Beamspring Factory process - How to

User avatar
SneakyRobb
THINK

22 May 2020, 01:57

Also I hate that I have to say this but several users have asked about my commercial beamspring operations. Oh yes I have several! Nope.

These do not exist. Any advertisement or solicitation you see about sneakyrobb beamsprings does not exist.

Any advertisement using images from this thread is a scam. That's it.

User avatar
ddrfraser1

22 May 2020, 02:31

I’d like to place an order please

User avatar
PlacaFromHell

22 May 2020, 02:31

ddrfraser1 wrote:
22 May 2020, 02:31
I’d like to place an order please
Me too :lol:

User avatar
SneakyRobb
THINK

25 May 2020, 02:10

SneakyRobb wrote:
22 May 2020, 01:56
Hi sorry about this question. I have just received this new pcb so I will update this tomorrow.

Will finish this project soon.

Beamspring model m is soon.

IMG_20200521_194034.jpg
Hi,

So I tried to make this coherent.

Its basically just following the DMA instructions here.

https://github.com/dmaone/CommonSense/b ... /README.md

Will hopefully receive my teflon tubing soon so I can begin mass production of stems. I should update more
Attachments
IMG_20200524_200609.jpg
IMG_20200524_200609.jpg (3.84 MiB) Viewed 7519 times
IMG_20200524_200615.jpg
IMG_20200524_200615.jpg (3.59 MiB) Viewed 7519 times
IMG_20200524_200634.jpg
IMG_20200524_200634.jpg (3.39 MiB) Viewed 7519 times

User avatar
PlacaFromHell

25 May 2020, 03:26

If you don't mind, where did you got the PCB and how much it cost?

kelvinhall05

25 May 2020, 03:59

PlacaFromHell wrote:
25 May 2020, 03:26
If you don't mind, where did you got the PCB and how much it cost?
I am obviously not Robb but JLCPCB has the cheapest PCBs by far, just send them some gerber files and they can usually do 5 for under $30 before shipping (and they sponsor a fair amount of people so you can easily save a decent amount of money on already cheap PCBs).

User avatar
PlacaFromHell

25 May 2020, 11:12

kelvinhall05 wrote:
25 May 2020, 03:59
PlacaFromHell wrote:
25 May 2020, 03:26
If you don't mind, where did you got the PCB and how much it cost?
I am obviously not Robb but JLCPCB has the cheapest PCBs by far, just send them some gerber files and they can usually do 5 for under $30 before shipping (and they sponsor a fair amount of people so you can easily save a decent amount of money on already cheap PCBs).
I already saw this site, dirt cheap but I just wanted to be sure is the best option. Thanks.

User avatar
SneakyRobb
THINK

25 May 2020, 15:43

Hi,

These PCBs have been from JLCPCB. They are pretty expensive because of how big they are. With the shipping and import fees it still comes out around $80 CAD

User avatar
tentator

25 May 2020, 22:12

Holy moly.. this projects smells like eclipse's new model.. beamspring! :D
Great and interesting job man!!

tent:wq

User avatar
ZedTheMan

28 Aug 2020, 22:18

Hey, I wanted to bump this thread to see if any progress has been made since, I used to watch it with much anticipation.

User avatar
SneakyRobb
THINK

30 Aug 2020, 01:30

ZedTheMan wrote:
28 Aug 2020, 22:18
Hey, I wanted to bump this thread to see if any progress has been made since, I used to watch it with much anticipation.
Hi,

Fair statement and you are right. I am print some parts now.
too many item.JPG
too many item.JPG (70.81 KiB) Viewed 6998 times

User avatar
SneakyRobb
THINK

30 Aug 2020, 06:11

Hi,

Okay. Must process but went well!

Very well
IMG_20200829_215549.jpg
IMG_20200829_215549.jpg (2.59 MiB) Viewed 6966 times

User avatar
ZedTheMan

30 Aug 2020, 21:56

The results Resin-ate with hope of success :)

User avatar
SneakyRobb
THINK

30 Aug 2020, 23:30

ZedTheMan wrote:
30 Aug 2020, 21:56
The results Resin-ate with hope of success :)
Yes, agree.

I am printing 1 more set but here is the current production.

I wanted to make keycap so that I can make the board with 100% new pieces.

Happy with how the keycap looks. I think its unrealistic to make the keycap stem in resin as it broke. Will use cnc to make metal ones.

Credit where it's due. I totally used manisteinn's keycap model.

The Cherry mx Slider adaptor works perfectly and is very durable. Very impress.
resin.jpg
resin.jpg (2.53 MiB) Viewed 6862 times
Attachments
keycap1.jpg
keycap1.jpg (3.58 MiB) Viewed 6862 times
keycap with stem.jpg
keycap with stem.jpg (4.75 MiB) Viewed 6862 times
keycap with stem 3.jpg
keycap with stem 3.jpg (3.69 MiB) Viewed 6862 times
keycap with stem 2.jpg
keycap with stem 2.jpg (2.25 MiB) Viewed 6862 times
keycap 2.jpg
keycap 2.jpg (3.46 MiB) Viewed 6862 times

User avatar
Redmaus
Gotta start somewhere

31 Aug 2020, 00:25

Impressive! The keycap looks very smooth. Very interested in seeing that Cherry adapter in action.

gianni

31 Aug 2020, 10:06

Your results look so polished and brilliant that you make it seem like an easy task!

User avatar
SneakyRobb
THINK

06 Sep 2020, 02:41

gianni wrote:
31 Aug 2020, 10:06
Your results look so polished and brilliant that you make it seem like an easy task!
Hi thanks.

I am hope to have some good things soon.
Attachments
IMG_20200905_203509.jpg
IMG_20200905_203509.jpg (3.92 MiB) Viewed 6736 times
IMG_20200905_203641.jpg
IMG_20200905_203641.jpg (3.29 MiB) Viewed 6736 times
IMG_20200905_203452.jpg
IMG_20200905_203452.jpg (3.15 MiB) Viewed 6736 times
IMG_20200905_203659.jpg
IMG_20200905_203659.jpg (3.32 MiB) Viewed 6736 times
IMG_20200905_203657.jpg
IMG_20200905_203657.jpg (3.19 MiB) Viewed 6736 times
IMG_20200905_203308.jpg
IMG_20200905_203308.jpg (3.11 MiB) Viewed 6736 times

User avatar
SneakyRobb
THINK

08 Sep 2020, 00:27

ZedTheMan wrote:
28 Aug 2020, 22:18
Hey, I wanted to bump this thread to see if any progress has been made since, I used to watch it with much anticipation.
Hi,

I should do more for this project yes. I will correct this.

Just to update this is my current beamspring attachment method. A square peg with some glue. I am heavily considering doubling the thickness of my beamsprings. I just cannot seem to get them as hard as the original ones at the original thickness. I need to make the peg part bigger for alignment. The place I got them cut at, metaltronics in Mississauga used the hardest metal they could get and it is still not as hard as the original. So I will likely just go thicker.

I have added some models to my grabcad account.
https://grabcad.com/sneaky.robb-2

I made a new cherry mx slider for the beamspring. The old model was not very good. This one is better.
mx slider.jpg
mx slider.jpg (3.29 MiB) Viewed 6693 times
I got this parallel square hole tool to make the holes if need be by hand in the beamsprings. I also use it for 4x alps project. The cutting method used for the beamsprings has little artefacts.
square hole pliers.jpg
square hole pliers.jpg (3.35 MiB) Viewed 6693 times
Here are the stems.
1.jpg
1.jpg (3.1 MiB) Viewed 6693 times
2.jpg
2.jpg (3.2 MiB) Viewed 6693 times
For a case I have ordered a model M "silver badge" case. Sort of like this image. When it arrives I will examine how to best integrate the top and bottom. I thought this would be the most amusing way to do that. It doesn't have the badge so I will make a pcb one with some kind of ibm logo.

Image

I would be going for something like this post
viewtopic.php?t=17339

Image

As seen above I have started to make resin keycaps. They are pretty decent so far. Still learning. Printing a black one now.

For the barrels I am almost done with them. They are starting to look extremely close and am very pleased with them. This is mostly a printing issue not a model issue.
compare 1.jpg
compare 1.jpg (2.82 MiB) Viewed 6693 times
I mentioned before that I would get some teflon tube. This never arrived. Randomly after 5 months it did in fact arrive but the supplier sent the wrong size anyway!

This was what I wanted to do. TBH it actually is ultra smooth and I still want to buy some teflon tube for this purpose.

The idea being the tube forms the surface where the slider and barrel interact. It is just slightly too wide.
teflon tube applied.jpg
teflon tube applied.jpg (3.39 MiB) Viewed 6693 times
I know I have many projects in various states but I want to focus on actually finishing this one now. I should have done it sooner.

User avatar
SneakyRobb
THINK

18 Sep 2020, 23:27

Hi,

One thing I should have done was the stabilizers. I thought I might have to make a insert to link them but I think it should work. The only thing is the cherry ones somewhat overlap on the top plate and part of the barrel housing. I will just make new barrel housings for those switches.

I wont do this permanently but when the Model M case gets here I will temp. borrow the 5110 switches to fully assemble the keyboard just because.

Robb
Attachments
stabs correct 1.JPG
stabs correct 1.JPG (73.71 KiB) Viewed 6609 times
mx stabs correct 2.JPG
mx stabs correct 2.JPG (67.49 KiB) Viewed 6609 times

User avatar
SneakyRobb
THINK

10 Oct 2020, 18:11

Hi,

So that model m case never arrived. No problem though. I am doing some test fitting right now and need to adjust the foam as it's causing keys to bind.

Otherwise I should have this fully working by the end of the weekend. Using just Beamspring keycaps for now before I get the stabs working right.
20201010_112348.jpg
20201010_112348.jpg (3.29 MiB) Viewed 6442 times

User avatar
SneakyRobb
THINK

10 Oct 2020, 19:05

For the stabs I found they do in fact sit too low. This is only really a large issue for the space bar. What im going to do is either make a new stab vertical, or shave off an existing one and glue a hat ontop of it. I think the hat method will be easier.

Left side has a taller cross which I am not sure I could make easily.
stabs 1.jpg
stabs 1.jpg (53.21 KiB) Viewed 6431 times
Right side I would shave down the existing cross, make an extension piece that glues on top. This seems easier so that's what Ill try
stab hat.jpg
stab hat.jpg (35.93 KiB) Viewed 6431 times

cakeanalytics

11 Oct 2020, 16:33

This is coming along nicely. Congrats!
Any chance you'll be selling kits when you're done?

User avatar
ZedTheMan

11 Oct 2020, 18:35

Oh wow, so much progress! I love this project, and seconding question of kits.

User avatar
SneakyRobb
THINK

11 Oct 2020, 23:45

Hi

Thanks. I am unsure about kits. My goal really was just to make a keyboard for fun. I wanted to create and share the process and not necessarily sell any product. Regardless I want to share the design. Also currently we can only reconfigure existing beamspring switches into new layouts. Still have not perfected creating new beams/stems.

That said, people with beamsprings could reconfigure them to any layout they want which is cool. Of course based on the previous design work from wcass and help from DMA.

As well I must also thank purdeaandrei for his help with the xwhatsit as well as kmnov and listofoptions.

As well I just hit 2 problems of my own making! Should be able to fix!

First I foolishly used the 1/2 foam cutter for model f. The beamspring foam is sliiiightly wider. Meaning the foam is compressing sideways the tops of the housings, causing the keys to bind.

Here is the x key binding
x key bind.jpg
x key bind.jpg (3.85 MiB) Viewed 6293 times
I took out the foam and it works!... but 2nd problem.

I forgot to include a jumper wire relief area. This is causing the entire board to short.

Here is where you can see the flex
durr.jpg
durr.jpg (3.43 MiB) Viewed 6293 times
and here is where I should have added a cutout.
bottom plate og.JPG
bottom plate og.JPG (33.8 KiB) Viewed 6293 times
bottom plate.JPG
bottom plate.JPG (29.88 KiB) Viewed 6293 times

Basically right now the leads from the jumpers are pressing onto the bottom steel plate causing shorts. I will need to saw or dremel a channel for them to go without interference. STILL. I want to finish this very very soon.

Robb

User avatar
Redmaus
Gotta start somewhere

12 Oct 2020, 00:06

Amazing progress, I would love to see this go further! I also have a case if you are interested, PM'ing now :)

User avatar
SneakyRobb
THINK

25 Oct 2020, 01:25

Hi, So I will soon have the model m silver badge from Redmaus for a top case. Will decide how to mod. Maybe use some wood for wrist wrest. Keyboard module works for about 35-65 mins before error. Maybe due to no ground plane or also unclean flyplates. Basically works good though. Currently using $10 through hole xwhatsit. I have also decided I like original caps for now. So for this specific keyboard I will try to make SA style keycaps for the modifiers.

Current 2u backspace keycap model
https://grabcad.com/library/2u-beammx-keycap-1

Using random keycaps for now. I thought I would try to use MX keycaps with custom stems. This works but the originals are so nice. For now I want to try to resin make mx stab compatibles. I will make these with the angle stems. I will also add just the side bluff areas as well. I might fort the legend make slightly sunken legends with white paint then use clear coat to fill them in.
keyboards.jpg
keyboards.jpg (2.97 MiB) Viewed 6065 times
This side bluff is obvs too big
side view.JPG
side view.JPG (77.3 KiB) Viewed 6065 times
Because they are rotated I had to rotate the cherry mx stabilizer tube with angle and length.
Attachments
need to adjust keycap.JPG
need to adjust keycap.JPG (54.26 KiB) Viewed 6065 times
oh yes.JPG
oh yes.JPG (57.54 KiB) Viewed 6065 times
backspace.JPG
backspace.JPG (122.67 KiB) Viewed 6065 times

ZyBeR

04 Nov 2020, 23:38

Very impressive work 👌🏻

User avatar
darkcruix

20 Mar 2021, 20:23

Can't wait to hear / see any updates ;)

User avatar
SneakyRobb
THINK

20 Mar 2021, 21:06

darkcruix wrote:
20 Mar 2021, 20:23
Can't wait to hear / see any updates ;)
Hi, this is a good reminder. Sometimes I need to remind myself to do projects. So I do actually appreciate this. Will try to get something out to share soon.

User avatar
Bjerrk

20 Mar 2021, 21:08

SneakyRobb wrote:
20 Mar 2021, 21:06
darkcruix wrote:
20 Mar 2021, 20:23
Can't wait to hear / see any updates ;)
Hi, this is a good reminder. Sometimes I need to remind myself to do projects. So I do actually appreciate this. Will try to get something out to share soon.
That's what I call a cliffhanger!

Post Reply

Return to “Workshop”