The aluminum MiniVan case is a series of tray mount metal cases that were included with MiniVan group buy kits. Standalone cases were later manufactured and sold on TheVanKeyboards.com.
¶ Design
Technical measurements for MiniVan cases and DXF files for MiniVan plates can be found on the Files page
The aluminum MiniVan case is a tray mount design made of CNC-milled aluminum. Seven M2x4mm screws thread directly into integrated metal standoffs to hold the PCB, though not all versions use the same mounting hole pattern.
Early cases have large USB cutouts to support the larger Mini USB connector found on the first MiniVan PCBs. Later revisions have a smaller cutout designed for USB-C based boards. The USB-C cutout is not large enough to accommodate the Mini-B connector found on older PCBs.
Most revisions of the case include recessed areas on the bottom of the case for adhesive feet that were included with the case hardware. Later revisions also contain holes for screw-in feet on the underside of the case to elevate the typing angle of the board.
¶ Revisions
Check the MiniVan Compatibility Matrix for PCB compatibility with different revisions of this case
¶ Rev 1
The original aluminum case was included with round 1 MiniVan kits (the board was originally known as TheVan44). It was offered in six anodized colors with matching anodized aluminum switch plates that support the standard MiniVan layout. The case was designed for the rev 1.0 TheVan44 PCBs and has several quirks when compared to later revisions. The R1 case and PCB use a different mounting hole placement than all subsequent Minivan tray mount cases. Specifically, only these three screws are compatible:
- top-right near the USB cutout
- bottom-left near the left Shift
- bottom row to the left of Spacebar
Newer PCBs can still be installed in R1 cases but only the three screw locations listed above can be used.
Rev 1 cases do not have the PCB support ridges found on later cases (as well as the plastic cases). Original plates for Rev 1 cases only support Costar-style plate-mount stabilizers (the rev 1 PCB did not support PCB-mount stabs). Rev 1 cases also do not include recessed areas for silicone or cork pads, nor do they have holes for screw-in rear feet. Each case came with a sticker on the bottom that includes the model number of the board (TV44-01), the date of manufacture (May 30, 2016) and the serial number. A total of 50 individually serialized metal cases were produced for the original group buy.
¶ Rev 2
An updated case was created for the round 2 group buy hosted on MassDrop.com. Three colors were available - black, gray, teal. The sticker on the bottom of the board was replaced by a milled-out rectangle with the name of the board, model number, and individual serial number laser etched into the anodized aluminum. Four recessed areas were added to the bottom of the board - two small ones at the front for 6mm rubber bumpons and two 3/4 inch ones at the rear for larger adhesive silicone feet. Two holes were drilled through the case bottom to support screw-in cone feet that elevate the typing angle of the board. Rev 2 cases do not have the PCB support ridges found on later cases.
The rev 2 case was the first to introduce the new (and final) tray-mount hole placement that can be found on all subsequent MiniVan PCBs and tray-mount cases.
¶ Rev 3
For the round 3 MiniVan group buy, all rev 3 cases were polished and nickel plated. The sale started Black Friday 2016. A matching nickel Roadkit case was produced for the round 1 Roadkit group buy. Rev 3 cases do not have the PCB support ridges found on later cases.
¶ Rev 4
Polished and then anodized for extra shine. Piano black and purple with matching plates. Not sure if there were other colors. Minivan outline logo was added
¶ Rev 5
Gray and black anodized. Minivan outline logo.
¶ Rev 6
Fully milled MiniVan logo. Not sure about colors. Front and rear cork pads.
¶ Rev 7?
TVK cube logo
¶ Artizen
A series of extremely limited edition painted cases were produced to match several TheVanKeyboards keycap sets. Some of the more complex designs were painted by the De Alba family, best known for their award-winning custom lowriders.
¶ 80s Kid
Several sets of MiniVan and Roadkit cases were painted to pair with GMK 80s Kid. The paint design on the bottom spans both cases.
¶ 8-Bit
A limited edition painted case was released to match XDA 8-Bit.
¶ LightCycle
If someone ever comes across this please message me I would be interested in buying it
A one-off black and teal prototype case was produced (along with a paried Roadkit case) to match DSA LightCycle. Allegedly the eventual owner tracked down Trash Man and had him sign the cases at a meetup. The images below were taken from TheVanKayboards Instagram page.
¶ Purple Rain
A one-off purple prototype case was produced that looks like it would match DCS Purple Rain pretty well.
¶ Others
There were several other ARTIZEN MiniVan cases that were produced as one-offs and did not receive full releases. I have not been able to track down any pictures of these and have no idea what they look like. According to Trash Man, the list includes:
- orange MiniVan case
- pink MiniVan case
- green MiniVan + Roadkit set
- white MiniVan + Roadkit set
- SA Troubled Minds inspired MinVan + Roadkit set