Title: Kicking Off Our Keyboard Crafting Adventure at MinakiLabs
Welcome to the inaugural blog post of MinakiLabs! As we embark on this exciting journey, we wanted to share where we're at, where we're heading, and how we're gearing up to revolutionize our approach to designing and producing custom mechanical keyboards.
Starting From Scratch
Our passion for mechanical keyboards isn't new, but making them from scratch certainly is. We’re diving headfirst into the world of keyboard design while simultaneously sharpening our software development skills—software might not be our main expertise yet, but we’re learning fast and having fun along the way!
Designing Our First Keyboard
Our first project has been a thrilling ride. I've just completed the design for our first keyboard layout—a sleek 68% keyboard that's about 311 mm wide. This size is perfect for those who cherish compact efficiency but still want a functional range of keys, including dedicated arrow keys. Designing wasn’t a breeze, especially as a newcomer, but each step was a learning opportunity, influencing not just the aesthetics but also the functionality of the keyboard.
The 3D Printing Saga
To bring our designs to life, we started with an Ender 3 printer, a fantastic tool but, unfortunately, a bit too small for our ambitions. Our keyboards, like the first 68% model, need a bit more room to breathe. So, we’re leveling up to a larger 3D printer that can handle everything from 60% to 79% models comfortably, allowing us to prototype faster and experiment more freely. It’s thrilling to think about the prototypes we’ll soon be churning out, refining our designs with each print.
Expanding Our Services
But why stop at keyboards? With a new, larger 3D printer, MinakiLabs will also offer printing services. Whether it's a unique gadget, a custom case, or even larger experimental projects, we're open for business. No idea is too "strange" for us to tackle—well, almost none.
More Than Just Keyboards
At MinakiLabs, we're not just keyboard designers; we're hackers, makers, and creators. We see every challenge as a stepping stone and every success as a stepping point for further exploration. This blog will be our diary, detailing every success, setback, and step forward in our adventure.
Looking Forward
As we move forward, expect to see more posts about our design process, the ups and downs of learning software development, detailed explorations of different keyboard layouts, and, of course, updates on our 3D printing capabilities. It’s a lot to take on, but we’re more excited than ever to see where this path takes us.
Stay tuned, and feel free to join our newly launched Discord community to get in on the ground floor of all things MinakiLabs!