Lucie / minuteJul 11, 2024
currently trying to finish a new version of the MNT Reform Keyboard for the Reform Next (but will be backwards compatible). it has an RP2040 MCU and RGB backlight (individual for each key). still needs a bunch of routing.
Show threadjoschJul 11, 2024
@mntmn Could maybe the traces somewhere in the highlighted area be routed so that a big-enough circular space is created such that people adventurous enough with a drill or dremel can try out a track-stick mod without having to manufacture their own custom keyboard PCBs first? Thank you for considering! 🙃
Context:
https://community.mnt.re/t/another-alternate-keyboard-idea/1915/5
Another alternate keyboard idea

I have been a long-time trackpoint enjoyer as I used various thinkpads models for about 15 years as my main laptop before I switched to the reform. So I understand the excitement. I much prefer a trackpoint over a touchpad because it allows my fingers to stay on the home row while operating the pointer. Since the MNT Reform Trackball also has this property, I’m not looking back much. But… today I disassembled some old Thinkpad keyboards I had floating around and this let me come back to this th...

MNT Research Community
Show threadLucie / minute
@josch like that? do you have a 3d model of the track stick module?
Jul 12, 2024 at 12:52pmWeb
Show threadLucie / minuteJul 12, 2024
@josch ahh i see now it basically needs a hole to poke through, the actual joystick base thing gets mounted much lower in the enclosure https://github.com/joh/crkbd-trackpoint
GitHub - joh/crkbd-trackpoint: Add a trackpoint to a corne-cherry (crkbd) keyboard for ergonomic pointing bliss.

Add a trackpoint to a corne-cherry (crkbd) keyboard for ergonomic pointing bliss. - joh/crkbd-trackpoint

GitHub
Show threadjoschJul 12, 2024
@mntmn Yes, exactly. :)
Show threadjoschJul 12, 2024
@mntmn Oh wow, that's a *lot* of free space! Thank you! No, I do not have a 3D model. I only have the product pictures in the forum thread i linked and i have a few thinkpad modules here. Would it help if I created a small 3D model of one of them? Thank you!! ❤️
Show threadLucie / minuteJul 12, 2024
@josch yes a 3d model or dimensions would help a lot in trying to find a position in kicad 3d viewer
Show threadjoschJul 12, 2024

@mntmn The board with the sensor I have looks like this in openscad:

cube([14, 19, 0.5]);
translate([(14-4.5)/2,10,0.5]) cube([4.5, 4.5, 3]);

That board would be put under the keyboard pcb. It would be nice if there were space for the sensor box (4.5 mm each side) could stick through the hole as that would make the whole thing more compact.

On top of the box, the stick would be mounted. I have no dimensions of that but supposedly a labret cheek piercing works well:

https://github.com/alonswartz/trackpoint#q-what-should-i-use-for-the-trackpoint-stemstick

GitHub - alonswartz/trackpoint: How to integrate a trackpoint in a mechanical keyboard

How to integrate a trackpoint in a mechanical keyboard - alonswartz/trackpoint

GitHub