◇ Case study

Boring Box TKL: triple-mounting system mechanical keyboard

Boring Box TKL

Prioritizing function over form, the Boring Box is a minimalist keyboard designed with a singular focus: optimal typing.

Beneath its simple exterior lies a versatile system that accommodates three distinct mounting systems and compatibility with various switch types, providing a customizable typing experience tailored to each user's preference.

Industrial Design

CAD

CNC

Mechanical Keyboard

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Overview

Opportunity

  • Personal need: customized keyboard that met my specific requirements
  • Community interest: personal project evolved into a collaborative effort between fellow enthusiasts, friends, and family.

Constraints

  • Compatibility with various after market PCBs and switches.
  • Design Expertise: minimal CAD design experience.
  • Complex Systems: integrated 3 mounting-systems (top, bottom, and grommets).
  • Cost: niche of a niche hobby, smaller interest and higher cost sharing

Accomplishments

Community collaboration: partnered with manufacturers, PCB designers, and machining advisors.

✓ Design innovations: successfully integrated top, bottom, and grommet mounts.

✓ Unique implementations: wedge design, robust weight, and self-contained storage.

✓ Physical production: organized and delivered a group-buy of 35 kits.

Results

The Boring Box TKL has been well-received by the mechanical keyboard community, with users appreciating its minimalist design, modularity, and customization options. The project has demonstrated the value of user-centered design in creating products that resonate with a specific audience.

What I Learn

I am by no means a master designer; I consider myself a student of the craft. This project was driven by my love for mechanical keyboards and design. While none of the ideas were originally mine, I found good design choices through personal experience and combined them into the Boring Box.

After creating three physical prototypes with numerous iterations, I developed a keen eye for detail and learned various CAD tool tricks. I realized how much I still had to learn, thanks to guidance from experts. As a product owner and manager, I also learned to navigate the nuances to steer the project to completion.

Design Goals

The development of the Boring Box TKL involved a focus on simplicity, functionality, and user-centric design. Key aspects of the design process included:

  • User research: understanding the needs and preferences of mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
  • Minimalist aesthetic: prioritizing a clean and uncluttered design
  • Modularity: designing a modular system that allows users to customize the keyboard to their liking
  • Compatibility: ensuring compatibility with a variety of switch types and layouts

Tech Specs

Specification

Typing Angle: 7º

Layout: Tenkeyless

Switch Support: Multiple

Winkeyless Support: Yes

Winkey Support: Yes

F-13 Support: No

Weight

Unbuilt: 8.25 lbs

Built: approx. 10 lbs

Materials

Top: Aluminum(Anodized)

Mid: Brass(Sandblasted)

Bottom: Aluminum(Anodized)

Plates: Varied

Weight: Brass(Sandblasted)

Riser: Brass(Sandblasted)

Grommets: Silicone Rubber (50A)

Plates

Cherry: F4R and Aluminum - Layout: universal or dedicated 7u

Alps: Aluminum - Layout: dedicated 7u

Omron: Carbon Fiber - Layout: dedicated 7u

Connectivity

USB-mini (default fit)

USB-C

Timeline

01
Ideation & Analysis

Dec 2019

  • Realizing the need for a keyboard that fits my specific needs completely.
  • Gathering other ideas as complimentary features if possible.
02
Detail Designs

Jan 2020

  • Prepro
  • Five failed concepts
  • Implementing complimentary features
Boring Box TKL
03
Prototypes & Revisions

Feb 2020 - Nov 2020

  • COVID - process halt
  • Three prototypes
  • At least 3 testers per prototypes
  • 1st prototype: Tactile Omrons
  • 2nd prototype: SKCL Greens
  • 3rd prototype: Vintage MX Blacks
04
Final Design

Nov 2020 - Dec 2020

  • Final revision
  • Final design doc
  • Interest check for group buy
  • Build log on Geekhack.org
Boring Box TKL
05
Groupbuy

Mar 2021 - Jun 2021

  • Establishing production queue with Foxlab
  • Backend inventory works, mostly payment related
06
Production Delivery

Jul 2021 - Nov 2021

  • Receiving product
  • QA
  • Product delivery
  • Support & closure
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