SolidBrass 60% [v2 UPDATE]

Something about me:

My name is Corrado and i'm from Italy.
I'm a naval and mechanical engineer.
I currently work as product engineer and i'm relatively new to this hobby.

During the first Corona lockdown, i started gaming. I bought a cheap mechanical keyboard from aliexpress... that's how it started

I started designing this keyboard on september '20.
On march '21 i completed all the 3d components, ipt/stp file, dwg drawings and i started asking for quotations all around the world.
A month later i decided to order 4 complete board samples.
Factory got closed for few week due to Corona virus.
10 days ago, i finally received the samples i ordered.

Everything work, but i'm not happy with the overall quality. This is why, while these keyboards will go to the plating plant, i'm ordering a new sample from another supplier.

[UPDATE]
v2 samples arrived this week.
i'm finally happy with the quality
now blockers are gone.
you can finaly see the laser engraved logo and number.

Layout and PCB:

The keyboard has been designed aroud the Wilba Graphite 60%.
A custom PCB give you the possibility to further personalize your design. But force customers to buy extra pcb to avoid problems in the future.
A custom PCB may generate issues that i'm not able to solve (i've no experience with pcb and electrical circuits). Especially now, with components shortage, this can cause huge delay.
That's why i've preferred a standard one.

The plate allow all the layouts of the Graphite; ISO ANSI 6.25u and 7u spacebar.
The plate will be brass made. But i will share all the necessary files to produce by other materials.

Blockers allow you to remove the switches you don't like.

Backside plug allow you to chooce left/right/central positioning of the Usb-C.
Three different wirings will be provided to connect the PCB with the daughter board.
An oring on each plug avoid every possible vibration.
A brass set screw secures the plug in position.





(laser engraving is missing, must be done after the plating)





Please note that every photos show natural brass (no protective treatment). Oxidation and spots are absolutely normal.


Material and colors:

When you use quality materials, there is no reason to cover and hide them.
My idea is to use Electroplating instead of painting/anodizing.
3 keyboards are now on their way to the plating plant.

I'll show you soon:
- Gold plating
- Silver plating
- Copper plating
- Natural brass with a transparent protector







Quantity and target price:

I don't have a MQO. Keyboards will be numbered from 1 to 100.
nr. 1 will be used as samples for photos and test. it will be sent to a content creator.
nr. 2 to 100 will be sold through a GB.

Target price under 500€. I'll do my best to decrease it.
Copper, silver and gold plated will have the price (but i'll confirm that soon).
EVA handbag, extra screews, are included.
No extras. I'm working on a keycap with the logo.
If it works, it will be included.
A brass cap will be included





More Photos:








What's now?
We wait. In few week i should receive back samples from the plating factory.
I ordered another sample from a new supplier, trying to improve the quality.

the content creator will be announced soon