the Norbaforce Data Pad

This is my last aftermarket housing for Topre keyboards, designed to provide a luxurious home for the rare and wonderful Topre 23U (available inwhite and black) numpad.

Design details

Like its larger sibling the Norbaforce Mark IV, the Norbaforce Data Pad uses a breakout PCB to create a USB Mini port so that a detachable USB data cable can be used. The Data Pad has the same typing angle (3 degrees) as the Norbaforce Mark II with riser(s) installed.

Finishes

The Enigma Black and K2 finishes are durable textured powder coats applied on top of individually CNC-milled aluminum. Veracity Steel is stainless steel, hand-polished to a mirror finish. Because it has no coating, Veracity can be refinished by any metal polisher or jeweler and is thus indefinitely maintainable over a lifetime. Another such uncoated finish is frosted polycarbonate, which applies a bead-blasted frosted finish on top of a surface that has been previously polished to perfect optical clarify, which gives the frosted finish the best possbile cosmetic uniformity.

Included parts

Each data pad comes with a heavy stainless steel rear cover plate with a through-hole for accessing the dip swiches on the 23U PCB. A breakout PCB, non-marring rubber bumpons, hardware kit, and wool felt acoustic dampener are all included.

Nota bene

This is a DIY kit for keyboard tinkerers and hobbyists. It is an aftermarket upgrade housing and does not include the keyboard itself or keycaps (even though product images may show it with those for illustrative purposes). While the build isn't difficult, it does require taking apart your OEM keyboard. This may invalidate your keyboard warranty, and by purchasing you agree to take on that project and its results at your own risk. (But, of course, that's also part of the fun.) Of course, I'm always here to answer any questions by email if any arise during your install.