Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects
Grin layout
On policium's Grin Type-R and Grin RC designs – featuring the unique Grin layout.
Published April 4, 2022
To be honest, I was quite confused about the Grin layout spotting it for the first time when policium ran a small group buy of the Grin Type-R last November. I have to confess I wasn't sure if this curvy Alice-like layout is serious or a meme board so I deferred featuring it until I completely forget about it.
Now that new tweets started to emerge with regards of the Grin RC, a low profile iteration with a similar layout, I reached out to policium for some info and he was kind enough to summarize not just the characteristics of the layout itself but also the whole story behind it.
In the following, let's hear how he came up with the Grin in his own words:
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I work as a system engineer in Japan and started mechanical keyboards as a hobby in the winter of 2019.
I am a perfectionist, so I designed a keyboard with a unique layout from the beginning. I named it "Melty".
This is my first keyboard but I did not use a microcontroller board, I reflow soldered a QFN ATmega32u4. In hindsight, I want to convince my past self to stop because the project was extremely difficult. It took me a year to make it but it is beautiful, isn't it? ;)
Melty is an unsplit column staggered keyboard. Although split keyboards were more common in Japan, I thought an integrated keyboard would be ergonomic enough if the arms were angled. I also felt that splitting the keyboard would interfere with concentration.
I think this keyboard is a success. The key pitch seems a little wide, but it was usable enough.
Next, I designed a 60% wireless keyboard for the nRF52, but let's leave that aside for now.
I designed the following keyboard with Kailh Choc V1 switches to deal with the wider pitch of the Melty.
This is the original GRIN, although it has a different layout compared to what is known as Grin layout these days. I had the Alice layout in mind from that time, and it is GRIN because I associated Alice with the Cheshire Cat.
I am a poor typist, so I type with various fingers without a fixed position. So it was important that the G and H keys were not too far apart.
The keyboard was beautiful and sounded great for its low profile, but it was a failure. The narrow pitch did not suit me. The idea of attaching a 3D printed bumper case came to me at this time.
I felt the need to make my layout resemble a regular row staggered rather than column staggered. It was last summer that I got that breakthrough.
From there, it was quick. Two months later, the keyboard was ready.
This is the GRIN Type-R. Type-R means row staggered. People call this the GRIN layout. I am particular about no sharp curves and maintaining a 0.75in pitch even when curving. GRIN Type-R is curved, but its width is exactly the same as a regular keyboard.
I know there have been curvy layouts in the past, but I think this is truly unique.
I tested the keycap clearance with a friend who has a lot of keycaps. As a result, I was able to tilt it a maximum of 12.5 degrees while maintaining pitch. The left and right sides are not tilted so that typing with the pinky or ring finger is not uncomfortable. This is something I have valued since the Melty.
I think this layout is a great success. From the moment I started using it, I was able to type faster than with any other keyboard.
I wanted to sell a few to share this typing experience (booth.pm).
I started offering GBs in November and was able to ship in December. 60 sets have been sold. I think the use of Raspberry PI Pico was the reason for the success. GRIN Type-R uses PRK Firmware as standard. Being able to rewrite the firmware of the keyboard using only a notepad is an irreplaceable experience.
GB was for Japan but some North American and European geeks joined in. The procedures are complicated and I am preparing a site for global purchases (grin-keebs-intl.stores.jp).
I am preparing to sell GRIN Type-R.
Now I am developing GRIN RC with Kailh Choc V1 switches as the next challenge.
It has a wider pitch than the original and a steeper curve than the Type-R. The keyboard is easy to use for its low profile.
タッチスライドはこんな感じで使えます。IC中なのでご意見よろしくお願いします。#GRIN_RC https://t.co/nJZFx8Z6xG pic.twitter.com/UldCZgGM2c
— policium (@policium) March 29, 2022
A friend of mine is developing and selling a GRIN clone keyboard, a keyboard that can be used in 60% universal cases.
I welcome this, I think the GRIN layout is beautiful and easy to use and I hope it will be the next Alice layout. Because I always want to see something exciting!
-policium
Published on Mon 4th Apr 2022. Featured in KBD #72.
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