September 2022 Update
Slow and steady wins the race
Check out these photos of our latest prototype and let us know what you think!
March 2022 Update
Our first prototype is ready, assembles perfectly and it is such a great feeling that our vision is becoming materialized. Still, our standards and level of diligence is high and we are working on improving things in many aspects to reach 100% satisfaction before proceeding
Please check below and let us know about what you think.
✓ CNC machining first prototype.
✓ Bead blasting
✓ PCB prototype is manufactured and on the way for tests.
✓ Plate prototypes are being manufactured with certain samples at hand.
Current near-term roadmap
• Perfecting manufacturing processes.
• Finalizing color options and producing an anodized sample.
Please follow us on Instagram to catch up with the developments on a day to day basis. Thanks for your continuing support!
Case before bead blasting
René 65
65% Keyboard by Rationalkeys
CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. At a glance
3. Details
-Design
-Case
-Mount Type
-PCB
-Manufacturing
4. Sketchfab
5. Sales
6. Current Roadmap
7. Layouts/Specifications
8. IC Form
9. Follow us
1. IntroductionWe are three friends—an architect, a lawyer and a jeweler—who came together to build a product and a company that we believe in. We are calling our first keyboard kit, René, and our company, Rationalkeys, to evoke one of the human mind’s most important faculties: rationality.
René is inspired by philosophical and architectural rationalism: its symmetrical, typewriter form combines geometrically-defined shapes in ideal proportions. We had a blast designing it.
At this stage, we have completed our first official production design and are getting ready to produce the first prototype.
Here are the basic specs:
2. At a glanceCase designed in-house by Rationalkeys.
CNC Machined Aluminum 6063.
8-degree typing angle. The rear weight may be provided in different options to change the typing angle.
10-point gasket mount system.
Left side USB-C port.
PCB designed by community member and PCB designer, 4pplet.
Hot-swap and solderable options with flex cuts on solderable version.
Black solder mask.
Aluminum, brass, polycarbonate plate materials.
3. Details
DesignRené takes inspiration from typewriters with its rear weight, which also provides the typing angle. Notice the lines on the rear side which are reminiscent of the type bars on a typewriter.
CaseThe case is composed of three main customizable parts: the main case, the top frame and the rear weight. The three parts of the case can be picked in different colors/materials for a customized look.
[We are also considering an option where we only use the natural colors provided of the materials themselves, such as brass, copper and aluminum only, and skip the anodized colors at this run. This might give a more industrialized feel.]
Each main part of the case will be available in different materials. For the first run, we will likely go with copper, anodized aluminum in different color options, and steel, and in future runs we plan on introducing different material types for certain parts, such as acrylic or polycarbonate.
Mount TypeGasket-mounted. The case will also feature a dampening foam between the plate and the PCB, and also a layer of foam under the PCB.
PCBPCB will be a QMK and VIA compatible solderable/hot-swap 65%, designed by 4pplet with a daughterboard supporting USB-C input. (After receiving the first prototype of the PCB, we decided to add these features to accommodate some major design changes in our case design and some extra functionality.)
ManufacturingManufacturing will be fully in Istanbul, Turkey where Rationalkeys is based. We have secured our manufacturing run through expert, high-end factories to ensure that our team is always close and we have the ability to supervise the full production process in a hands-on way. We will be able to intervene and make changes immediately if and when needed during the manufacturing phase. We think this is a unique feature of our company, where others have to manage their manufacturing at a distance.
4. SketchfabClick the link below to view and interact with the model on Sketchfab 3d platform.Exterior:
Sketchfab ExteriorInterior:
Sketchfab Interior5. SalesAlthough the details are yet to be confirmed, we are planning to run a group buy of 250-300 units FCFS. Price to be determined.
6. Current roadmapMake the first prototype case and PCB in February 2022.
Collect feedback with the interest check and incorporate necessary adjustments/changes.
7. Layouts/SpecificationsHotswap PCB layout:
Solderable PCB layouts:
Dimensions: 354,5 x 178.5 x 24.5 mm
Weight: ≈3.5 kg
Price: To be announced
Sale method: To be announced
8. IC FormIC Form9. Follow usPlease join our Discord and follow our Instagram for updates and to reach out to us with any comments or questions. We want to hear from you!
Discord:
https://discord.gg/Hwj5juQ8ECInstagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rationalkeys/Website:
https://rationalkeys.com![René 65 - A typewriter inspired 65% keyboard [September 2022 Update]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FjTF1jix.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
