Pangea Full Size

Pangea full-size

Pangea Full Size is my take on a full size keyboard design, with some extra features. The name comes from the supercontinent Pangea. Like the supercontinent, this keyboard can morph and change shape to better suit your needs. Pangea Fullsize features a unique construction allowing the user to change from “normal” numpad location to southpaw without the need for any additional parts. This is achieved through a 9 piece case construction with a specially designed PCB by Gondolindrim.

Sales

• • format: unlimited gb
• • min MOQ: 100
• • period: Sept 16th-Oct 18th, 2024
• • ETA: 4-6 months after GB Sep 27, 2025

Pricing

based on bowl's pricing

Vendors

• US: Bowl Keyboards
• EU: Delta Key Co
• UK: Prototypist
• KR: Swagkeys
• TH: Aiglatson
• CA: Minokeys
• AUS: KeebznCables
• CN: NEXT
• SG: Ilumkb

colorways

Bedrock

• Top Case: Dark Gray Anodized Aluminum
• Bottom Case: Black Anodized Aluminum
• Top Frame: Patina'd Brass
• TKL Frame: Dark Gray Anodized Aluminum
• Numpad Frame: Dark Gray Anodized Aluminum
• Inner Weight: Brass
• Outerweight: Patina'd Brass

Glacier

• Top Case: Frosted Polycarbonate
• Bottom Case: Silver Anodized Aluminum
• Top Frame: Polished Stainless Steel
• TKL Frame: Silver Anodized Aluminum
• Numpad Frame: Silver Anodized Aluminum
• Inner Weight: Brass
• Outerweight: Machine Path Stainless Steel

Earth

• Top Case: Brown Anodized Aluminum
• Bottom Case: Dark Brown Anodized Aluminum
• Top Frame: Dark Brown Anodized Aluminum
• TKL Frame: Brown Anodized Aluminum
• Numpad Frame: Brown Anodized Aluminum
• Inner Weight: Brass
• Outerweight: Machine Path Copper

Sediment

• Top Case: Gray Anodized Aluminum
• Bottom Case: Silver Anodized Aluminum
• Top Frame: Silver Anodized Aluminum
• TKL Frame: Gray Anodized Aluminum
• Numpad Frame: Gray Anodized Aluminum
• Inner Weight: Brass
• Outerweight: Machine Path Stainless Steel

Sea

• Top Case: Light Blue Coating
• Bottom Case: Light Blue Coating
• Top Frame: Patina'd Brass
• TKL Frame: Light Blue Coating
• Numpad Frame: Light Blue Coating
• Inner Weight: Brass
• Outerweight: Patina'd Brass

Kit contents

• 1x Top case
• 1x Bottom case
• 1x Top Frame
• 1x TKL Frame
• 1x Numpad Frame
• 1x Internal Weight
• 1x External Weight
• 1x Aluminum TKL Plate
• 1x Aluminum Numpad Plate
• 1x Solderable or Hotswap PCB
• 1x C5 Unified Daughterboard + JST to JST cable
• 1x Carrying case
• 15x 30a/60a/90a Gaskets
• 4x Custom molded feet
• All Screws/parts/etc for assembly

Specifications

Case

• Materials: 6063 Aluminum/Polycarbonate, Brass, Stainless Steel/Copper
• Layout: WK/WKL/HHKB TKL Frames
• Typing Angle: 8.5 Degrees
• Front Height: 17.15mm - 22.2mm EKH
• Weight: 2.7Kg unbuilt

Mounting

• Custom Silicone Gasket Molds
• Designed to be similar to top mount, but more. customizable
• 30A/60A/90A will be included in the kit

PCB

• Split PCB Designed by Gondolindrim
• Black FR4
• 1.6mm thick
• Red Solder Mask
• Gold pads
• No meme-cuts
• FPC connector to connect the two segments
• JST connector to Unified C5 Daughterboard
• VIA Compatible

Inspiration

Case:

The main goal of the project was to design a keyboard that could offer southpaw and normal numpad without any extra components. This became challenging because a fullsize keyboard can’t be split into sections that can be mirrored (namely because of the nav cluster). To get around this it was necessary to chop up the top case of the keyboard until the pieces could be rotated and shifted around to accommodate both numpad locations. At the same time, I wanted to keep an optional minimalist aesthetic from the top of the keyboard for those who want a fullsize to use in the office while also allowing a lot of customizability for those who want something a bit more loud. To accompany the name, the exterior weight is engraved with lines meant to replicate the mapped out outline of modern day continents on the supercontinent Pangea.

Mounting:

When designing the case one of the trickiest parts was making it so the numpad cluster and the TKL cluster could be swapped without conflict. I also wanted to replicate a classic top mount sound and feel, however top mount screws would interfere with the TKL/Numpad and top frame pieces. To avoid this, I used gaskets which are short enough to not interfere with the swappable construction while still using a typical top mount plate design. The result is a sound and feel that is similar to top mount while also being customizable with different durometer gaskets.

PCB:

When I originally came up with the idea to make a swappable full size I brought the idea to Gondo to see what could be done. After many ideas from Gondo we settled on splitting the TKL and numpad pcbs and using an FPC connector to connect the two parts. This allows the user to quickly and easily switch locations of the numpad by utilizing the ports on the opposite ends of the PCB even after a build is soldered/assembled. FPC is also a good solution as it is cheap, readily available and very easy to use. We are using a clamshell lock FPC so the connection is very sturdy and secure. It also is a flexible connection so the TKL and numpad clusters are essentially free to move separately from one another.