DecentXL mechanical keyboard for Atari 600/800XL - ABBUC Hardware Competition 2023
Verfasst: 30.07.2023 15:37
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Heute wurde von Bertrand (aka ScreamingAtTheRadio) sein Beitrag für den AHC 2023 eingereicht:
Hier stellt Bertrand sein eigenes Projekt kurz selbst vor:
# DecentXL mechanical keyboard for Atari 600/800XL - ABBUC Hardware Competition
I'd like to submit this new design for your consideration in the 2023 hardware competition.
The DecentXL keyboard is a drop-in replacement keyboard for Atari 600XL and 800XL computers.
It is designed for people who need to replace a broken keyboard, or want to upgrade to a modern mechanical keyboard.
The new keyboards exist in two versions:
1. The modern layout that you see in the photo above is entirely new and does not require a donor keyboard. The layout features a narrower space bar, leaving space for a control key to the left and a break key to the right. It has a convenient oversized ISO return key and a wide backspace. Finally, caps is at the same spot as on a PC keyboard, above left shift.
2. The vintage layout requires a donor keyboard, of which it re-uses the caps. It is visually indistinguishable from the original keyboard once assembled.
Both versions feature adjustable backlighting:
This is a high-quality, hand-assembled made-to-order keyboard:
• Can be built with any MX-compatible switches for the modern version, Kailh Choc v2 switches or Matias Alps-compatible switches for the vintage version
• Anti-ghosting diode on each switch
• An aluminium plate rigidifies the assembly and keeps switches perfectly aligned
• 3D-printed brackets solidly mount the keyboard to the XL top case
• A custom flexible PCB connects the keyboard to the motherboard
## Video
I made a 5 minute video presenting the keyboard: https://youtu.be/AVq3QIOBxNM
## Summary
Type of device: keyboard
Purpose: drop-in replacement
Compatible with devices: Atari 600XL, Atari 800XL
Available connectors: connects into the original 24 pin connector on the motherboard through a flexible PCB, or the connector can be replaced with a soldered adapter and a standard FFC 26 pin 1mm pitch cable.
Power supply: none needed, provided as part of the standard pinout of the motherboard's keyboard connector.
Current consumption: depending on brightness setting, 0 to ~100mA.
## Notes:
The photos are from my first prototype of the modern version (v1.0), and the final product may differ in a number of ways.
For instance, the blank right shift is an error from our key cap provider, not a deliberate design choice. The final product has a legend on all caps.
The fabrication files submitted for the contest are version 1.1, integrating all modifications I had to make on the prototype.
Heute wurde von Bertrand (aka ScreamingAtTheRadio) sein Beitrag für den AHC 2023 eingereicht:
Hier stellt Bertrand sein eigenes Projekt kurz selbst vor:
# DecentXL mechanical keyboard for Atari 600/800XL - ABBUC Hardware Competition
I'd like to submit this new design for your consideration in the 2023 hardware competition.
The DecentXL keyboard is a drop-in replacement keyboard for Atari 600XL and 800XL computers.
It is designed for people who need to replace a broken keyboard, or want to upgrade to a modern mechanical keyboard.
The new keyboards exist in two versions:
1. The modern layout that you see in the photo above is entirely new and does not require a donor keyboard. The layout features a narrower space bar, leaving space for a control key to the left and a break key to the right. It has a convenient oversized ISO return key and a wide backspace. Finally, caps is at the same spot as on a PC keyboard, above left shift.
2. The vintage layout requires a donor keyboard, of which it re-uses the caps. It is visually indistinguishable from the original keyboard once assembled.
Both versions feature adjustable backlighting:
This is a high-quality, hand-assembled made-to-order keyboard:
• Can be built with any MX-compatible switches for the modern version, Kailh Choc v2 switches or Matias Alps-compatible switches for the vintage version
• Anti-ghosting diode on each switch
• An aluminium plate rigidifies the assembly and keeps switches perfectly aligned
• 3D-printed brackets solidly mount the keyboard to the XL top case
• A custom flexible PCB connects the keyboard to the motherboard
## Video
I made a 5 minute video presenting the keyboard: https://youtu.be/AVq3QIOBxNM
## Summary
Type of device: keyboard
Purpose: drop-in replacement
Compatible with devices: Atari 600XL, Atari 800XL
Available connectors: connects into the original 24 pin connector on the motherboard through a flexible PCB, or the connector can be replaced with a soldered adapter and a standard FFC 26 pin 1mm pitch cable.
Power supply: none needed, provided as part of the standard pinout of the motherboard's keyboard connector.
Current consumption: depending on brightness setting, 0 to ~100mA.
## Notes:
The photos are from my first prototype of the modern version (v1.0), and the final product may differ in a number of ways.
For instance, the blank right shift is an error from our key cap provider, not a deliberate design choice. The final product has a legend on all caps.
The fabrication files submitted for the contest are version 1.1, integrating all modifications I had to make on the prototype.