KeebKaigi 2023 Building the Perfect Custom Keyboard Naoto Takai, Recompile Keys

About me • I have been a Rubyist since 1999 and presented at RubyKaigi in 2008 and 2009. • In 2018, I built my fi rst split keyboard, and since 2019, I've been an enthusiast and designer of custom keyboards.

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Recompile Keys Nomu30 / GMK White on Black

Recompile Keys Choco60 / GMK White on Black

Recompile Keys MIO esdf / GMK White on Black

What's a custom keyboard? • A custom keyboard is a customized mechanical keyboard that is built or modi fi ed according to an individual's preferences and requirements. • You have the fl exibility to choose various aspects of the keyboard such as the key layout, case color, key switches, keycaps, and more.

Thesiscamper Kira80 / GMK 9009

Zekk Works Ogre / GMK 8008

Di ff erences from DIY Keyboard • The DIY keyboard can be seen as part of the Maker Movement. • They share the same technology, but in di ff erent contexts. • The Ruby community organized a DIY keyboard assembly event in Matsue in 2017.

De fi ne your perfect custom keyboard • The perfect keyboard can be de fi ned as a keyboard that can be assembled exactly as you would like it to be. • What's your preference? • You may never know your preferences from the beginning. • Attend community events and try out di ff erent keyboards.

Zen words ྫྷஆࣗ஌ SFJEBOKJDIJ • Buddhist enlightenment is experiential and cannot be taught; it is like discerning water temperature through drinking, where it's a direct and personal experience that cannot be shared with others.

Problem

Auxiliary line

Solution Area of sector = 10 × 10 × 3.14 ÷ 4 = 78.5 Area of a right triangle = 10 × 10 ÷ 2 = 50 Area of the gray region = (78.5 - 50) × 2 = 57

Today’s goal • Today's goal is to draw an auxiliary line to build the perfect keyboard.

Evaluation criteria • Wine • Appearance / Aromas / Flavors / Mouthfeel / Finish • Whisky • Nose / Taste / Finish • Custom Keyboard • Appearance / Typing feel / Typing sounds • Functionality is seldom considered as an evaluation criterion.

Appearance • Include both visual and industrial design in the evaluation of appearance. • The quality of visual design is determined by the materials, shapes, and build quality. • In industrial design, the arrangement of functional elements determines the overall design.

Typing feel • Typing feel is emphasized through the balance of fl ex and consistency. • Flex has recently become popular in the keyboard community. • The fi ngertips of both hands have the highest concentration of sensory receptors, making them the most sensitive part of the body.

Typing sound • The quality of the typing sound largely depends on how well excess echo and friction noise is minimized, thus achieving a pure sound. • The words "thock" and "clack" are onomatopoeic terms used to describe the sound of a keystroke. • "Thock" refers to a deep and muted sound, while "clack" describes a sharper and louder sound.

Custom keyboard structure • In order to satisfy appearance, typing feel, and typing sounds, it has become common for modern custom keyboards to consist of the following components: • Key caps, top case, switches, stabilizers, plate, PCB, form, bottom case, and weight.

https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-q1

“Typical” custom keyboard • PBT keycaps, aluminum case, Durock/JWK linear switches, Durock stabilizers, PC plate, gasket mount, PORON form, brass weight, etc. • This is a good con fi guration for a fl ex keyboard that produces THOCK sound, but…

The impact of COVID-19 • During the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems that there has been a decrease in the diversity of keyboard con fi gurations. • In-person keyboard events have decreased. • Working remotely led to an increase in demand for keyboard. • The German lockdown disrupted GMK's schedule. • Semiconductor shortages impacting the supply chain.

After COVID-19 • I anticipate another period of evolution for custom keyboards. • Pursuit of a more e ffi cient and unique keyboard structure. • More budget custom keyboards through mass production. • Factory-lube switches go mainstream. • The decline of GMK and the popularity of PBT keycaps produced by vendors. • Switching from ATmega32U4 to RP2040.

Now is the perfect time to start exploring the world of custom keyboards.