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Sergey2011-08-23 13:26:15
Keyboard
Sergey, 2011-08-23 13:26:15

Make your own keyboard?

Here, for example, I will make a 3D model of the keyboard of my dreams.
I will make a description of how and where it should be and work.
I would like to bring it to life. Test, modify and order a large batch of such keyboards.
I understand that the cheapest production will be in China. There is an experience of buying, customs clearance of any Chinese nonsense. The question is, how to google the manufacturer of Chinese keyboards in order to talk directly with them? Alibiba all sorts and taobao - there are solid dealers.
Maybe someone knows the brands of Chinese electronics, keyboards in particular, and their websites, contacts?
At first, I just want to talk to them.
Perhaps my idea is very crazy and I don’t have enough money, but the process is even more interesting than the result, so I just want to try.
What else can you advise and recommend?

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5 answer(s)
O
Ocelot, 2011-08-23
@butteff

A very long time can pass between “testing” and “ordering a large batch”. Maybe you will abandon the idea at the prototype stage. Chinese production is cheap precisely in large quantities, and this is the final stage of the production cycle.
First you need a prototype. I advise you to look in the direction of 3D printing companies, it is cheaper to order parts for 1-10 samples from them than to start production in China right away. And no one will make molds for the sake of 10 copies.
As for electronics - the same nonsense. Only when you decide on the final look of the scheme, you can order it in the East in large quantities. At the prototyping stage, it’s more profitable to do it somewhere closer, save a lot of time, since the process will be iterative: developed v1 - made - brought - tested - developed v2, etc.

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VBart, 2011-08-23
@VBart

I recommend using German Cherry switches... ;) They are installed in everything by the well-known Das Keyboard.
I have an original Cherry keyboard with these buttons. I have not seen anything better since the legendary IBM Model M.
www.cherrycorp.com/

K
Kirill Dlussky, 2015-02-05
@Dlussky

I'm sorry for the necroposting, but I'll probably leave it here)
A man builds a keyboard from scratch. The selection of parts, assembly and firmware is described:
deskthority.net/workshop-f7/building-a-custom-keyb...
deskthority.net/workshop-f7/brownfox-step-by-step-...
deskthority.net/workshop -f7/how-to-build-your-very...
Soldering is the simplest there, there are ready-made firmware for the controller. Therefore, no extraordinary skills or equipment are required, the prototype can be easily assembled on your own (only the case will need to be ordered).

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Jazzist, 2011-08-23
@Jazzist

Another option is to find an experienced entrepreneur who has somehow gone through a similar path. You can ask him for advice, or agree on joint work.

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