PRODUCT DESIGN · DFM · GROUP BUY PERIPHERALS

Titan65 – Custom Mechanical Keyboard Group Buy

A premium 65% mechanical keyboard designed for enthusiasts, featuring a seamless CNC aluminum case, brass weight base, and gasket mounting system.

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PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS

Titan65 Meta

  • Role & Scope Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering & Sourcing
  • Timeline & Volume 6 Months · 450+ Production Units Shipped Worldwide
  • Tooling & Stack Fusion 360, KeyShot, KiCad, SolidWorks

01 // PROJECT OVERVIEW & TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

The Titan65 Group Buy Mechanical Keyboard represents a milestone in enthusiast peripheral design from Phase Studio. A highly anticipated 65% form factor custom keyboard, the Titan65 was born from a vision to create a premium typing experience with uncompromising acoustic and build quality.

This project demanded a rigorous journey from concept to reality, involving precision CNC engineering, iterative prototyping, and the coordination of a complex international supply chain. Over 450 units were manufactured to exact tolerances and delivered to enthusiasts worldwide.

// HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS

  • Form Factor: 65% Compact Layout
  • Materials: CNC Aluminum 6063, Brass (Weighted Base Option)
  • Finishes: Bead-blasted Anodized, E-coating, Passivation / UV Painting
  • Internal: Custom Molded Black Silicone Gaskets (40-50 Shore A)
Titan65 Front Hero Shot
The Titan65 in its final production form.

02 // CORE RESPONSIBILITIES & SUPPLY CHAIN

Operating as a two-person team meant wearing many hats. Beyond design, my primary focus was establishing the supply chain and ensuring execution.

Sourcing Lead

Identified and vetted specialized manufacturers for CNC aluminum, brass, custom silicone gaskets, and PCBA fabrication.

Manufacturing Logistics

Negotiated quotes, managed Purchase Orders, and oversaw strict production timelines across multiple international vendors.

Quality Control

Led defect resolution for anodization and surface finishes, implementing UV painting for brass oxidation protection.

Global Distribution

Coordinated international freight and custom barcode scanning systems for vendors like Kono Store, CandyKeys, and Deskhero.

03 // PHASE 1: DESIGN & RAPID PROTOTYPING

Engineering & Standards

I designed the plate and mounting system to provide a consistent typing feel and sound profile, a critical factor for enthusiasts. I also ensured all board dimensions met rigorous industry standards for switch and stabilizer compatibility.

Working with RapidDirect, we ordered multiple rounds of prototypes to perfect these geometries.

  • Aluminum Cases: Tested in White, Black, Blue, Purple, Yellow, and raw aluminum.
  • Brass Bases: A clear-coated brass weight was designed to add heft and acoustic dampening.
  • Finishes: Evaluated bead-blasted anodization, electrophoretic coating (e-coating), and passivation.
Plate Prototypes
Rapid prototyping of the mounting plate to test switch fitment.

Component Sourcing & QC

I personally specified and sourced critical components, including M3/M2 fasteners, Kailh hotswap sockets, and custom 40-50 Shore A silicone gaskets.

Quality Control Challenges: We faced incorrectly milled lettering, color matching issues (specifically with yellow Pantone shades), and dimensional offsets. Deep discussions were held regarding brass passivation, investigating UV painting as an alternative to ensure an oxidation-free finish.

Anodization Samples
Reviewing anodization samples for color matching and consistency.

04 // PHASE 2: MANUFACTURING & QUALITY CONTROL

This phase involved securing reliable partners to bring the Titan65 to mass production.

Case Machining

RapidDirect remained our primary partner for 5-axis CNC machining. I maintained daily communication with their engineering team to quote and fabricate complex enclosure geometries and custom plates.

Coloured Prototypes
Batch of coloured prototypes ready for QC inspection.

PCB Production & Diagnostics

Partnered with Dalian JY Electronics for PCB manufacturing. I worked on board layout verification, overseeing PCBA and firmware flashing.

Rapid Iteration: Initial sample tests revealed traces requiring rerouting. I led the diagnostic process to identify root cause layout errors, rapidly deploying fixed gerbers to avoid delivery delays.

PCB Production
PCB assembly and testing at the production facility.

05 // PHASE 3: GROUP BUY & DISTRIBUTION

The culmination of our work was the Group Buy launch. We coordinated logistics across four global proxy hubs.

Global Launch Metrics

We sold over 120 units in North America on Day 1. Approximately 50% of orders included the premium brass base upgrade, validating our material decisions.

Beyond logistics, I handled technical customer support for all direct buyers, addressing switch compatibility and firmware configuration.

Logistics Network

  • CandyKeys: EU Distribution
  • Deskhero: Canada Distribution
  • Kono Store: US Distribution
  • iLumkb: Asia-Pacific Distribution

Implemented custom barcode labeling systems for warehouse receiving and automated tracking.

06 // KEY ACHIEVEMENTS & CHALLENGES

Key Achievements

  • Market Validation 120+ units sold in North America on Day 1 ($225k+ single-month milestone).
  • Global Delivery Successfully manufactured and delivered 450+ custom keyboards across 4 continents.

Challenges Overcome

  • Prototyping QC Overcame color matching and brass oxidation defects by adopting UV painting.
  • PCB Trace Resolution Diagnosed and rectified critical board layout defects within a 48-hour turn window.

07 // COMMUNITY RECEPTION & REVIEWS

The project received positive reception across mechanical keyboard communities. Video build and acoustic review by Keeb Taro: