Radical keyboard design for PDM 09

The AXIS 49 is a small unit designed for the studio/home market which is played through a computer

The AXIS 49 is a USB ‘plug and play’ version of the AXIS 64 professional midi-controller which is used by musicians and record producers. Darren Price of electronica group Underworld said: "It allows you to make note combinations that you'd never dream of on a piano keyboard."

Norwich-based C-Thru worked with design group Minima and Cambridge Micro Engineering on both versions. “The key shapes are tessellating hexagons, forming a Harmonic Table, where every single, double or triple key-press creates a harmonic sound – something a regular shaped keyboard cannot achieve,” said Minima.

The designers worked to different music styles when they created four initial design ideas. The “melodic” design was selected to be developed, with a wrist rest added to the front edge.

The AXIS 49 is a small unit designed for the studio/home market which is played through a computer. Minima design director Alastair Kingsland said the design used plastics in place of the metal-based Axis 64, requiring high accuracy in design and injection moulding. The casing is moulded in ABS.

Kingsland will present Minima’s work on the plastics keyboard at the Plastics Design & Moulding 09 event in May. The PDM Design in Detail conference sessions will provide concept-to-production case studies of innovative plastic product designs.

A second case study that Kingsland will discuss at PDM is Minima’s latest wireless hub design in ABS/PC for Airvana. The US company provides network infrastructure products used by wireless operators to deliver mobile broadband services.

Kingsland said there were a number of creative challenges: reverting to a ‘clip-together’ design; component reduction; increase in airflow to deal with hotter climates; reflection of Airvana brand values.

“When designing for a global market, it is important to create something that will sit comfortably in a wide range of domestic settings, without looking out of place. We also needed to ensure the high-tech character of the brand was expressed.”

For more on the PDM 09 exhibition and conference, organised by PRW publisher Crain Communications, visit www.pdmevent.com

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