Group BuyKeyboards

Constance - F13 TKL (GB LIVE 10 Oct, 2024 - 11 Nov, 2024)

by aiglatsonstudio

geekhackpolycarbonateenriched

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byaiglatsonstudio

Description

CONSTANCE TKL
Split-plate, top mounted, F13 TKL

1. Introduction
Hey everyone! I am PJ from Aiglatson Studio, Thailand. Meet Constance TKL, our first seamless, split plate, top-mounted, F13 TKL. Our goal for Constance was simple: to design a keyboard that we'd enjoy as a daily driver. It needs to look good, type well, and sounds great. There isn't a specific inspiration or theme behind Constance; its aesthetic is purely based on our personal preferences. We aimed for a clean, minimal design with subtle flair to catch your eye without being overly flashy. If you appreciate a straightforward top mount keyboard with clean, detailed designs, we hope Constance catches your interest!
IC FORM

2. Design Features
Top View
We kept the top face clean with 10.5 mm top bezels and 6.5 mm side bezels. However, by adding a 9-degree angle chamfer around the top edge (to create the HG sides), each bezel appears 1.8 mm thinner from the top. All corners and edges are filleted to give the top view a softer look.

Bottom View

Side Profile
Initially, Constance came with a simple HG side, but we decided to add a subtle curvature to make the side profile more appealing and softer on the eye. This was a last-minute decision, but we ended up liking it more. It comes with a 9-degree typing and a EKH of 23.799 mm.

Constance comes with 3 pieces of weights: internal, external, and toblerone.

Instead of having a constant fillet radius along the edges, we've made it variable, tapering to almost a sharp edge at the ends for a cleaner and tidier look.

Mounting and plate
Constance features a top-mount design with split plates, similar to keyboards like the Glare TKL and Albatross TKL. This configuration separates the 60% cluster and the function row from the navigator cluster. During development, we experimented with both full and split plates and found that splitting the plates results in a higher-pitched and noticeably louder overall sound profile, which aligns with our preferences.

With the plates split, the layout becomes somewhat symmetrical. As a result, the mounting points are symmetrically positioned for a uniform typing feel but leave the spacebar area unmounted.
We've added cutouts between the function row and number row (only for aluminum and carbon fiber plates) to give the alphas a little more flex with harder plates.

PCB

3. Specifications
1. Layout: F13 TKL (88%) WK and WKL
2. Mounting: Split-plate top mount
3. Typing Angle: 9 Degrees
4. Materials: Aluminium 6063 case with brass, stainless steel, or copper Weights
5. Front Height: EKH 23.799 mm
6. Plate Options: Aluminium Full/Half, Carbon Fiber Full/Half, Polycarbonate Full/Half, and Polypropylene Full/Half
7.PCB: 1.6 mm FR4 + daughter board
8.Weight (Built): Approximately 3,480g (brass weights), 3,420 g (stainless steel weights)

Kit Content:
1x Top Case
1x Bottom Case
1x Internal Weight (brass, copper, stainless steel, spray coated brass, patina brass)
1x External Weight (brass, copper, stainless steel, spray coated brass, patina brass)
1x Toblerone Weigth (brass, copper, stainless steel, spray coated brass, patina brass)
1x Plate of choice (Aluminium Full, Carbon Fiber Full, Polycarbonate Full, and Polypropylene Full)
2x Custom pressure fit rubber feets
1x Carrying Case: Custom with suede internal
All screws/parts/packaging

Add-ons:
Solder PCB + Daughterboard + JST cable
Hotswap PCB Daughterboard + JST cable
Aluminium Full/Half, Carbon Fiber Full/Half, Polycarbonate Full/Half, and Polypropylene Full/Half plates

4. Color Options

5. Prototype Photos
Disclaimer: I have been extensively using both of them for the past few months, so the condition might not be as good as it should be.

Anodized Black + Spray coated brass weight

Spray Coated Cream + Patina brass weight

6. Media

Geon Prototype Stream

Soundtest

Build Stream

7. Availability
Target Price: 430-450 USD (Anodized cases + stainless steel weights) excludes PCB
Sales method: Group buy

8. Vendors
We are in communication with vendors and will announce the full list once everything is confirmed.

DISCORD | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
Special thanks to Geon, Glare, Manu, Laminar, Haldus, Nuxros, Jeen, Nae Kurenai, Ou SVG, and Gtmget for your input and feedback.
IC FORM