Abstract: A venting system for a keyboard assembly is disclosed. A keyboard assembly including a printed circuit board defining a set of apertures, and a group of switch housings coupled to the printed circuit board. Each switch housing of the group of switch housings may define a switch opening positioned above one of the set of apertures of the printed circuit board. The keyboard assembly may also include a shield defining at least one channel of a venting system formed below the printed circuit board. The at least one channel may be in fluid communication with at least one aperture, and at least one of the switch openings positioned above the at least one aperture.

Abstract: A manufacturing process for providing an assembly formed of a first piece and a best fitted second piece is described. The manufacturing process is carried out by performing at least the following operations: receiving the first piece characterized in accordance with at least a first attribute, selecting the best fitted second piece from a buffer, the selecting based in part upon a best matching value of a second attribute in relation to the first attribute, replacing the selected best fitted second piece with another second piece such that the number of second pieces in the buffer remains about the same, and forming the assembly the first part and the second part to form the assembly.

Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device includes a retention member that provides a force to a flexible circuit disposed in a top portion and a bottom portion of the portable computing device. The retention member limits movement of the flexible circuit when, for example, the flexible circuit receives a force in response to the top portion pivoting with respect to the bottom portion. The bottom portion of the portable computing devices includes a bottom case having multiple terraced regions. The terraced regions allow the bottom portion to receive additional internal components, such as one or more battery packs, a main logic board, and/or one or more speaker modules. The battery packs are secured to the terraced region via adhesive rings. Although the terraced regions require additional material removed from the bottom case, the internal components secured to the bottom case provide structural support.

Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device includes a retention member that provides a force to a flexible circuit disposed in a top portion and a bottom portion of the portable computing device. The retention member limits movement of the flexible circuit when, for example, the flexible circuit receives a force in response to the top portion pivoting with respect to the bottom portion. The bottom portion of the portable computing devices includes a bottom case having multiple terraced regions. The terraced regions allow the bottom portion to receive additional internal components, such as one or more battery packs, a main logic board, and/or one or more speaker modules. The battery packs are secured to the terraced region via adhesive rings. Although the terraced regions require additional material removed from the bottom case, the internal components secured to the bottom case provide structural support.

Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device includes a top case of a reduced size and shape. In order to assemble a keyboard assembly in the top case, the keyboard assembly is designed to deform or bend without causing damage to the keyboard assembly or a circuit board of the keyboard assembly. Methods of inserting the keyboard assembly into the top case are described. Also, in order to secure the keyboard assembly with the top case, an alignment tool is described having several fastener receives designed to detach from a main body of the alignment tool. The fastener receivers may be aligned at a non-zero angle that is substantially similar with a non-zero angle of end openings of the circuit board and end cavities of the top case. This allows for easier assembly of several fasteners. The keyboard assembly may further include a keyboard shield.

Abstract: A venting system for a keyboard assembly is disclosed. A keyboard assembly including a printed circuit board defining a set of apertures, and a group of switch housings coupled to the printed circuit board. Each switch housing of the group of switch housings may define a switch opening positioned above one of the set of apertures of the printed circuit board. The keyboard assembly may also include a shield defining at least one channel of a venting system formed below the printed circuit board. The at least one channel may be in fluid communication with at least one aperture, and at least one of the switch openings positioned above the at least one aperture.

Abstract: A manufacturing process for providing an assembly formed of a first piece and a best fitted second piece is described. The manufacturing process is carried out by performing at least the following operations: receiving the first piece characterized in accordance with at least a first attribute, selecting the best fitted second piece from a buffer, the selecting based in part upon a best matching value of a second attribute in relation to the first attribute, replacing the selected best fitted second piece with another second piece such that the number of second pieces in the buffer remains about the same, and forming the assembly the first part and the second part to form the assembly.

Abstract: A manufacturing process for providing an assembly formed of a first piece and a best fitted second piece is described. The manufacturing process is carried out by performing at least the following operations: receiving the first piece characterized in accordance with at least a first attribute, selecting the best fitted second piece from a buffer, the selecting based in part upon a best matching value of a second attribute in relation to the first attribute replacing the selected best fitted second piece with another second piece such that the number of second pieces in the buffer remains about the same, and forming the assembly the first part and the second part to form the assembly.

Abstract: A manufacturing process for providing an assembly formed of a first piece and a best fitted second piece is described. The manufacturing process is carried out by performing at least the following operations: receiving the first piece characterized in accordance with at least a first attribute, selecting the best fitted second piece from a buffer, the selecting based in part upon a best matching value of a second attribute in relation to the first attribute replacing the selected best fitted second piece with another second piece such that the number of second pieces in the buffer remains about the same, and forming the assembly the first part and the second part to form the assembly.

Abstract: A manufacturing process for providing an assembly formed of a first piece and a best fitted second piece is described. The manufacturing process is carried out by performing at least the following operations: receiving the first piece characterized in accordance with at least a first attribute, selecting the best fitted second piece from a buffer, the selecting based in part upon a best matching value of a second attribute in relation to the first attribute, replacing the selected best fitted second piece with another second piece such that the number of second pieces in the buffer remains about the same, and forming the assembly the first part and the second part to form the assembly.