/Kieeboard

CAD and code for Wookiee's Custom Keyboard

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 InternationalCC-BY-4.0

Readme and Disclaimer

OEM Key profiles were measured off of a set of Vortex PBT Doubleshot 104-Key caps.

Cherry Key Profiles were estimated off of Cherry Corp. datasheets.

Files were made using Solidworks 2017.

This readme shows the keys available in each layout pack, and then walks through the process of modifying dimensions on original Solidworks files.

Each key in each pack is selectable as a configuration within the solidworks part file.

No Measurement or Dimension is Guaranteed to be Accurate or Suitable.

Absolutely no guarantee is made that these models will perform as expected. Use at your own risk. Models are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Please redistribute and/or modify at will. Please respect the open source nature of these files, and do not use them for personal profit or commercial use.

Table of Contents generated with DocToc

Layout of Keys in Cherry Pack

Cherry ISO Layout

Layout of Keys in OEM Pack

OEM ISO Layout

Modifying Base Dimensions on Wookiee’s Keycaps Files

Base dimensions

Base Dimension Sketch

Base key dimensions are 18x18. Including these dimensions in configurations and design table allows me to switch between any key width and length.

Angle of Key Front

Front Angle Sketch

Front plane angle is set coincident with front edge of base, and at an angle. This angle can be adjusted for all configurations, or you can add it to the design table and set different angles for each configuration.  

Angle of Key Rear

Rear Angle Sketch

The angle of the rear plane is set the same way, but references the rear edge of the base sketch.

Front and Rear Key Height

Key Height Sketch

The front and rear height of the profile are set using a construction sketch on the right plane. These dimensions are constrained to the front and rear angle planes, and set as distances from the base plane. They are included in the design table and set in each configuration.

Shape of Cylindrical Top, Front Sketch

Top Front Sketch

The shape of the top of the key is set by an extruded loft between the two angled planes. The front edge is defined on the front angle plane. The width is defined relative to the base, the endpoints are set by the previously sketched profile, and the depth is dimensioned to the midpoint.

Shape of Cylindrical Top, Rear Sketch

Top Rear Sketch

The shape of the top of the key is set by an extruded loft between the two angled planes. The front edge is defined on the front angle plane. The width is defined relative to the base, the endpoints are set by the previously sketched profile, and the depth is dimensioned to the midpoint.

Theoretically, this means you can make the front and rear of the keycap completely different shapes. Just be careful, in the published .sldprt files, changing the shape in one dimension will change it for all dimensions.

Wall Thickness

Wall Thickness Shell

A loft between the base sketch and the lofted top profile gives the key shape. This is then shelled. The wall thickness is defined by the shell.

Upright Edge Fillets

Side fillets

The upright edge fillets are set using a multiple radius fillet. Each edge can be edited individually.

Top Edge Fillet

Top fillets

The top edge has a tiny fillet put on it. This is for aesthetics and can be suppressed or changed at will.

Stem Dimensions

Stem Extrusion

The stem shape is defined on the bottom plane, and extruded up to surface to the top surface. These dimensions can be easily changed. I used 1.2mm wide x 4 long for the arms of the key cross.

Final Touches/Stabilizer Stems

Stem Chamfer and Stabs Pattern

The stem opening is chamfered per the Vortex model these were measured from.

Stems for stabilizers are spaced using linear patterns which are suppressed or activated by configuration. Key widths 2u and up have stabilizer stems, shorter key widths do not.

Dimensions already included in configurations:

Each SLDPRT file already has configurations for 1u through 2.75u for each row in the profile set. Dimensions used in each configuration are shown in the design table (OEM and Cherry were made with the same key widths for each u). Before editing the SLDPRT file, check and see that you have selected the configuration you want.

Design Table

Thank you for looking! Enjoy.