There’s a subgroup for almost any interest: electronics, high-end audio equipment, hummels, and even keyboards; folks apt to spend over 100 bucks on fanciful keyboards complete with elegant LCD displays and elaborate programmable keys. But these groups pale in comparison to the awesomeness of the AFOL, short for Adult Fans of LEGOS; these folks combine the artistic prowess of sculptors with the mechanical know-how of engineers. Jason Allemann is one such AFOL, a self-described LEGO artist who built one of the coolest keyboards I’ve ever seen in my life ― out of LEGO blocks.
The project originally began in 2005 with a Microsoft Natural Keyboard, but after finding it too difficult to build the keyboard directly into the membrane, Jason was forced to shelf it. Years later, a change in paradigm resulted in an entirely different design in which the keys are interlaced into one weave that locks into a LEGO frame.
In fact, the entire frame of the keyboard, as well as each key, was constructed from LEGO pieces; no stickers of any kind were used for the characters. The only none LEGO component in project is the circuit board, sensor membrane, and electronics ― all harnessed from a generic keyboard Jason found roadside.
Building the frame was the biggest challenge of project, requiring all keys to be precisely spaced above the membrane. Jason accomplished this by linking together LEGO technic axels and joining them with connectors to precisely align each key in its place. This axle and connector combo makes up the underside of the keyboard, with the key plates sitting atop.
Jason’s second biggest challenge was finding a printed tile for every keyboard symbol; LEGO group only produced tiles for the main characters, numbers, and a just few symbols. A bit of improvising was needed for specific keys such as control and scroll lock. A LEGO piece with an image of a control panel was used for the control key, a roof slope tile is the home key, scroll lock is a picture of a scroll, a finger print tile functions as the print screen key, and a picture of windows for the Windows key.
The finished product is as functional as any other keyboard, but with the aweing factor of being made from LEGOS. Jason points out that there’s a bit of flex from the technic frame as he’s using it, but it doesn’t affect performance at all.
via Mashable
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