Open Source Atari XE keyboard (130XE/800XE style)

[mozzwald]

8 hours ago, Krenath said:

I haven't located any sites yet where I can order custom-printed custom-colored keycaps, but I would think that putting together something for the original 800 wouldn't be too difficult.

 

6 hours ago, gianlucarenzi said:

I found 3 companies can do custom keycaps, but they need 200 orders or so just to begin productions.

https://www.maxkeyboard.com/ansi-layout-custom-color-cherry-mx-keycap-set.html

Custom colors, custom printed, single sets

5 hours ago, gianlucarenzi said:

My main goal is to be easy to solder. The ffc cables are everything but easy to solder.

I propose to add both the FFC and through hole. I solder FFC connectors all the time and it's easy peasy  

 

Have you had any boards made yet? I'm interested in the XE board

[gianlucarenzi]

1 hour ago, mozzwald said:

 

https://www.maxkeyboard.com/ansi-layout-custom-color-cherry-mx-keycap-set.html

Custom colors, custom printed, single sets

One of the 3 companies is Maxkeyboard. I am awaiting their quotation since end of October. At first glance they asked me about 200 USD for a single set because the startup of the machineries for a single set is about 100 USD, so about 100 USD for the key caps. The keycap profile is DSA, the material is PBT and the printing method is UV Print. 

They do not last so much... But they can be as good as the other companies product...

The other two companies gives me Double shot printed keycaps, PBT and the profile is SA, or OEM. Much better looking to me.

 

1 hour ago, mozzwald said:

I propose to add both the FFC and through hole. I solder FFC connectors all the time and it's easy peasy  

Easy peasy? Not sure... Remember leadfree solder? Higher temp for melting solder and too much time for the ffc connector.

1 hour ago, mozzwald said:

Have you had any boards made yet? I'm interested in the XE board

Yes. But they are prototypes. As soon as I have something good to show you off I will do. Meanwhile feel free to clone my repo and do all modifications you asking for.

 

Regards,

Gianluca

[+ZuluGula]

@gianlucarenzi, does the placement of the switches for function keys on XE pcb can accommodate some kind of 3D printed rhombus key cap? I mean one design for all function keys, that will fit in Atari top shell. Does ST function keycaps fit Cherry MX cross?

[gianlucarenzi]

7 minutes ago, ZuluGula said:

@gianlucarenzi, does the placement of the switches for function keys on XE pcb can accommodate some kind of 3D printed rhombus key cap? I mean one design for all function keys, that will fit in Atari top shell. Does ST function keycaps fit Cherry MX cross?

The space between function keys on XE is 1.5u as the original rhombus shaped keycaps. It's a matter of shape (3D print is ok as soon as you provide the MX Cherry stem). Otherwise you need to print another 3D top cover of the Atari XE (adding F1...F4 keys too) with the rectangular function keys hole.

And this is what I am trying to do... @Matej should be quicker than me for this!

[wildstar87]

These might work to replace the Start,Select function key row.  https://pimpmykeyboard.com/f10-flat-key-keyset/

Then maybe wrapping them with brushed metal vinyl, or possibly getting some metal stickers made.  I mean for the XL keyboards.

Edited April 28, 2021 by wildstar87

[venom4728a]

I am interested in an xl and an xe version. please let me know if these become available as a kit or assembled.

[gianlucarenzi]

6 hours ago, wildstar87 said:

These might work to replace the Start,Select function key row.  https://pimpmykeyboard.com/f10-flat-key-keyset/

Then maybe wrapping them with brushed metal vinyl, or possibly getting some metal stickers made.  I mean for the XL keyboards.

Yes they can be used for XL keyboard. Thank you for point me in this direction. I see also they are very pricey. ?

[gianlucarenzi]

5 hours ago, venom4728a said:

I am interested in an xl and an xe version. please let me know if these become available as a kit or assembled.

For sure! Yesterday I received the V2 keyboard PCBs and new set of Cherry MX 5 pins switches. I will try them as soon as possible.

[wildstar87]

On 4/28/2021 at 11:34 PM, gianlucarenzi said:

Yes they can be used for XL keyboard. Thank you for point me in this direction. I see also they are very pricey. ?

You can buy the modifier set which is cheaper, and basically half of the full set.

[wildstar87]

FYI, I got a quote in Sept of 2019, from Definitive Plastics on pricing breakdown.  I'm sure it's more now, but at least it can give you an idea, Apparently it's pretty much any method and material just about.  So double shot, or printing.

 

Volume pricing for sets:

5 sets                      $337.49 per set
10 sets                    $180.28 per set
25 sets                    $89.02 per set
50 sets                    $58.60 per set
75 sets                    $48.46 per set
100 sets                 $43.39 per set
150 sets                 $38.32 per set
200 sets                 $35.78 per set
250 sets                 $33.96 per set
 

Note that prices quoted do not include shipping costs.

Thanks!

Edited May 2, 2021 by wildstar87

[wildstar87]

On 11/17/2020 at 8:33 PM, gianlucarenzi said:

Easy peasy? Not sure... Remember leadfree solder? Higher temp for melting solder and too much time for the ffc connector.

The trick to these is drag soldering with a good amount of flux, then it's pretty easy. 

[cbelcher]

So how did version 2 go?  Any changes you anticipate? I'd like to make a couple of these

[gianlucarenzi]

10 hours ago, cbelcher said:

So how did version 2 go?  Any changes you anticipate? I'd like to make a couple of these

I changed the cherry mx switches from 3 pins to 5 pins to have more stability without a top plate (as the Atari plastic case does not permit this). At the moment I am awating 3D print top cover to adapt the extra function keys and the diamond shape functions or 1.5U function keys. So as soon as I can obtain these 3d printed cases I will check them against the V2.  And the USB keyboard adapter with a STM32F401 is working great with V1!!!

[venom4728a]

I commit to buying at least 2 keyboard kits, if we can get in the $50 to $60 range for the parts costs.

 

If and when they are available!

 

 

Edited July 9, 2021 by venom4728a

[Fell]

Any updates?  I would get at least 2 keyboards/

[gianlucarenzi]

Here is the progress status.

- 3D Printed Case with original function keys cutouts (HELP, START, SELECT, OPTION & RESET)

- 3D Printed Case with 9 function keys cutouts (F1, F2, F3, F4, HELP, START, SELECT, OPTION & RESET)

- 3D Resin Printed keycaps with waterslide legends with some chemicals to fix and wear-resistant stuff. (I discourage to do this)

- Super High quality vynil stickers with blank keycaps on XDA or DSA profile (mine were not white/creamy so I painted them before applying stickers) Very good feel and touch.

- 5 side - Dye Sublimation keycaps (XDA profile) Excellent feeling and typing but it's quite expensive just to have a Minimum Order Quantity to achieve that.

- The latter can be done for XL machines too.

 

Sorry for bad light and colors but I do not change my smartphone soon.

 

Please share the progress as much as you can.

 

My goal is to have:

 

1- XE (800XE, 65XE, 65XEM, 130XE...) drop-in replacement keyboard (with 3d-printed 5 function keys)

2- As (1) but with a 3D printed top-cover with the 9 function keys (they can be 3d-printed as the original, or the cutout can be square for standard 1.5u function keys)

3- XL (800XL and 600XL) drop-in replacement keyboard with 3d-printed 5 function keys [and painted in brushed aluminum paint] or standard 1u function keys)

4- As (2) but with a 3D printed top-cover with the extra holes for F1...F4 keys.

5- Atari 800 keyboard as drop-in replacement.

 

All with DYE SUB Keycaps, with new PCBs and cherryMX mechanical switches.

 

And, last but not least, all the keyboard will be ready to be used as USB Keyboard (layout drivers are a work in progress, and they will include Linux Xorg Keyboard layout, OS-X keyboard layout and Microsoft Windows keyboard layout)

 

Regards,

[+Stephen]

Fantastic progress!

[gianlucarenzi]

Now the new Atari XE case in VCS 2600 style.

What do you think?

The badge is missing and the front wooden plate is missing too. Also the orange LED is missing. Stay tuned! And feel free to spread this project. I hope to start a production run on Kickstarter. @Philsan spread the word everywhere!

Edited August 6, 2022 by gianlucarenzi

[gianlucarenzi]

Some other layouts

[gianlucarenzi]

@flashjazzcat and @ScreamingAtTheRadio Your comments about this project is very important because you all are inspirational people to me. Please tell me what do you think about the 3D printed cases (XE style and VCS 2600 Style) and for PCBs and keycaps... I would like to start a Kickstarter crowfunding someday in the next autumn season. So no more broken mylars, no yellowed cases or keycaps.

[flashjazzcat]

I'm not so crazy about the XE design, since the console keys don't match the colour of the case, and the text on the keys should be grey rather than black (this would be easier on the eyes, although bear in mind I'm not such a big fan of the XE styling anyway). I much prefer the brown keyboard in the 2600 style case; the keyboard looks great and I wouldn't change a thing other than making the arrows on the cursor keys brown instead of black (perhaps this is just a pre-production thing; apologies if that's the case). The only fly in the ointment is that I don't think 3D printing is 'quite there' yet when it comes to aesthetics and finish, the contrast between the lovely, smooth key caps and the rough, grained case being quite jarring, IMO.

 

PCBs look fine to me, and the low-profile keys definitely suit the XE design. Apologies if some of my remarks concern things which have already been addressed in the thread (which I have just skim-read).

 

[gianlucarenzi]

2 minutes ago, flashjazzcat said:

I'm not so crazy about the XE design, since the console keys don't match the colour of the case,

If you mean the rectangle function keys, yes they are a different gray by design because you need to print the top case to have them installed, so to my eyes a new shape needs new shade of grey (or yellow). Otherwise the (let's call standard atari function keys) standard Atari Fn Keys are 3 printed in White PLA, but at the moment I have found a Agatha Grey (RAL7038) who is matching the original case color very well.

2 minutes ago, flashjazzcat said:

 

and the text on the keys should be grey rather than black (this would be easier on the eyes, although bear in mind I'm not such a big fan of the XE styling anyway). I much prefer the brown keyboard in the 2600 style case; the keyboard looks great and I wouldn't change a thing other than making the arrows on the cursor keys brown instead of black (perhaps this is just a pre-production thing; apologies if that's the case).

Actually the 800/XL style keycaps come in a variety of combinations. See the image attached. But there is no yellow cursor keys as you can see. Only ALPHA cursor keys (UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT) are yellow or black and they are missing all the Atari specific legends. This keycap set is meant to be a more or less keycaps replacement for Atari 800XL/600XL keycaps as well as the Atari XE Keycaps and even a standard PC keyboard too.

 

2 minutes ago, flashjazzcat said:

 

The only fly in the ointment is that I don't think 3D printing is 'quite there' yet when it comes to aesthetics and finish, the contrast between the lovely, smooth key caps and the rough, grained case being quite jarring, IMO.

 

I know. Unfortunately 3D print need a lot of post-processing to hide the 3D printing processes as you surely know. But this project is aiming to have a keyboard replacement and its keycaps, as well as a new computer case for XE systems. To have a better quality you need to have a plastic molded case, but the prices are very high even for only 1000 pcs...

 

 

2 minutes ago, flashjazzcat said:

PCBs look fine to me, and the low-profile keys definitely suit the XE design. Apologies if some of my remarks concern things which have already been addressed in the thread (which I have just skim-read).

 

No worries mate. Thanks for you suggestions

 

AXL.ai AXE.ai

[Matej]

Beautiful?. I think big SLA printers for example Phrozen, Peopoly 4k or 8k resolution will get better prices soon. And quality will be almost same as molded plastics. Personally I love classics XE design also 2600. That 2600 is very beautiful. Can imagine different colors (blue, red, green, black, transparent, glowing etc) like new A1200 cases. Will upload here also mine too (was working on A130XE case but my own design looking more like A600 little bit also finishing TT030 case). Love this project will support on Kickstarter. Also will buy 2x or 4x key/case sets. So we will have A65/130XE case/keyboard and here on AtariAge is also motherboard remake this is very important for scene.

Edited August 8, 2022 by Matej

[ScreamingAtTheRadio]

I think the best-looking combination is the new 2600 design with brown/orange mix of cap colors. It's very reminiscent of the 800, and a new case means you can get a cohesive design for the whole thing without triggering too many comparisons with the vintage hardware. It truly looks amazing!

The XE case is also amazing, and the caps are probably as close as you're going to get. Since it's a copy of an existing design, it'll always look a little off, but still amazing as a new, drop-in replacement.

I'm glad you were able to re-use some of my PCB work, yay open-source!

Just so people know, if you have vintage key caps and need to replace a faulty membrane, you also have the option to mount the vintage caps on a new PCB + mechanical switches using adapters: https://github.com/bleroy/3d-junkyard/tree/main/Atari130MX. The latest iteration is using low-profile Kailh Choc switches of your choice, and even have an option for backlighting.

It's lovely that we have so many options now to upgrade / repair / replace vintage keyboards.

Also, last I checked, Best Electronics had some XE keyboards in stock, which is a great way to scavenge vintage caps until @gianlucarenzi's caps are available.

 

Congrats on the great work!

[gianlucarenzi]

Here is the final update:

I had a couple of days @ Modena Nerd Show in Italy, with a very large attendance. A lot of people tried the keyboards and they were stunned by the Omicron XE.

Now it's time to start a Kickstarter. I am going to have some renderings, an introduction video clip, and some pricing for molding, keycaps production run and PCB and PLATE assembly.

Please be patient. In the meanwhile look at the pictures!