KB-40-A
A 40% keyboard kit with a unique stainless steel sheet metal construction and 1960s energy.
Project progress
October 2024
The second prototype is currently in the fabrication stage. The updated design includes a number of improvements on the first design, many of which were inspired by the feedback from the interest survey. We're looking to share the second prototype in early November. Though we've continued on from the interest survey phase, we're keeping the form open for the time being. If you would like to express interest or provide feedback of any kind, please feel free to share your thoughts.
Next steps
- Design
- First prototype
- Interest survey
- Design development based on community feedback
- Second prototype fabrication
- Interest survey update
0042
Pending
- Further design refinements
- Manufacturing
- In-stock sale
0043
TBD
Change log
As the design process continues, we're keeping a log of improvements we have made and plan to make. You can find it near the bottom of the page.
Features
Sheet metal construction
The KB-40-A uses thin stainless steel to create a solid enclosure with less material. Conventional sheet metal shaping gives the board soft corners and crisp edges. The case is finished with a smooth, matte black powder coating.
Like typing on a cloud, if clouds were made of steel!
Simple but substantial
Weighing 985 g (2.17 lbs), the KB-40-A has the heft of a solid CNC aluminum board, but the delicate lines of folded sheet material.
Light-up buttons
For those who enjoy control panels: two illuminated buttons toggle functions like caps lock, audio mute, and layers. The buttons latch down and light up with a satisfying, tactile click.
Straightforward assembly
Exposed, accessible screws secure the PCB and case. Lifting the hood to access switches only requires the removal of four M3 screws located on the front and back.
Doesn't need a coffee break or a pep talk—it just gets to work!
Hotswap PCB
An original PCB design by A.Okay! featuring Kailh hotswap sockets, USB-C connectivity, pre-soldered buttons and rotary encoder, and an immersion gold finish. It's an unfussy, 1.6 mm-sturdy, one-piece circuit board: no flex cuts, daughter boards, or tiny cables.
Ref 1443
File under: VIDEO, DEMONSTRATION
High-quality sound test coming very soon.
79-419022
Sounds like a keyboard
The heavy stainless steel gives the hollow case a substantial, shapable sound. Leave the interior open for resonance or add the included wool felt case padding or IXPE PCB foam to tone it down. There's room to experiment.
Here's how the board sounds with wool felt, IXPE foam, Gateron Baby Kangaroo 2.0 switches (tactile, long-pole), and MTNU keycaps.
Louder than your boss' complaints. And honestly, isn't that the dream?
Repairable
Composed entirely of readily-available, off-the-shelf components (save the case and PCB). If parts require replacement, we can either provide or tell you where to find them.
Potential sale details
This is our first manufacturing project. Should there be enough community interest, we intend to put a small initial offering of units up for sale. Each will be assembled and individually numbered by us by hand. Though some details may change, here's how we're preliminarily envisioning that sale:
Details of sale
| Sale structure | In-stock (no group buy) |
| Quantity | 10–20 units |
| Pricing target | $200–300 USD |
| Build options | Limited, if any For instance:No color options, no wireless option, no solder PCB option |
| Customer support | Bending over backwards |
If there were to be additional interest in the kit following this initial sale, we might consider another round. Or maybe some improvements, followed by a version 2. Or maybe moving on to another project altogether.
Tech specs
Supported layouts
| Drawn by | SMO |
| Checked by | RMK |
| Remarks | Fine |
Inventory
- Case top and bottom
- Stainless steel plate (with a matching, matte black powder coat finish)
- PCB with pre-soldered buttons and rotary encoder
- Fasteners
- Feet for flat and 2° typing angle
- PCB gaskets
- Rotary encoder knob
- Sound dampening
- Screwdriver
0057
Approved
Measurements
| Typing angle | Flat or 2° |
| Width | 236 mm (9 5/16") |
| Length | 142 mm (5 5/8") |
| Front height (including feet) | 21 mm (13/16") |
| Overall height (to top of case) | 23 mm (15/16") |
| Overall height (including knob) | 32 mm (1 1/4") |
| Weight | 985 g (2.17 lbs) |
PCB
| Thickness | 1.6 mm |
| Connectivity | USB-C No wireless option |
| Switch connection | Kailh hot swap sockets Supports MX switches only |
| Mounting | Tray mount with rubber gaskets |
| Flex | No flex cuts |
| Firmware | Built with QMK, Via pre-installed Written by Robert Kleemann (sizezero on Discord and Github) |
| Designed by | A-Okay! |
Materials
| Case top, case bottom, and plate | Stainless steel, matte black powder coating(Recyclable) |
| Fasteners | Stainless steel(Recyclable) |
| Feet and PCB gaskets | SBR synthetic rubber(Auto tire rubber, recyclable depending on locality) |
| Sound dampening | Wool felt case padding(Compostable) IXPE PCB foam(Non-recyclable) |
| PCB | Standard FR4 with immersion gold finish(Partially recyclable depending on locality) |
| Packaging | 100% cardboard and paper, except foil PCB bag(Recyclable) |
document ✓
In the works
As we move forward, we're noting improvements we have made and plan to make. Here's a running log:
Improvement protocol
- Better bottom row with a long spacebar option
- Iron out the kinks in the PCB mounting process; replace certain components with larger alternatives that are easier to manipulate
- Rotate all 90-degree hotswap sockets to 0 or 180 degrees to avoid problematic keycap mounting
- Explore adding a second finish option (likely a warm, matte white powder coat)
- Add a lid with an integrated cover and handle that doubles as a wrist rest
133.32429
draft
About
A.Okay! is a design endeavor by Sean O'Neill, a residential architect based in Seattle. His architectural projects have been featured in Dwell magazine and a couple coffee table books. You can find more about that professional work at seanoneill.us.
Connect
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Registration form
Confidential
Detach and retain
Confirmation of subscription to electronic mailing list
75.50298
We'll also be sharing updates in an interest check post on GeekHack and an interest check post on Reddit.
Email us at heyheyaokay@gmail.com.
We may set up a Discord server if the project moves forward.