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https://github.com/JesusFreke/lalboard

A 3D-printed keyboard inspired by the DataHand
https://github.com/JesusFreke/lalboard

Last synced: 10 days ago
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A 3D-printed keyboard inspired by the DataHand

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README 

        
##### lalboard - A 3D-printed keyboard inspired by the DataHand.



drawing



## Links

[More Images](https://github.com/JesusFreke/lalboard/wiki/Images)



[120 WPM Typing Demo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMhOIgrdeE0)



[V2 Project Logs (hackaday.io)](http://lalboard.com)



Online viewer for cluster assemblies:

- [finger](https://a360.co/3vxlLLL)

- [left thumb](https://a360.co/3c63TzE)

- [right thumb](https://a360.co/3c6tvws)



## Project Details

I am a long-time user of a DataHand keyboard. With the scarcity and rising cost of second hand

DataHands these days, I wanted to ensure that I always had access to a DataHand-like keyboard. And

so this project was born.



The overall functionality of the lalboard is obviously heavily based on the DataHand, but I designed

all of the specific key mechanisms, etc. from scratch, to be printable on a normal hobby-level

FDM printer.



With my DataHand, I never felt like I could get the keys positioned *quite right* for my hand. So

one of my primary focuses with the lalboard was adjustability. Each key cluster can be independently

adjusted in all 6 degrees of freedom to some extent.



Most parts need to be printed in a very opaque PLA, but there are a few parts that don't work well

in PLA which should be printed in polycarbonate or similar material, for its strength and heat

resistance.



##### Key Mechanisms



All keys use a pair of magnets to provide the clickiness and key return force, and an IR LED and

phototransistor for detecting a keypress. They are all held in place only with magnets, so they

are easily removable for cleaning, etc.



The feel/clickiness of the keys was another focus area. I tried to get them to feel as similar to

those on a DataHand as possible. They require roughly the same amount of force, and have that same

unique clicky feel due to the magnetic holding force.



##### Adjustability



The key clusters have a trio of standoffs that are designed to be mounted onto a steel sheet with

magnets. Each standoff has an adjustable height, and is mounted to the key cluster via a

ball socket. This provides a limited 6 degrees of freedom in adjusting the angle and position of

each key cluster, in order to get it perfectly positioned for your hands.



##### Electronics



This design uses copper traces that are cut from adhesive-backed copper tape using a vinyl cutter,

and applied to the bottom of 3D-printed "pcbs" printed with polycarbonate for its excellent heat

resistance during soldering. There are currently no designs for actual pcbs, but I don't think it

should be difficult to do. If someone wants to tackle that, I'm happy to give pointers or otherwise

help in any way I can :)



Each side of the keyboard uses an independent teensy 2.0 board, and are connected with 4 wires

between them to enable communication via i2c. Only one side of the keyboard actually needs to be

plugged into USB. The teensy's run a modified version of the

[teensyhand](https://github.com/JesusFreke/teensyhand) firmware.



##### Handrest



The handrest was first molded for my wrist in plasticine clay, and then scanned in using the

[meshroom](https://github.com/alicevision/meshroom) photogrammetry software. Since they were molded

for my wrists specifically, I'm not sure how "one-size-fits-all" they are, or how comfortable they

would be for someone else to use.



##### [BOM](https://github.com/JesusFreke/lalboard/wiki/BOM)



##### [Printing tips & instructions](https://github.com/JesusFreke/lalboard/wiki/Printing-tips-&-instructions)



##### [Preparing the Vinyl-cut PCBs](https://github.com/JesusFreke/lalboard/wiki/Vinyl-Cut-PCBs)



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Note: This is not an officially supported Google product.