Velvet — Maker Keyboards
A Plateless Gasket and Leaf Spring TKL — Felix Jen
Released on January 13, 2022
Velvet — A Plateless Gasket and Leaf Spring TKL
Velvet pushes the limit on typing comfort with leaf-spring top mount and sandwich gasket mount, plateless support, and a beautiful, silver polished weight. And an all-new PCB features in-browser keymap customization with Remap, with 2nd generation Kailh hotswap sockets reinforced with epoxy for resistance against being sheared off the PCB and loose contact from repeated switch insertions. Available in-stock for $349 in mid 2022.
Velvet features a radically new exterior with an immense, mirror polished brass weight, custom silicone feet, and is available in a new anodized burgundy finish. The thin side bezels provide a slimmer appearance, and the side ledges allow you to easily pick up the keyboard, easing the brass weight below. A center-aligned USB-C port provides a neutral cable position with a larger port for greater cable compatibility, the daughterboard offers simple and inexpensive replacements, and the JST cable channel now comes covered for improved cable management and PCB clearance.
The new and improved Velvet hotswap PCB features 2nd generation Kailh hotswap sockets with stronger leaves that maintain switch pin contact after repeated switch insertions, and are adhered to the PCB with epoxy to resist being sheared off. With support for 6.25u and 7u spacebar, regular and stepped caps lock, split backspace, and split right shift, Velvet combines the convenience of hotswap with the layout compatibility of solder.
Images
Photos rendered by FJLaboratories on Keyshot:
Technical Details
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| PCB Thickness | 1.2mm |
| PCB Material | Tg 170-180 FR4 |
| Surface Finish | ENIG – 1U Thick |
| Copper Weight | 1oz/ft2 |
| Soldermask | Matte Black – Custom |
| Maximum Power Consumption | 60mA |
| Standby Power Consumption | 19mA |
| Overall Dimensions | 347mm x 118mm |
| Microprocessor | AT90USB646-MU |
| Firmware Download (VIA) | TBA |
| QMK Repository Firmware | TBA |
| VIA Repository | TBA |
Where to Buy
The Velvet keyboard kit will be found at Maker Keyboards for worldwide orders in Mid-2022. These keyboards kits will be sold in-stock upon release.