Paragon – 75% gasket mount w encoder | Soundtests, GB Jan 8

Hotswap PCB Layout:


Soldering PCB Layout:

Can you add a horizontally offset cluster?
At the end of the day, there’s only so many suggestions we can take while retaining the identity of the board. We’ve decided that symmetry and the even bezel fundamentally define this board and set it apart. While we understand that this might be a dealbreaker for some of you, we feel that adding a cluster would change the identity of the board and of course the number of SKUs for the top body of the board.
Can you add WKL?
Standard WKL layouts have blockers and as we just mentioned, we’ve decided against blockers; however, we have decided to support a layout that supports two mods on both sides to preserve the WKL functionality without the blockers (see new renders above). We felt like this was an amenable solution because it did not fundamentally alter the seamless aesthetic of the board.
Can you add an offset arrow cluster?
The mounting system is embedded within the bezel. To use an offset cluster, we would have to redesign the board from the ground up. Additionally, the offset arrow cluster board would be larger, so adding an entirely larger board as a SKU which would be both expensive to develop and sell due to the entirely new SKU. We also didn’t like the idea of the spacing and symmetry being compromised but the feasibility of implementing an offset cluster was what really eliminated this option from contention.

Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Design, Specifications, and Renders
3. GroupBuy Details
4. FAQ
5. Additional Renders
6. Credits

1. Introduction:
The Paragon is a 75% keyboard featuring a unique gasket mounting system and rotary encoder. In designing a keyboard, we sought to incorporate elements from previous groupbuy designs including some elements we believed to be missing. We were inspired by the aesthetics of the 7V, Rama Koyu and U80-A (please see FAQ), the Satisfaction 75, and the mounting system of the Volcano 660 to create our first board. The Paragon weighs in at just over six pounds boasting a seven-degree angle while the name succinctly encapsulates our desire to design a board that we could consider perfect: the Paragon of keyboards.

2. Design:
We envisioned an elegant, 75% keyboard that bridged the gap between form and function. A succinct expression of our design language would most aptly be characterized by the phrase: “the intersection of a straight line and a curve”. We found sharp edges and corners to be aesthetically displeasing and avoided them via the implementation of a curved bezel. The uniform outer bezel adds weight to our design while allowing us to maintain a bottom-mounted system that remains invisible while the board is seated upon a table at a 7-degree typing angle. The seamless exterior in tandem with the wide, uniform bezel provide the foundation upon which the board was constructed.

The plate layout was designed to minimize spaces while providing a semblance of symmetry to the board. We determined that a split arrow cluster would require spacing and offsets that conflicted with the aesthetic of the board. We moved the arrow cluster within the primary cluster such that the uniform spacing may preserve the symmetry present within the bezel. In determining which layouts to support, we determined that a single plate and PCB ought to support as many layouts as possible to reduce the number of SKUs. The Paragon supports split-backspace, split-spacebar, stepped caps lock, ISO, and ANSI all in a single plate and PCB scheme.
Link to Layout: http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/712343c9458f14c300bab919bff6c8bc]here

The PCB was designed to complement the gasket mounted system. The flexibility of the PCB in tandem with the gaskets further supports a soft typing experience. The centered USB-C port preserves the symmetrical spacing maintained throughout the board. Our primary gripe with most boards was the lack of a rotary encoder hence we prioritized the implementation of one in the Paragon. The rotary encoder only supports rotational functionality due to our desire to maintain the longevity of the PCB. We felt that increased functionality of the rotary encoder including pressing and joystick-like movements would only compromise the longevity of the PCB while providing functionality that was achievable via mapping.
In the spirit of maintaining a uniform aesthetic, we determined that a bottom-mounted system would allow us to conceal the mounting system entirely. The lower portion of the case is held in place by eleven M3 screws while the weight is held in place by four M4 screws. The weight is embedded within the lower portion of the case such that it is once again concealed from the outside to provide a seamless appearance.
We sought to implement a gasket system that provided a soft typing experience while preserving the longevity of both the gaskets and the board. The force of a keystroke is distributed amongst twenty-four individual gaskets placed around the edges of the plate; while the separation of the gaskets allowed us to implement the mounting system more easily, it created a unique problem in the sense that the custom gaskets would no longer be easily replaceable. In prioritizing the longevity of the board after the lifespan of the initial gaskets, we determined that a gasket, 3D printed from flexible filament, would allow us to future-proof the board as the availability of 3D printers appears to be increasing. The flexible filament gaskets provide a structurally unique alternative to traditional rubber gaskets while allowing us to replace intricate gaskets in a quick and inexpensive manner. After the boards have been delivered, the gasket files will become publicly available such that anyone may produce new gaskets after the initial ones wear out.

The weight and knob were designed to extend the elegance we envisioned within the Paragon. The weight is etched with a simple Paragon as depicted below while the knob features a rounded bezel similar to the edges of the case.




3. Group Buy Details
We currently estimate the cost will range between the $400-700 range depending upon the manufacturers, vendors (if we use one), and interest level. We will mostly likely host the sale ourselves without a vendor. We personally dislike limited production runs and would like to make this an unlimited group buy for a month but the requisite demand would need to appear in the Interest Check form to justify an unlimited group buy with vendors. If the interest level from the IC falls short of our threshold for an open group buy, there will be a smaller limited run (~200 units) in a raffle style draw without a vendor (Note the price will be higher for the raffle than an open group buy).
**Update We're talking to vendors and manufacturer
IC Form: https://forms.gle/7KBCNHMop5kbuwaMA
Discord: https://discord.gg/RznZS4d

4. FAQ
Can you add support for other layouts?
No, we would like to produce as few SKUs as possible to keep the price down and we have supported a reasonable number of layouts already.
Will there be a hotswap PCB?
***Update We have decided to add ANSI hotswap
What colors are you considering?
We will be producing both an anodized matte black and e-white version. A possible third color is dependent on the results of the IC although we are leaning towards blue at the moment. Again, we would like to limit the SKUs.
Is a knob included?
Yes, a knob will be included in the same colors offered for the cases (you can mix and match case and knob colors though). We may also offer a brass knob but that has yet to be determined as well.
Will there be RGB lighting?
No, we believe that RGB lighting detracts from the elegance of the board.
Will there be a polycarbonate version?
No, again, we believe that polycarbonate detracts from the elegance of the board.
Is there QMK compatibility?
Yes.
Can you bring the price down?
Depends on if you fill out the IC form.
Is this board a copy of the Rama Koyu and U80a?
**UPDATE We reached out to RAMA Works regarding the concerns of the community; they had no issues with our board's design and wished us well so the board's group buy will run with the current design aesthetic.
4. Timeline/TODO
Order First Prototype: (In Progress: Talking to Manufacturers)
Update Design Based on Prototype and IC Form
Order Second Prototype
Finalize Design and Groupbuy Format
Order Third Prototype
Groupbuy

5. Additional Renders




6. Credits and Acknowledgements
We would like to thank BirgusLatro for his guidance throughout the entire design and review process along with his advice for manufacturing. This keyboard would not have been possible without him. We would also like to thank JJ48_24 for his contributions to the case along with jtallbean for his contributions to the PCB. We would like to thank ImperfectLink and CJT for the renders.