EEVblog

[@TonyRueb]

I imagine the porn industry will be the first to develop feel-o-vision

[@schlomoshekelstein908]

smellovision first

[@TheJttv]

Porn industry is always the driving force in tech.

[@deserthunter8363]

They tried but, kept rusting!

[@stevenspmd]

The new tech is called AR or Actual Reality; many governments restrict its public use.

[@TonyRueb]

aww my first pinned comment. I feel special now

[@mikehibbett3301]

I did my first keypad panel with these guys; it included leds. There was a week of back and forth on the design as I learned how they really like to work, it was all very professional and the result - perfect! For my first time, I was very surprised and delighted with the result from them. The end result looks so professional for a first off prototype.

[@hjups]

Since you have been doing videos on designing, prototyping, and manufacturing parts for your uSupply, could you at some point do a video on the enclosure? I think getting a custom enclosure manufactured is one of the most confusing parts. There are also additional things like how to deal with / design a battery compartment, clamshell mating, board standoffs (or a way to hold the board with the clamshell?), making sure the LCD is secure, moisture protection, how do deal with fasteners to hold it together, what material to use, etc.

[@Audio_Simon]

To prototype at least, 3D printing is the way to go.

[@EEVblog]

That wouldn't be easy for me to do in this instance because David Ledger designed the case, and he's not with the EEVblog any more. 3D CAD and mechanical injection molding design is not my thing.

[@Wilksey37]

@@EEVblog You kept that quiet (about David L), would he not do a one off video or tell you the information to "complete" the custom theme to the video series?

[@hjups]

​@@Audio_Simon Sure 3D printing is the way to go to quickly iterate on a physical shape, however, there are additional considerations needed for injection molding design (I just don't know them very well). Also, you probably need more 3D printed material to achieve the same level of strength as an injection mold (at least with FDM), which will skew the prototyping. In short, I think most people would be comfortable with doing 3D printing for a prototype of a product enclosure, but that's not feasible nor professional enough for mass production. @EEVblog I guess that would make doing such a video difficult, hopefully he left on good terms. If so, like Wilksey37 suggested, perhaps he could do a guest video on the topic? My interest is less so on the actual 3D CAD modeling, and more on special considerations and the whole working with a molding factory process. Also, I presume you are going to have all of the parts shipped to a single assembly factory? Could you do a video on that (logistics, finding an assembler, cost considerations, etc.) even if it's a short one? (unless David L was the one who set that up).

[@St0RM33]

You need a mechanical engineer like me to do this job ;p Or do it yourself like how i do my pcb's XD

[@Fifury161]

I find it crazy that the mechanical components of an electronics project (especially the housing) usually turns out to be the most expensive part! I love this hobby!

[@randycarter2001]

I've said it on another video. They just don't teach this stuff in college. Very useful information. Thanks Dave.

[@EEVblog]

Indeed they don't

[@TheDefpom]

Very helpful Dave, was just what I needed to help tidy up this project I’ve been working on

[@EEVblog]

Show the process and results in future videos!

[@anotheruser9876]

Tactile metal domes throw me back to the late 80s and the cheap C64 joystics that used them.

[@lqqkoutrigger]

So excited to see the micro supply coming along! It looks terrific :)

[@j_wires]

Is it for sale?

[@MusikMan8675309]

You've been quoted in the new Art of Electronics: The X Chapters!!!

[@PowerScissor]

There's nothing more satisfying than a tabletop covered in those dome style tactile buttons. So satisfying to press repeatedly.

[@pepper669]

For prototyping I've taken an existing $.30 alphanumeric pad, measured the exact key dimensions etc, then made a design in Illustrator, printed it out on a laser printer onto stock paper. Then cut it out and used ample spray glue to attach it to the pad. Optionally, some matte clear coat can be used to protect the surface. The result looks really nice.

[@simontay4851]

I like your way better. Much cheaper. You can probably buy generic blank membrane keypads from china and glue your own design on top.

[@pepper669]

@@simontay4851 The paper should normally hide what's been printed underneath, especially if you're using white text on black. If not, use a thin layer of black spay paint. www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20200206053650&SearchText=membrane+switch+keypad

[@carlanwray8718]

You can now 3D Print everything but the PCB using different colors on the first layer and a small nozzle enabling you to do one off custom keypads using PETG and 98A TPU. And if you're really clever, you can even print a compliant mechanism for the tactile feedback.

[@rohannawale5674]

It was very useful information for me, because I'm going to start manufacturing these graphic overlay and membrane switch labels. Thank you for this informative video.

[@DannyBokma]

I have used them in a few projects, really impressed by them.

[@video99couk]

There was a model of Sanyo Beta (Betamax) video recorder, the VTC6500, which suffered from terrible keyboard disintegration. I wonder if there are enough enthusiasts with these machines that we could get a replacement manufactured. It's non-rectangular, partly translucent and quite large, so it wouldn't be that cheap. But if we could do them at about £20 each then I'm sure there would be a market for about 100 - 200 of them. It's just finding someone with the skills and time for the significant amount of design work involved.

[@aivansama6265]

It bugs me that the display reads "hELLo" instead of "HELLO" :P

[@GRBtutorials]

Well, that’s to avoid confusion with the number 0. As for the H, IDK, maybe it’s the font he used.

[@NeoMorphUK]

It’s from the old seven segment red LED calculators. 07734 flipped upside down was hELLo,

[@FarleyHillBilly]

@@NeoMorphUK 58008

[@2lefThumbs]

@James the CENSO__RED shortest I can come up with is 0.09 1/x ( results in 11.111111) then square it, that's 5 presses tho.... one for the decimal point, one for zero, one for 9, one for inversion and one for squaring...

[@Mr.Leeroy]

This type metal dome membrane switch was the reason I recently had to take apart laptop from top to bottom just to get to the power button that refused to function. I would not bless the world with another single key based on this tech.. It's a known issue with Dell laptops. The weird part is that dome was not worn out, clicks just fine. Moreover I had no hope to fix it, so I made a tiny mod pcb that goes into a miniPCIe slot to provide an additional power button, but then when I reassembled laptop back together, switch magically continued to work every time. The only thing I did was to accidentally `clean` the contacts with my finger. And the fact that it helped is strange too, because that button was sealed to the flex pcb with tape, so there should not be much oxidation if any.

[@Pyromonkey360]

the plastic that normally gets worn most of the time getting out of the right place by 1 μm and don't actuate the dome

[@JohnHansknecht]

I use TADA Membrane switch company and can highly recommend them. They don't have this fancy website to order from, but they do have nice support and they basically design it all for you for around $100 and you just swap a few emails to confirm the design.

[@brianzhou311]

These are some super useful info, thank you!

[@Audio_Simon]

F'in love these product design videos!!

[@EEVblog]

Gotta avoid that KZbin keyword filter.

[@shakaibsafvi97]

@EEVBlog: can you do a video on the MicroSupply's plastic housing ?

[@stuartmcconnachie]

2:47 ...always good to have a bit of stiffening on your connector, Dave....

[@dhpbear2]

Any one else notice the mix of English and Metric (printed!) units on those jars of tactile domes ('.22", 4mm', .15", 5mm)? All from the same manufacturer (?) (6:35, 6:48))

[@magnusbrzenk447]

Did you ever do a video on what you described ~19:15 (how to control multiple pad I/Os with a single microcontroller pin)?

[@Petertronic]

The Atari 2600 joysticks used tactile domes stuck over a PCB with clear film. A common fault was for the domes to migrate sideways under the film.

[@exapod23]

Real info begins at @16:00

[@excavatoree]

Is it possible to buy just the cover/decal material? From where would I buy it? I have a dishwasher control panel that has a decal made from poor quality material, and the part around the "dome" cracked all the way around and fell off. I think if I had some good material, I could cut a replacement that would look better than it does now, with exposed domes.

[@EEVblog]

Yes, look at the video, the website I showed just does custom decals.

[@excavatoree]

thanks. Sorry I didn't catch that.

[@LeePin.]

Not long ago I had a custom membrane keyboard from WeGlow Industrial and it was great

[@nicholaschavez5120]

"it's upside down, all the electrons are going to fall out" lmao

[@demoncloud6147]

I was waiting for seeing this product, at last !

[@tactix8139]

Are these available with contrast knobs ?

[@jonny_blaze]

What about soldering only one leg of the pcb?

[@startobytes]

Hi, is there a way to get a custom oled for cheep

[@andrewbarney5503]

How did you get those dimensions on Inkscape? Can you provide that file?

[@onlyrgu]

Back in 90 my dads (rich) friend lend his Sinclair ZX Spectrum for repair. Issue: some keys was not registering. It had rubber keys over 2 flat flex PCBs. It ended up in my dad's parts drawer. On summer vacation i took it apart and i figured i can register key presses by shorting some connectors on the keyboard connector. I brought lots of tactic switches and made a keyboard by painstakingly decoding the layout and soldering the switches. It was lot of fun for 10/12 year old me. IMHO those 2 flat flex PCB are not reliable!

[@Justsquareenough]

Thanks Dave, learned a lot in this one.

[@simontay4851]

When ive cleaned/repaired old things that use those steel dome buttons, the domes have always been held down with tape. Ive tried soldering them before, but solder just refuses to stick. Why don't they plate them with copper, nickel or even gold (or maybe you can buy more expensive copper/gold plated ones?).

[@ERVE74]

Thank you! That was I needed!

[@sumdude4]

What about custom flatflex? I know some car dashes that need some but hard to find, and want to make some more durable versions.

[@EEVblog]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXfVhnyErr6We6M

[@sumdude4]

@@EEVblog Oh wow! Thanks! Don't know why I didn't see that before.

[@SeanBZA]

At that price probably also possible to do single units to replace old worn out keyboards as well, especially for things that are no longer supported by the manufacturer, but you want to keep it running with a new keypad. Order 10 for yourself, and use the single one, keep a spare and then sell the other 8 online ( probably via the EEVBlog website) and recoup a good part of the cost back, because there are likely at least 8 other people with the same issue as well.

[@electronic7979]

Very good 👍

[@drathir55]

Do you know any method or vid showing how to DIY membrane circuit (i saw something with standard board and laser printing with toner)?

[@veontube]

Wonder if we see similar prototype service for custom ICs some day. Sounds completely crazy, but who knows how far this technologies would go. Custom pcbs for $5 sounded completely crazy some time ago too.

[@hpeter1994]

I mean, one way for that would be an FPGA :)

[@veontube]

@@hpeter1994 Someone might argue, that FPGAs is not "a real deal" or that they don't cover every possible field of use for ICs. But yeah, that probably would not have much purpose, but who knows.

[@EEVblog]

Nope. This is a running bet and joke on The Amp Hour. 10 years ago Chris Gammell said we'd see one within a decade and I called absolute bullshit for even 20 years. I'm going to win the bet.

[@PU-xm2gs]

How thin are those? What’s the thinnest size that one can get? Is there an option of requesting RGB lighting on the board for backlit keys? Thanks for the great video.

[@jlucasound]

I agree with you Dave. Matte Finish Only. Oh, My. I see a new T-Shirt! "Matte is Where It's @!".

[@FurEngel]

I use the tactile buttons that have plungers with variable heights. That goes into the middle of the molded button. Good solution, but far more expensive then going the membrane route.

[@EEVblog]

Yes, big price premium for individual tactile switches

[@FurEngel]

@@EEVblog Also, I was thinking of using a keypad membrane like this for a product I am working on: a joke gift calculator, internally has a switch that allows for 99% accurate or religious mode. In religious mode, certain sequence of numbers are not allowed (such as 666, or 4311 ("hell") or 80085 ("boobs"), etc. Perfect gift for that favorite teacher of yours :)

[@rrr00bb1]

I am trying to build a 4x4 chorded kb into the back of an iPhone case. can you chord these?

[@monikah12345]

Can't wait to make one of these will. Will be very slick to bring to an interview. :D

[@EEVblog]

Absolutely! Stand out from the crowd.

[@PostalPete]

Can you show us how to design this in a napkin and the resulting pcb?

[@TheGreatElectron]

I actually used JRpanel a while back for a graphic overlay and they came out great. But geeze are you right, I wish I hadn't gotten the glossy finish. I appreciate the PC vs Poly trade-offs mentioned - at our volumes increased UV and chemical performance is well worth it.

[@GRBtutorials]

Is this a dream? First the custom LCD, then membrane keypads (for the exact same product). IDK why, but I like these custom things. Next up, I want a custom ASIC! Prices are going down... that would cost maybe a few thousands?

[@stevenandros4586]

Do you have a link to your manufacturer?

[@RoterFruchtZwerg]

I'm surprised that they don't offer just color printing on one plastic sheet. Fusing different color plastics together seems way to complicated for me for prototyping...

[@ashrafkamel1287]

can you make a video about the plastic cover of the Usupply?

[@TandaMadison]

Spent many a late night smashing away on my Timex Sinclair kit computer. Ah the memories.

[@Nightowl_IT]

It's 3 sheets the one in the middle has the holes and the ones on the top and bottom have the contacts.

[@victorcosme1971]

i Have a pad membrane from a Screen printing press can you clone it?

[@PANZER7910]

1:38 Never try to fool him, Dave can sniff out your good/bad stuff.

[@ChipGuy]

Light Color Background: I assume that's the same color as you choose but so thinned out area where you can hide LEDs behind. Nothing would be visible until the LED lights up. This is like an extra color, but just thinned out.

[@sergeyivanov3453]

What is the minimum trip force you can get on these keyboards?

[@Brandon-vo1bw]

It depends on the size of the buttons you want to use but I've used 7mm metal snap domes with only a 40g trip force.

[@deathcow]

How much would backlighting affect these prototype prices?

[@Morbuto]

In SZ the tactile domes don't cost cents each... you pay by the kilo ;)

[@nyinkercom]

Great tutorial Dave, as usual. I need a plastic case for my device too. Can you recommend your provider? :)

[@MatthewSuffidy]

We had a timer like the sinclair buttons on it at work. I kept gluing little pieces of tin foil to the back of the membrane to make it work, but then they dropped it and broke some things so I called it quits. Actually the one I saw was like 2 interchanging traces that bridged when like a piece of carbon was pressed into it.

[@ANISHMATHEW]

Can i get circuit for this 5 X 4 Keypad

[@pahom2]

Key press limit is not a bug it is a feature called planned obsolescence. This is how you should think to become a CEO.

[@airgliderz]

Planned obsolescence bullcrap. Everything made including you fails at some point. Typically after it is surpassed by better tech. Old being better is a i hate change based on no facts facts other then hating new things or change.

[@pixiepaws99]

I highly prefer silicone rubber buttons (like the ones on every piece of benchtop lab equipment) over these membrane ones. The membrane ones always feel cheap and have low travel.

[@colormaker5070]

Great info, looking for a SPST push button with a built in WS2812 RGB LED. I have looked at the Adafruit rubber leypad setup but not meant for commercial use. I will take a look at JRPanel we are always looking for low quantity prototypes.

[@hellfire-gs8ni]

Hi Dave! Love your channel. Could you please make a video aboud Inksape and how to use it for engineering applications?

[@Rangvishwa_Enterprises]

very nice technology

[@mr_gerber]

Oh the registration on pins 8 and 3!

[@randomelectronicsanddispla1765]

It's only personal opinion but I would use all "upper case" for the "hello" on the 7 segment display. I reckon it looks better

[@adamcarson1516]

Really dont like these keypads, Ive used allot of machine shop equipment over the years and the keypad is always the first thing to wear out!

[@carneeki]

Heh... same initials as me, and the similar concerns :D I dislike membranes around oil and coolant because fingers get too slippery on them, and that's before we see wear. I'm building my own DRO to use cherry key switches and key caps in a similar style to the really old Mitutoyo and Sony DROs.

[@adamcarson1516]

@@carneeki My name is actually Adam Too haha... That would defintelly be the best way, those old DROs are a dream to use and keep going forever! Just make sure its somehow sealed from the rest of the electronics for dust and grime etc

[@scose]

@@carneeki cherry switch DRO sounds like a cool project!

[@muctop17]

And don´t forget my fingers ! They wear out on membrane keypads also. I had to do my programming on membrane keypad and 4x40 LCD the late 80´s My fingers were like flat after 8 hours of programming. My boss coudn´t afford a real PC that time. www.picclickimg.com/d/w1600/pict/330633266006_/Festo-electronic-Programmer-Typ-EPRG-32-8201-FPC404.jpg

[@karma247ajm]

Dont worry, Dave will be supplying two spare keypads with each uSupply 😉

[@yash1152]

6:00 ahhhh, tectile domes are the thing i am looking for to revive the power button of my smartphone rightt!!???

[@borstenpinsel]

"Non-metricated yankee rubbish" lol :D

[@0dium.]

any problem visualizing 11/32 of an inch ? :D

[@hanelyp1]

Bur still measuring force in "grams", which are properly a unit of mass, rather than the SI proper Newtons.

[@leocurious9919]

@@hanelyp1 Since we are usually all on earth... pretty much doesnt matter. For more demanding application obviously anyone using mass as a unit of force can fuck right off. But for this? No, they will differ more from one to the other than any inaccuracy regarging the spec force ever could.

[@JerryBiehler]

Better than French surrender units!

[@Firelife3]

@@JerryBiehler AvE said that? 🙈

[@Anticitizen666]

It's tough to know when this is a better option than using a touch overlay over a OLED/TFT or custom LCD display. I guess it's possible to get IP rated touch panels for devices that are mounted or used outside. Interesting video though - nice to see the process, and I'll probably get some made, even if just for a personal project!

[@informediatech-bruno5766]

THANKS GOD WHE HAVE TOUCH SCREENS WERE YOU CAN PROGRAM THE KEY LAYOUT.

[@iglooom]

For non english speaking people can anybody explain what the "Polly Put the Kettle On" Dave often use? I google this kids song, but how it linked with polymeric material? :)

[@EEVblog]

It's generic for anything "Poly" material, polyester, polystyrene, polycarb caps etc. So may bloody polly's

[@ashleyli7084]

I am also non englight speaker, I guess what you want to know, for membrane switch, the panel usually use Polyester (usually we use the brand from Autotex and Dupont), and Polycarbonate (Usually we use the brand GE)

[@rocifier]

Does anyone know if manufacturers are open at the moment or does the corona virus have them stuck at home?

[@EndOfLineTech]

You’re talking about China, even if it was a massive epidemic killing 100s of thousands, they would still have to go to work to make their 25 cents for the day

[@airgliderz]

....yet the flue last year killed over 30,000 in the US last year....36,000 died in the US in auto "accidents".... 257 people died in commercial airline accidents in 2019...30 homicides in Chicago to date 2020, more then all of 2029....to keep things in perspective.

[@spehropefhany]

Maybe another week for some

[@Flying0Dismount]

Gloss solder masks are significantly more moisture and corrosion resistant. Go matte everywhere else, but solder mask MUST be gloss.

[@HPD1171]

9:40 grams is not a unit of force. what is the point of using metric if they are not even going to use the correct units. why do they not use newtons.

[@oakiemouse]

No wonder it's becoming a common thing to see credit/debit card skimmers on everything from atm's to dollar store pay points.

[@kissingfrogs]

somewhat related I wonder if the close ups of Dave's finger prints are good enough for nefarious types to make a fake Dave finger for phone access etc

[@mnoxman]

THE NIGHTMARES!!! My year of using a ZX81....

[@jovabre]

Do you know if anyone making touch sensor panels?

[@ashleyli7084]

Hello Mr Jovan Svorcan, we manufacturing capacitive touch sensor panels, if you have demand, can send your specific requests to [e-mail]

[@shakaibsafvi97]

Again.. Altium should have a plugin for the custom keypad design !

[@pmgodfrey]

Cheers from the US, Dave. Enjoy your weekend. :)

[@EEVblog]

I spent half my weekend doing this video :->

[@pmgodfrey]

@@EEVblog -- Well...enjoy the rest of it? Lots of love to you guys from far away! It's always a pleasure to see new content.

[@OmarMekkawy]

@10:02 , Never seen this product in your mailbag Dave :D

[@Juliuswwss]

Hey Dave, Ever thought to design a credit card style calculator? Like the Casio film one.

[@udhayakumara4033]

How to get rubber keypads like instruments front panel and remote control keypad.

[@dhpbear2]

"Fruity Apple gadget" ;)

[@mecarloschavez6281]

would like your help to design an inline remote, for custom headphones, interested?

[@ralfbaechle]

Spooky, just a day ago I was thinking about how one could make such a keypad and already you're delivering the solution! Now, I'm wondering how about slightly better keypads with those rubbery keys and decent tactile feedback.

[@luppa79]

Hey Dave! Would you consider putting your desktop audio rants through a high pass filter? Every time you hit the table I'm thinking somebody's banging the side of our house.

[@douggale5962]

It must be impossible to type on that Sinclair without staring at the keyboard. Does this mean that there are a bunch of 40 year old developers in Europe that still stare at their keyboard when they type?

[@simontay4851]

I look at the keyboard when typing. I can't touch type. I don't have the coordination/flexibility in my fingers. I can use both hands though.

[@kevincozens6837]

At 24:19 "Light Coloar Background". :)

[@aliesmaili1723]

Hi you explain so a lot

[@AG-ze8sj]

Depending on quantity and overall cost, LCD touch screen may be better solution.

[@WacKEDmaN]

interesting vid..thanks Dave

[@bertblankenstein3738]

Just before 9:00, close one eye and hold your tongue at the right angle.

[@Rangvishwa_Enterprises]

good knowledge