I started designing the Qazimodo in February and just got the first aluminum case from the manufacturer a couple days ago. Very happy with how it turned out.
this post was submitted on 18 Apr 2024
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It started as a joke but then I posted the layout from KLE on the 40% Discord and things got out of hand and the next thing I knew I was reaching out to manufacturers on Alibaba.
Could you elaborate some into your experience on Alibaba? That case is gorgeous. I'd love to hear more about the process and costs. (I have an mATX project I'd like to put in a custom little box.)
For sure! As far as process, I came up with the layout using keyboard-layout-editor.com and from there I designed the PCB in KiCad and the switch plate and case with Fusion 360. The case took a lot of trial and error to get everything fitting right so I made a lot of 3d printed prototypes before I was satisfied with it. After I had my printed prototype done I basically went on Alibaba and searched for manufacturers who had keyboard cases listed as products they could make and I messaged a bunch of them asking for quotes on 1, 3, and 25 cases (I was trying to decide on 1 or 3 prototypes and then 25 will be the minimum order quantity if it makes it to group buy). The one that gave me the lowest price was also the company that someone I've been getting advice from has used on group buys he's done, so I ended up going with them since he vouched for their quality.
The cost goes up quite a bit as the order quantity decreases, so this prototype was expensive. After shipping and fees and everything, it was over $600. I probably wouldn't have paid it if I hadn't just gotten a tax refund honestly. Some of the other manufacturers that I talked to had slightly lower prices for smaller order quantities but they were too expensive for the group buy quantity.
That's about the price I was expecting, really does need to be at least a group buy to make sense! Or a tax refund :)
Was there anything you have to do to translate the model from FDM plastic to the manufactured prototype? At $600 I'd be worried that I have snug plastic that becomes too loose or impossible to fit in a different material.
Oh I was very worried that something wouldn't fit right once I got the prototype; mostly the USB cutout. I did like 20 printed prototypes with little adjustments to the cutout until I was as confident as I could be, but I still wasn't positive it would fit because of differing tolerances but thankfully my printer was pretty much spot on with what I got from the manufacturer.
A true leap of faith! Glad it worked out, the result is really beautiful.
Thank you!