Softpot Ribbon Controller

Randaleem · Joined: May 17, 2007 Posts: 456 Location: Northern CA, USA

[quote="Scott Stites"][quote]As far as the Hotpot ribbon controllers - I don't know of anybody who's tried those out.
I bet they wouldn't have any less resolution than the softpots. I'm not sure what resistance range they're in./quote]
Hi Scott,

The Hotpot surface is slippery-er. They're easier to play for that reason. The resolution, resistance and pressure is the same as a softpot.

They (Spectra) recommend the Hotpot on their website for human finger applications, where the softpot is designed primarily for use with an actuator.

Kind regards, Randal

Scott Stites · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:23 am Post subject:

Slippier? That can only be good. Very Happy

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:27 am Post subject:

You mean it embraces a more emphatic slipperiness? Shocked

Scott Stites · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:19 am Post subject:

I could do with a more slippery Appendage. Twisted Evil

The Walking Stick, as I understand it, has a layer on top to make the feel better. I'll have to try out a hot pot, too.

frijitz · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:38 am Post subject:

Scott Stites · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:54 am Post subject:

Same here, Ian, I don't like the friction. Very Happy

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject:

I use strawberry flavoured lubricant on mine.

Oh, ummmm, sorry,.... wrong thread. Embarassed

adambee7 · Joined: Apr 04, 2009 Posts: 420 Location: united kingdom

what about neoprene. It gets used as a top layer on some very expensive touch keyboard i cannot afford. Smile

Scott Stites · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:49 am Post subject:

For Andy's application, that may be dangerous. Laughing

I'll have to google-finger neoprene to know anything more than zero about it. Very Happy

Wilba · Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:36 pm Post subject:

adambee7 · Joined: Apr 04, 2009 Posts: 420 Location: united kingdom

Neoprene is wet suit material. Very durable and wipable. Don't know about thicknesses though.

adambee7 · Joined: Apr 04, 2009 Posts: 420 Location: united kingdom

I know you guys were thinking slippery but i was more concerned of dirt and sweat. I sweat bad live so some sort of protection is needed. The Haken Continuum has got a nice robust keyboard. Very Happy

TheAncientOne · Joined: Dec 26, 2006 Posts: 144 Location: United Kingdom

I'd like a board too.

The Handling charge and customs duty/VAT usually does in any advantage to be gained from sourcing the parts in the US, otherwise I'd prefer a kit.

Perhaps I could do a small run of kits for UK/Europe, as i did on the MIDIbox group for x0xb0x parts. Wilba is the king of MIDIbox bulk orders though.

adambee7 · Joined: Apr 04, 2009 Posts: 420 Location: united kingdom

i'll be interested in a couple Prof. Very Happy

diablojoy · Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 12:39 am Post subject:

scott wrote

boosimas johnson · Joined: Nov 15, 2008 Posts: 13 Location: arizona

I own one of Chromiums 20" ribbon controller, and with the added mesh fabric it is silky smooth (not sticky at all) and has a great look!

Scott Stites · Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:31 am Post subject:

Actually the 500mm Softpot is spec'ed at 20K, too. Less than that, the spec is 10K. Well, actually greater than 300mm is supposed to be 20K. There's a fairly wide tolerance from ribbon to ribbon, +/-20%, which led to some fairly extensive testing during proto phase.

Oh, looky - my SP datasheet does have all the hotpot stuff, too! I never paid much attention to it, because I didn't know where to get it. Hmmm...SP is rated at >1 million touches of the old appendage, HP is >10 million touches of ye olde body part. The softpot takes slightly less actuation force in livable temperatures than the hotpot. However, if you're playing in Antarctica, you've got a real advantage using the softpot (0.8 to 1.8 N compared to the hotpot 3.0 to 5.0 N @ -40 degrees C). Laughing

diablojoy · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 6:29 pm Post subject:

thanks for clearing that up scott
i figured the 20K value would probably be cool
gets a bit warmer here than antarctica too
so all's good Smile

Scott Stites · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 7:26 pm Post subject:

Well, thanks for bringing it up - you've piqued my interest in these ribbons.

Cheerios,
Scott

State Machine · Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 8:26 am Post subject:

Just to let folks know. Scott and I are doing one last FINAL PRODUCTION build using the PC board latest artwork. A board has been shipped to Scott. This will allow us to:

1) Verify the Build Documentation
2) Verify the Calibration Procedure
3) verify the production board will be absolutely perfect

The teams step by step approach has been successful on several projects such as the Klee Sequencer and the MPS designs.

When the Boards and kits are announced, they will be announced here and brought to another link within this forum for all sales.

Right now it looks like the pricing shall be:

Printed Circuit Boards (2 Layer, Silkscreened, green Soldermask) ---- $40.00
FULL Parts Kit with 500 mm Softpot & Insulated Jacks ---- $163.00
(There are MANY parts .... including 23 IC's)
Full Parts Kit minus the Softpot & Insulated jacks ---- $129.00

NOTE: These are ALL brand new parts, all packaged for easy identification.
Please don't order just yet until the announcement is made.

Thanks for everyones patience.

Bill

mark_olson · Joined: Oct 26, 2006 Posts: 177 Location: Lawrence, Kansas

Thanks, Bill.

Over the last few months there have been days when the only reason I sat down at my computer was to see if this message had been posted!

I am wondering, what with the recent introduction of the HotPot to the discussion, if you all intend to incorporate/investigate that in the proto process?

Thanks to everybody on the development team! And of course, especially to Scott for wrapping his mind around this awesome controller in the first place.

Mark

shawn · Joined: Dec 13, 2005 Posts: 209 Location: savannah

Great news, can't wait for it to be released!

State Machine · Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 7:04 pm Post subject:

aetherpulse · Joined: Jun 13, 2007 Posts: 29 Location: oregon

I've ben waiting SO long for this! This will be the push off the cliff I need to start my Klee.