deskthority

Hello/Help.
I am currently developing an interactive kiosk prototype and want to make a really beautiful mechanical keyboard to it.
Since I want it to be properly backlit with big legends I will use pushbutton switches like this:



The buttons will be mounted on an oak wood board with individual holes cut out by a cnc for each switch.
Now I need help with soldering everything together (resistance needed for the led’s) and connect to a programmable microcontroller with usb or ps2 output. Make a proper keyboard of it basically.
I’m not very good with electronics so I need help. Anyone who know a keyboard person located in Stockholm, Sweden I can contact for this? Yes, I’m ready to pay for it of course.

Interesting buttons and caps. Wherever did you get them?

If I was building this, I'd use Soarer's Controller:

http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/soar ... t6767.html

One chip (<€20) to hook up to your matrix and make a USB keyboard, plus tons of customisable powers included. You seem to know what you're doing given what I see in that picture above!

Welcome. Search for Teensy 2.0.

And maybe get some breadboard cables like these:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/210-Stuck-Breadb ... 51b6cbbd60

Also: How many keys will your keyboard have? Multiple keys pressed at the same time?

Thank you fr your input, yes I'm thinking Teensy as well.

However I 'm now looking for a company or a person in Stockholm or at least Sweden who can put this together for me (soldering the matrix and connect to, and program the controller), so all tips on that would be appreciated.

I live in Stockholm and might be able to help out. I have some prior experience with building custom keyboards. http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/mec6 ... t4522.html

Nice work Tlt, I must give that a good read sometime!

Thanks

Thank you tlt, I have sent you a DM

I realized that I don't have time for this project, anyone else?

I am also in Stockholm, and have some extra time so that I could help out. I have not (yet) made any full keyboard of my own design from scratch, but I am getting there: so far kits (Phantom, ErgoDox), plate, cases, mods and firmware (not yet my own USB stack). I know my way around QCad, but not done any PCB design.

I am not too knowledgeable about electronics but keyboards are usually not very complex. I do know a little about backlighting, but I think I have some more reading to do before I can advice you about it. I suppose you don't need individually programmable backlight like fancy gaming keyboards ...

If you think you need deeper expertise in electronics, I suggest that you advertise on the Swedish http://www.elektronikforumet.com/ . It has a section where you can buy / sell services.