Plate/PCB spacing for Alps?

[kelvinhall05]

Hi guys, sorry for shit title, not sure how to phrase my question properly lol.

I'm designing an Alps PCB, mostly just for fun, but also since I (personally) find it disgusting that a PCB that costs $10 or less for a batch of 10 is being sold for $40+ for a single one. I have a schematic and part of my actual PCB done, but I'm not sure about some things like the spacing or gaps between things like the backspace and equals key, or capslock and A. Hopefully you get what I mean as I have no idea how to explain it xD

Are there some standard measurements for these? Thanks!

[swampangel]

First, just a general warning that for Alps builds, you need to adapt any advice to the specific keycap sets and case you plan to use.


The easiest way to lay out an alps plate is to take a layout from http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com and then paste it at http://builder.swillkb.com (making sure to select alps switch cutouts and your desired stabilizer cutouts).

In these layouts, key spacing is described by multiples of 1 standard key (so Q is 1u, backspace is usually 2u and the spacebar is usually 6.25u on a modern US 104 key layout).


From http://builder.swillkb.com you'll get a .dxf/.svg drawing that you can use

1. to get a lasercut plate (from ex. https://laserboost.com)

2. to import into a pcb design tool like kicad, as a silkscreen layer.

This, in combination with one of the switch footprint libraries out there (see https://wiki.ai03.me/books/pcb-design/p ... eparations) should let you accurately lay out an alps pcb.

[kelvinhall05]

First, just a general warning that for Alps builds, you need to adapt any advice to the specific keycap sets and case you plan to use.


The easiest way to lay out an alps plate is to take a layout from http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com and then paste it at http://builder.swillkb.com (making sure to select alps switch cutouts and your desired stabilizer cutouts).

In these layouts, key spacing is described by multiples of 1 standard key (so Q is 1u, backspace is usually 2u and the spacebar is usually 6.25u on a modern US 104 key layout).


From http://builder.swillkb.com you'll get a .dxf/.svg drawing that you can use

1. to get a lasercut plate (from ex. https://laserboost.com)

2. to import into a pcb design tool like kicad, as a silkscreen layer.

This, in combination with one of the switch footprint libraries out there (see https://wiki.ai03.me/books/pcb-design/p ... eparations) should let you accurately lay out an alps pcb.

Alright. I think I'm going to use keycaps from an AT101; not great, but far from the worst, and I would rather spend as little as possible on a build that I won't use that often. I didn't realize I could import the plate into KiCAD, that's exactly what I want and what I think I'll do. I'll let you know how it goes, thanks!

[abrahamstechnology]

Why not use Tai-Hao caps?

[kelvinhall05]

Why not use Tai-Hao caps?

The only things I'll be paying for are pcb, plate, and maybe case. I'd rather spend as little as possible and get slightly worse caps. I can always change them out later.

[EnthusiastDude]

I am currently working on a custom plate on my own and I am kind of stuck because builder.swillkb.com does not support alps stabilizers for 7u spacebars.
I would really advise you to double-check everything before ordering, I almost ordered the plate without realizing that the stabilizer cutouts are not correct.

[kelvinhall05]

I am currently working on a custom plate on my own and I am kind of stuck because builder.swillkb.com does not support alps stabilizers for 7u spacebars.
I would really advise you to double-check everything before ordering, I almost ordered the plate without realizing that the stabilizer cutouts are not correct.

Oh yeah, I see they're not correct. I'm considering cutting my AT101's plate but I don't have proper equipment to do so. I'll figure something out.