Saturn-60 Assembly Guide

Please note: the entire assembly process may require several hours. Be patient, take breaks, and try not to get too frustrated (ノಠ益ಠ)/

♠️ You can do this! \(°□°)/ ♠️

STEP 1: Verify all parts are included:

STEP 2: Test the PCB

This step is optional but recommended. It tests the Panel-Mount cable as well. Skip to Step 3

Attach the Panel Mount Type-C [Part No. 5] cable to the Connector on the PCB, then connect to the device to your computer.

Open a typing tester [QMK Key Tester] using your browser and use tweezers or a paperclip📎to short the pads on the pcb.

Click here to see the full default keymap (Step 12)

STEP 3: Install Stabilizers

First, assemble and install your Keycap Stabilizers (sold separately) on the PCB. The Titan60 requires screw-in stabilizers.

STEP 4: Side-Glow RGB Wires (Optional)

If you are not doing this, Skip to Step 5

NOTE: it will be very difficult to add the side-glow after Step 5! If you are not sure whether or not you will want the sideglow later, just solder the wires to the PCB now, or buy these 3-pin, 2.54-pitch Screw Terminals and solder those on.

Strip the wires on both ends, and peel back the clear rubber a bit on the RGB strips as shown:

Add some solder to the pads on the strip:

Now solder the wires onto the pads. It helps to use something heavy to hold the RGB Strip down while you do this:

Optional: cover the soldered connection with heatshrink tubing or tape.

Solder the other end of the wires to the PCB. NOTE: The wires must be put in the correct hole, as labeled on the PCB, and on the RGB strips:

Solder the wires in place, then trim the excess copper.

Repeat Step 5 for the opposite side, unless you just want side glow on one side ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Stick it on the side however you like!

STEP 5: Assemble PCB to Plate

Gather the appropriate number of MX style switches of your choosing (sold separately; ~65 switches required)

Mate the Switch Plate together with the PCB [Parts No. 3 & 4]

Be careful with the RGB Side glow wires, if installed: Firmly bend the wires around toward the taller edge of the plate and make a U-turn to keep them in place, with the LEDs facing outward away from the plate.

Now, Push several switches into the plate around the edges and in the middle, and into PCB.

Solder these "anchor switches" into place, making sure the switches are all the way into the plate, and the PCB is sitting flat against the switches.

Continue soldering the remainder of the switches in place until your selected layout is achieved. Reminder: the plate controls the possible layouts, not the PCB.

We recommend you wash your hands after soldering.🧼

STEP 6. Serial Plate on the Bottom Case

Line up the Bottom Gasket with the Bottom Case so that the holes for the badge line up, as well as the semi-circle slots along the front edge.

The bolted joint should be as follows from outside-in:

M3 Screw -> Badge -> [Bottom Case] -> Bottom Gasket -> M3 Nut Screw heads should always be on the outside of the case.

Do not over-tighten the screws, you could rip through the rubber. Nobody likes a broken rubber. 🦀

STEP 7: Handle and Cable

Sort of self-explanatory. Make sure the handle's washers and nuts are on the inside of the case.

Install the cable to the Top Case using two M3 screws. Apply an even amount of installation torque on both screws. When installed, the cable should be bent toward the inside of the case.

For some comic relief/example of how not to do it: watch this clip twice. The second time at 0.25x speed. Reminder, the Saturn-60 has a lot of gravity. 🦖

The silver aluminum (default) handles benefit greatly from some lubrication on their hinge mechanism. Grab your Top Case half and flip if over Take the frame-shaped Top Gasket foam [Part No. 8] and place it around the cutout of the Top Case:

STEP 8: Foam and Plate Assembly

Add the Upper Gasket foam around the cutout of the Top Case:

The Upper Gasket is optional, but it helps reduce echoes and keeps debris out of the keyboard.

Place the Plate+PCB assembly into the foam like so, and plug in the USB cable:

Then, tuck the front edge of the plate underneath the PEM® nuts inside the front lip of the case:

If you wish, you can now add the inside part of the Upper Gasket:

Now, make sure the plate is even side-to-side, and the foam is as far back as the USB connector allows:

Take a break because this next step requires finesse. ⛳ You've probably been breathing solder fumes, so go outside for a bit, drink some water, and then come back.

STEP 9: Fitting the Two Case Halves

You may want to put something (like a folded-up towel) underneath the front edge of the Top Case to allow some space between the opening and the work surface.

Invert the Bottom Case Assembly from Step 6.

Lower the assembly onto the Top Case (which is upside-down on the table), and check that the cable is not interfering before applying force to close.

Install the screws on the bottom of the case. All on the bottom, with the exception of the Serial Plate should have washers.

Now, screw in the screws on the back wall of the keyboard.

You can now flip the whole thing over and test the fit of the foam and plate assembly.

If the foam is too close to the switches: gently nudge it back with the hex key (but not too far!!!):

Then, line up the Plate+PCB Assembly:

For proper alignment, you may need to shift the plate toward the front of the case. There might be a lot of friction so take your time. Installing one keycap in each corner will help you determine when the plate is in the right location. When it is, you should tighten down all four screws that hold the plate.

The image above shows the final-assembly positions of the plate screws. When they are in this position, the keycaps should not hit the case. 🥳 After this step, you can install the rest of the keycaps and clack away! ⚡

STEP 10: Saturn-60 Badge (Optional)

Clean the area where the badge will go using soapy water or rubbing alcohol (not denatured alcohol). Make sure the surface is dry.

Use 0.94" (24mm) masking tape to align the badge rectilinearly with the case. We know you can do it by eye, but trust us. Just get the tape.👾

STEP 11: Rubber Feet (Optional)

If you plan to use the keyboard on hard surfaces, the four included rubber bumpers should be used (Part #15). These bumpers are non-marking.

Identify a place to put these four on the Bottom Case half, as far to the corners as possible. Clean the powdercoated surface; view the previous step for info on cleaning the surface.

Peel off the feet one-by-one and press them onto the case firmly.🐾

STEP 12: Programming

The Titan60 is QMK and VIA compatible.

Here are the keymaps:

Feedback

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