On Wed, 16 Oct 2002 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > I hope that we can resolve this fairly quickly - of course, before making a > decision to order some new membranes, we need an idea of cost per unit and > also the anticipated cost and sale price of Dave's new QeyBoard, so that the > various QL traders who would be willing to contribute to the costs and sell > these membranes, can weigh up whether users will stick with the original > membrane or should be steered towards the Qeyboard. > > At the moment, there are only 14 membranes requested on my guestbook, so > maybe the interest in a new batch of membranes isn't there after all (hint > hint to those who have not left any messages). This is my problem. The smallest number of Qeyboards I could make to keep costs low would be over 50, and to make the qeyboard remotely competitive in price would require I make 100. I have already bought all the parts required, except the PCB. The drill and assembly jigs are built. The cost to reach that stage was realistically about $900 out of my own pocket, and the PCB would be about another $1500+ to have made, because it's so wide and needs to be rigid. I found it interesting that all membranes fail where the ribbon meets the main body of the membrane, and I have never seen a membrane fail in it's main part, except due to lemon juice exposure. These membranes are retrievable. A small PCB with pins soldered onto it, slid sideways into the gap, makes a very sound electrical connection. Fixing the piece in place with clear silicon sealant works a treat. Now THOSE can be made for under $10 a go. Just a suggestion for the desperate. Dave
