Mechanical Keyboards

An overview of mechanical keyboards, mechanical switches, different types of switches, different actuations forces an customization.

Nicholas Meschke
github.com/nixsm
linkedin.com/in/nicholas-meschke-8aa5a977/

Transcript

1. How to build a Mechanical Keyboard Nicholas
2. What is a mechanical keyboard?
3. Mechanical keyboards • Actual mechanical switches • Different types of switches • Different Actuations forces • Awesomeness • Customization
4. Non-mechanical keyboards • Membrane keyboards • Scissor switch • Really cheap • Not really easy to replace parts
5. Non-mechanical keyboards
6. Parts for a mechanical keyboard • PCB & Hand-wiring • Case & Plate • Switches • Keycaps & Stabilizers • Form factor • Firmware
7. PCB • Electronic components of the keyboard • Creates the keyboard matrix • Easiest way to make your keyboard • Expensive
9. Hand-wiring • Makeshift way to create the keyboard matrix • Usually the cheapest way • Not so easy way to create your keyboard • Lot’s of fun if you have the patience
11. Case & Plate • The shell of the keyboard • Can be made of anything sturdy enough (really)
13. Switches • Alps, Topre, Mx, Buckling spring, etc… • TONS OF MANUFACTURERS • Gives the keyboard it's feeling • Clicky, Tactile, Linear • Custom switches
14. Most common switches
15. Keycaps & Stabilizers • ABS, PBT, POM • Alps, Mx, Topre • DSA, SA, DCS, XDA • Backlight • Artisans • Stabilizers: Costar & Cherry
16. Artisan Keycaps
17. Form Factor • Full size • Tenkeyless • 60% • 40% • Split • Whatever you want
18. Form Factor
19. Firmware • Software that runs on the keyboard MCU • The brain of the keyboard • Translates the press of a keyswitch into a key press • Can be customizable • https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/
20. Customization
21. Thanks!