First Mostly Complete Unit

Not to let too much time go by since the last post, here are the very first images of Stenosaurus that has all its main components:

• assembled PCB
• key caps
• top and bottom enclosure panels
• bent side rail
• port farm back plate

Right away, you'll notice that the key caps and side rail have changed color from clear anodized aluminum to black anodized aluminum. The back plate, which is still clear anodized aluminum, shows the contrast. In the final units, the back plate will be the same color as the key caps and side rail. Most likely, there will be several color options available, including both clear and black.

There are still some features missing, such as rubber feet and tripod mount, but this is as close as we've yet come to a complete Stenosaurus. I'll be running some tests this weekend and will report back results soon.

The Enclosure Takes Shape

The enclosure Kurt designed is composed of four main pieces: a top panel of milled bamboo, a bottom panel of milled bamboo, and bent piece of aluminum that serves as most of the siding, and a straight piece of aluminum siding in the back that accommodates the micro USB connector and the microSD card slot. Below are shots Kurt took of an assembly of those first three components.

The wood has been stained and the aluminum has been bead blasted and clear anodized. The inner face of the bottom panel has recesses at the location of each key switch so that the switch pins that protrude slightly through the PCB won't interfere with the PCB sitting flush with the bottom of the enclosure. The circular hole in the center of the bottom panel will house a threaded insert for mounting to standard tripods.