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O17

O-ring gasket, 17 keys numpad

Since getting my first custom keyboard (a 65%) I have sometimes wanted a numpad for number entry, but there has been a distinct lack of decent choices. The KBDPAD-MKII by ai03 is all well and good, but the polycarbonate version is no longer being offered, also it has one row too much to my liking. There are some wireless options but I don’t really need wireless, and they usually require proprietary software to configure.

Which led me to begin work on the O17.

Design Goals

• 5-row numpad (to match 60/65% keyboards)
• Unibody polycarbonate case with medium/thick bezels to better diffuse RGB underglow
• Simple, minimalistic shape to reduce cost

Technical Details

• 7-degree typing angle
• O-ring gasket mounting system: A piece of 90×3.5mm silicone O-Ring is placed between the plate and the PCB, surrounding all the switches. The case has posts that compress and support the O-ring, through cutouts in the PCB.
• PCB: Hotswap supporting variable layouts, RGB underglow, QMK/Vial firmware, custom USB-C daughterboard with ESD protection, numlock indicator

• Aluminum plate
• Brass badge press fit to the bottom of case
• Weight: 276g (with switches and keycaps)

Project Timeline

Dec 2021	Inception and PCB design
Feb 2022	Case design
Sept 2022	PCB and plate prototype manufactured Firmware compiled Prototype case 3d-printed and tested
Oct 2022	Case manufactured in CNC polycarbonate

(C) ArcherKeyboard 2024