Embrace is currently in production. Check the Trello card for updates.
Embrace is a premium 45% keyboard with a half-numrow (1-6 keys) designed by Trash Man.
A group buy for Embrace kits ran from August 25 to September 9, 2022 for $495. Kits included CNC-milled acrylic top and bottom pieces, a milled stainless steel mid piece, a large 25mm stainless steel knob, an encoder, three PCBs (main PCB and two daughterboards), two FR4 plates supporting split spacebar and 6.25u spacebar layouts, and the JST cables to connect the daughterboards.
Information about the board can be found in the #a-trashmans-landfill channel in the 40% Keyboards Discord server.
¶ Design
Embrace is based on the V4N4G0N and adds several new features never seen on a Trash Man or TVK keyboard. Like V4N4G0N, the board is based on the JetVan layout with a half-numrow (1-6) keys for gaming. An all-new three-piece case with a flexible leafspring-style plate and a large, screwless knob was designed alongside a PCB featuring per-key RGB-backlighting and hotswap sockets. Both the USB-C connector and rotary encoder are located on daughterboards to ensure they do not impact the flex afforded by the leafspring plate.
¶ Layout
KLE available here: http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/361e0d3ce5bf994e1fc53dcce77b9dc9
Embrace supports two layouts based on the V4N4G0N and Minisub. The only layout choice is a full-size (6.25u) or a split (2.75u/2.25u/1.25u) spacebar arrangement. This split space arrangement was chosen as it allows all spacebar options to have hotswap sockets without requiring rotation of any switches.
¶ PCB
¶ Prototype
Embrace is the first Trash Man-designed PCB to include per-key RGB backlighting and daughterboards. The board supports hotswap sockets in the south-facing orientation for all switch positions. PCB-mount stabilizer holes are included for the three spacebars. The internal JST connectors for the two daughterboards are located next to the half-numrow on the underside of the PCB. A pair of RESET pads are located between the U and I keys directly below the JST connectors.
¶ Case
¶ Prototype
A handful of prototype cases were produced in June 2022. The top and bottom pieces are made from milled acrylic while the middle layer and knob are milled stainless steel. The large knob in the top-right corner is friction-fit onto the rotary encoder, providing a screwless and seamless look. The rotary encoder is attached to the acrylic case which raises the knob ~20mm above the top surface.
The included switch plates have a small cutout in the top-right corner to accommodate the daughterboard for the knob. The cutout on the prototype plates is not large enough to clear the JST cable used to connect the daughterboard, resulting in the palte hitting the cable under moderate flex. Prototype buyers needed to cut off a few mm of plate material to properly clear the connector and cable.
¶ Rev 1.1
The case was reworked for the group buy with several small but notable changes. The rotary encoder was moved down to attach to the stainless steel mid piece which results in a lower-profile look for the large knob. The FR4 plates were also modified with a larger cutout in the top-right corner to prevent interference with the daughterboard cable for the encoder.