Add apple II keyboard build page

David Fenyes 2021-11-06 14:11:11 -05:00
parent 9b03a7ad54
commit 0b63d5127d
19 changed files with 124 additions and 2 deletions

@ -6,7 +6,8 @@ This wiki will collect technical notes, assembly and configuration guides, tips
[Classic Keyboard build guide](classic-keyboard-build)
[Apple II notes](apple-ii-notes)
[Apple II build guide](apple-ii-notes/building.md)
[Apple II notes](apple-ii-notes/apple-ii-notes.md)
[Encoder nodes (2560-based)](encoder-2560-notes)
<details>

@ -28,4 +28,4 @@ Parts:
* (qty 4) standoff, 6-32, 5/8". Example: https://www.mcmaster.com/93505A443
* (qty 4) internal tooth lock washers, #6. Example: https://www.mcmaster.com/91108A140
* (qty 4) plastic washers, #6 (optional). Example: https://www.mcmaster.com/90295A380
</details>
</details>

121
apple-ii-notes/building.md Normal file

@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
Building the keyboard
This document walks through the keyboard assembly process for the classic keyboard in Apple II configuration, using Cherry MX keys.
<details>
<summary>Gather the parts</summary>
If you got the kit from ReActiveMicro, then your kit will include:
- A Keyboard PCB
- an aligner PCB
- an encoder PCB
- a bag of components and connectors
- a bag of #4 hardware to mount the aligner and encoder to the PCB
- a bag of #6 hardware to mount the keyboard to an Apple II case.
[[images/parts.jpg]]
</details>
<details>
<summary>Prepare the keyboard PCB</summary>
A few parts must be added to the PCB before attaching the aligner, because these
parts will be difficult or impossible to add once the keyboard is assembled. Note: the keyboard is designed to accommodate SMT diodes and resistors. If you got your kit from me or from ReActiveMicro, the SMT components are already installed:
[[images/smt_installed.jpg]]
1. Solder the 40-pin header to the back side of the PCB. The connector should be
opposite the silk-screen side, as illustrated:
[[images/connector-female.jpg]]
1. Install the spacebar stabilizer hardware on the PCB. Make sure the metal
stabilizer rod is properly installed. Both of the stabilizers should move
freely, and should move together. (If you have the ReActiveMicro kit, the
stabilizer hardware is included with the spacebar in the keycap set.)
[[images/spacebar-stabilizer-hardware-unpacked.jpg]]
[[images/spacebar-stabilizer-hardware-installed.jpg]]
1. Install the two encoder standoffs as shown: The nuts will be on the front of
the keyboard (the silk screen side). No locknuts are necessary here.
[[images/encoder-standoffs-back.jpg]]
[[images/encoder-standoffs-front.jpg]]
</details>
<details>
<summary>Assemble the keyboard aligner</summary>
The keyboard aligner not only ensures that the keys are properly aligned--it
also forms a torsion box with the PCB to add stiffness to the completed
assembly. Be sure not to leave out the lockwashers, as they help to stabilize
the torsion-box structure, along with the soldered-in keyswitches.
[[images/aligner-assembly-hardware.jpg]]
1. Install the 7/16 machine screws, with a lockwasher for each screw, in the
aligner. There will be five screws along the top and four along the bottom of
the aligner, as shown. Once installed, secure the screws using masking tape
or painters tape.
[[images/aligner-assembly-screws.jpg]]
2. turn over the aligner, and slip a 1/8" plastic spacer over each screw.
[[images/aligner-assembly-spacers.jpgaligner-assembly-spacers.jpg]]
3. Fit the upside-down PCB over the screws to complete the aligner-spacer-PCB sandwich.
[[images/aligner-assembly-sandwich.jpg]]
4. Secure the screws by installing lockwashers and hex nuts on the back of the
PCB. Tighten the hex nuts with sufficient torque to flatten and fully engage
the lockwashers.
[[images/aligner-assembly-complete.jpg]]
</details>
<details>
<summary>Install the switches</summary>
1. The Apple II layout has 53 keys. The classic keyboard can accommodate a larger layout and therefore has more keys than used by the Apple II configuration. If you need the Apple II layout in order to mount the keyboard in an Apple II case, then you will want to avoid placing keys outside the Apple II layout (and then having to desolder them). Therefore, I suggest first installing "boundary" keys for each row. Populate the following:
- The second key in the top row.
- The first key in each of the second, third, and fourth rows
- The third-to-last key in each row (the last two keys in each row will be unpopulated)
- The spacebar keyboard
[[images/]]
2. Install the rest of the keys, filling in the rows between the "boundary" keys.
[[images/]]
Notes:
- I like to solder the switches in one row at a time. That way, it's harder to miss a lead than if all the switches are installed before soldering.
- The switch leads are thin and fragile. Make sure the leads are straight before installing each switch.
- Before soldering a row of switches inspect the PCB visually and by feel to make sure both leads made it through the PCB for each switch.
</details>
<details>
<summary>Install the LED</summary>
Install the LED on the POWER switch. There is a slot along the bottom of the switch that provides access to the LED pads on the PCB. The long lead is the anode (the + side), and should be on the LEFT side as you face the keyboard.
An amber LED is included in the components kit, but feel free to choose any color you prefer.
If you plan on populating the full classic layout, you may also want to install an LED at the position marked "caps lock" on the PCB
</details>
<details>
<summary>Install the keycaps</summary>
As you can see, the classic keycap set includes additional keycaps beyond the Apple 2 keycap set, in case you should choose to populate the full classic layout. There are a few keycaps beyond the standard classic layout, to permit some flexibility in the layout, according to taste. Note that if you alter the layout, you may wish to make some changes to the keymaps in the firmware.
</details>

Binary file not shown.

After

Width:  |  Height:  |  Size: 436 KiB

Binary file not shown.

After

Width:  |  Height:  |  Size: 439 KiB

Binary file not shown.

After

Width:  |  Height:  |  Size: 480 KiB

Binary file not shown.

After

Width:  |  Height:  |  Size: 462 KiB

Binary file not shown.

After

Width:  |  Height:  |  Size: 437 KiB

Binary file not shown.

After

Width:  |  Height:  |  Size: 396 KiB

Binary file not shown.

After

Width:  |  Height:  |  Size: 483 KiB

Binary file not shown.

After

Width:  |  Height:  |  Size: 392 KiB

Binary file not shown.

After

Width:  |  Height:  |  Size: 330 KiB

Binary file not shown.

After

Width:  |  Height:  |  Size: 303 KiB

Binary file not shown.

After

Width:  |  Height:  |  Size: 482 KiB

Binary file not shown.

After

Width:  |  Height:  |  Size: 518 KiB

Binary file not shown.

After

Width:  |  Height:  |  Size: 470 KiB

Binary file not shown.

After

Width:  |  Height:  |  Size: 471 KiB

Binary file not shown.

After

Width:  |  Height:  |  Size: 479 KiB

Binary file not shown.

After

Width:  |  Height:  |  Size: 481 KiB