hot swap (with unsoldered sockets): 33€
- Extra Blocker (same as your case color): 13€
- Extra Blocker (brass with engraved logo): 23€
Note 2 - Why unsoldered Hotswap?
I cannot offer to ship the hotswap PCBs pre-soldered with the hotswap sockets as I don't have an option to get bottom side assembled from the factory.
I am already going to hand solder LEDs and USB connectors, which is managable, but that's about the maximum manual work that I want to do for 50+ pcbs.
Plus, since several of the socket position depend on the layout option that you prefer, soldering the sockets on your end will be required anyway.
So instead (as you can see above), I'm offering to bulk order these sockets for this group buy and ship 72 unsoldered sockets for 10€ extra.
It may be cheaper for you to just get some sockets in your next kbdfans order.GB Procedure & TimelineThere are
50 total spots for the GB which have been filled using a raffle.
Shipping from Germany, worldwide (see notes in FAQ).
Winners of the first batch (see below) will get sent the advance payment requests and have 48 hours to complete payment.
Missing payment means getting dropped from the sheet, opining a spot for the next in line.
The GB will be realized in
two batches:
- The first batch of 22 (maybe +1 more) orders will be paid after the raffle and shipped ASAP (estimate: Mid-Late November 2020 if we manage to complete payment of the first batch in September).
- The second batch will be ordered and manufactured along with the first batch, but won't ship before January 2021 (*see Note 3 for rationale)
- The people in the second batch have their spot reserved until January 2021, and they only need to pay then. If someone in the second batch doesn't want to wait that long - no hard feelings. Unclaimed spots will be sold as extras (exact procedure TBD, but likely giving others on the waiting list priority)
Note 3 - Why two batches?
I'm running this GB as a "Kleingewerbe" ("small business", I can't just do these sales privately under german law).
This is made relatively simple (in terms of German bureaucracy) as long as my sales don't exceed a certain limit per year.
This limit is computed on the fraction of the year since the founding date of the "Kleingewerbe" (which was in August 2020).
So to not exceed this limit in 2020 I can't sell more than ~22-23 keyboards+extras (selling 26+ in 2021 is no problem).
This is also why I can't make any invoices for the second batch in 2020More updates coming this week. Feel free to ask for clarification if anything about the procedure or the offer is unclear.
More
Raffle- One entry per person, Absolutely no selling spots (both for reserved spots and random winners)
- This list of orders will be published anonymously, you’ll receive your raffle ID through the mail that you’ve provided (also indicating the to-be expected total price including paypal fees)
- Absolutely no selling/tradings spots
- At any point during the raffle process, i.e. if I have suspicion of raffle manipulation, I may do some checks for legitimacy of the entries. If anything looks like foul play, I'll reserve the right to exclude orders from Raffle
Payment- You will receive a paypal invoice for the BMEK and for shipping separately. It will be in euro currency and it will cover the expected paypal fees (I’m assuming payment comes from the indicated shipping country). This will be the only payment option for buyers from non-european countries.
- If for whatever reason, the quoted paypal fees were lower than what I’ve computed, I’ll reimburse you with the shipping invoice.
- For buyers in Europe, specifically from SEPA countries, I’ll happily accept payment through IBAN transfer, dropping paypal fees.
Payment- Shipping will be done from Hamburg, Germany
- I’ll ask for exact shipping details after you’ve paid for the BMEK order.
- Payment requests for shipping will be sent out later towards the actual shipping date. You’ll be charged the exact costs I’m incurring for the shipping only (packaging costs are already covered by the base price)
- Shipping cost highly depend on the destination country. We’ll pick the cheapest option for you that offers full tracking and insurance. Per default this seems to be DHL, but in case there is an alternative for your country that is significantly cheaper we can work out choosing a different carrier together.
- If you’ve got concerns about whether shipping is possible to your specific country and what costs will occur, ask me and I will try to give you an estimate.
- Beware that there are some limitations and extra costs to shipping for some destinations due to COVID. DHL has been starting to relax some of the restrictions recently, let’s hope that also the extra costs for some destinations will be dropped soon.
- Any import fees/taxes/VAT owed are the responsibility of the buyer. Since the package is being sent from within Europe, there should be no taxes for europeans. The US also doesn’t seem to ask for import taxes on keyboards. I’m not sure about other countries.
- If delivery fails and is returned to me for whatever reason, we’ll work out how to resend it. Per default this will be at the buyers expense (but I can offer to share part of the cost on a case-by-case basis).
- DHLs current option for US shipping covers up to 5kg packages, so weight won’t be an issue. However, for some other destinations we could save a bit in shipping costs by dropping the “copper bottom weight” part, as this might get the total package weight below 2kg. So if you don’t need that part anyway, just let me know and we can see if it could save money for your situation.
- I will rigorously take pictures of each keyboard + invoice outside and inside the packaging and share it with you so that we will have plenty of evidence in case shipping damage.
What if things go wrong?- Part of joining a group buy means sharing some risk, as the finished product is yet to be produced. The prototypes are representative, but small things could potentially still go wrong, I’ll do my best to make everybody happy, but in the end you’ll always share some of the risk with me and every other buyer.
- I’ll receive final review parts from the final batch before the manufacturer makes the entire batch. If at that point, something is unfixable wrong we have the option to stop the GB and everybody will get refunded (very unlikely, but this at least to me is good to know).
- I will conduct my own QC (including pictures of each board) before shipping to you. If there are parts that are less than what I deem acceptable, I will communicate this with you and with the manufacturer and we’ll find a mutually acceptable solution. This may or may not include remaking parts and/or (partial) refunds from the manufacturer, depending on what you want, what the manufacturer offers, and what is logistically feasible for me.
- Here are some of the things I’ll be looking for in QC:
- PCB functionality (flashing and spot testing keys, unless I discover that full tests are required)
- Tool marks on visible surfaces of the case
- Anodization “spots” on visible surfaces
- Otherwise noticeably inconsistent surface finish (bead blasting) on visible surfaces
- Any dents (i.e due to clamping) on visible surfaces and mating surfaces that affect the fit...
- ...and tolerances between top & bottom case
- Properly tapped threads (will do mostly through visual inspection & spot checking)
- This is what I don't consider problematic:
- Tool marks / clamp marks / spotty anodization / on inside/non-visible surfaces
- Switch Plates & Bottom Weight can somewhat be considered visible, but small dents / spots that don’t affect the function of the plate may be acceptable, as they are (likely) invisible when assembled
- The small blocker is hard to manufacture as it is so small, I’m only considering the top surface as “visible”, not the sides. I.e. there can be clamping marks on the sides of the blockers (as long as they don’t affect tolerances & fit!)
- This does not mean that each part that I’ll be shipping to you will be 100% perfect. I’ll apply a reasonably high standard, but I can miss some things, and I won’t dispute the tiniest of marks that wouldn’t be visible to the naked eye. I understand if this is not acceptable to you, but please consider twice if you still want to join if you expect space-grade perfection <3.
↢ ↢ ↢ GB Procedure FAQ & Conditions 