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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: Talfrey on Tue, 10 January 2012, 08:23:01

Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: Talfrey on Tue, 10 January 2012, 08:23:01
http://www.makerbot.com/

So this could be really cool, making your own custom shaped keycaps with a 3D printer.

Thoughts?
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: SmallFry on Tue, 10 January 2012, 08:33:30
The texture will be rougher. I believe they only print in ABS if that makes a difference to you. Also, if you do decide to make them, don't forget to make things roundish. Sharp keys may ruin your day.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: Talfrey on Tue, 10 January 2012, 10:46:49
Hmm, I wonder if maybe you could make them and sand them smooth, or rough, as needed?

I certainly don't have the spare income to drop 1k-2k on a whim, but I imagine there's someone out there who might, and considering that we see some crazy prices on custom keycaps (admittedly my opinion), the ability to make your own whole set might be a genuine idea to entertain.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Tue, 10 January 2012, 11:43:21
I had a discussion about this in the "Make your own keycap" mod thread.

My uni's robotics soc has a 3D printer, but it's busted and they cbf to fix it. I was going to try and print some keycaps and see what would happen. But yeah, the result will most likely need some processing (sanding etc).

I'd like to own one tho, being a gundam modeller, It'd be nice to just print custom parts for projects.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: Barn on Tue, 10 January 2012, 15:51:52
I read somewhere that it wouldn't be accurate enough - not sure if that was fact or opinion though.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Tue, 10 January 2012, 20:28:23
Quote from: Barn;487487
I read somewhere that it wouldn't be accurate enough - not sure if that was fact or opinion though.

My worry would be the accuracy for the stem, It might not be perfect, but I believe it can be done (or fixed after it's printed). You can get the plastic out of the nozzle quite thin and the machinery should be quite accurate.
In any case some work needs to be done after printing to make it look right/fit.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: Talfrey on Fri, 13 January 2012, 20:37:35
Woah. Are those metal?

We could have Metal keycaps?

Time to go back to college methinks <<
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: Talfrey on Fri, 13 January 2012, 22:43:13
I'm more excited about the prospect of CUSTOM metal keycaps.

I know metal keycaps exist, but imagine metal keycaps with crazy designs on them?
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: dorkvader on Fri, 13 January 2012, 23:21:09
Quote from: Talfrey;490054
I'm more excited about the prospect of CUSTOM metal keycaps.

I know metal keycaps exist, but imagine metal keycaps with crazy designs on them?
Shapeways will do it, though it'll be expensive.

imagine a metal vader keycap (OMG!)
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: Talfrey on Sat, 14 January 2012, 00:22:08
Quote from: dorkvader;490066
Shapeways will do it, though it'll be expensive.

imagine a metal vader keycap (OMG!)

It would figure a fellow named "Dork Vader" would be in love with the idea of a Metal Darth Vader keycap.

Know what would be really cool? Minecraft Keycaps.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: dorkvader on Sat, 14 January 2012, 01:27:55
You'd have to make them stackable.

I'm helping my roommate make circuits in redstone.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Sat, 14 January 2012, 09:51:34
Quote from: Talfrey;490089
It would figure a fellow named "Dork Vader" would be in love with the idea of a Metal Darth Vader keycap.

Know what would be really cool? Minecraft Keycaps.

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?25674-Custom-Keycap-Ideas-Thread-all-ideas-welcome&p=490232&viewfull=1#post490232

>.> Just to keep all the keycap ideas out of the wrong thread.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: captain on Wed, 01 February 2012, 15:44:59
Ha!  I get frustrated with Round4 BS, so go out on the web looking for this idea... and end up right back here at geekhack.  :-P
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Wed, 01 February 2012, 20:32:31
Infinite loop!

My Uni's robotic's club seems to have fixed their makerbot. I will be bugging them to let me use it to make a couple keycaps to see what it would be like. = D
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: Dox on Wed, 01 February 2012, 20:35:52
Quote from: hazeluff;505807
Infinite loop!
[OffTopic]
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=cache%3Almgtfy.com+Dear+god%3A+make+it+stop (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=cache%3Almgtfy.com+Dear+god%3A+make+it+stop)
[/OffTopic]
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: captain on Fri, 03 February 2012, 02:06:05
Good one DOX!

From click clack's info I get the feeling that he is using a makerbot to make his awesome art keycaps.  Does anyone know?
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: Jigo on Fri, 03 February 2012, 02:20:50
Makerbot doesn't have the ability to make anything with a clean appearance like an injection molded piece. The printing tip extrudes the molten plastic at a constant rate, so the only real variables are the extruder tip (smaller hole) and the speed at which the printing head moves (stretching the extruded stream very thin). They actually have a page for all the known records for a number of categories regarding makerbot, one of which is the Highest Resolution:  http://wiki.makerbot.com/hall-of-fame-highest-resolution

Just looking at the images there, the results are impressive, but you'd have to really sand it down to make it look like anything else on your board. Even then, they'd look pretty rough and obviously homebrewed. I still would love to get my hands on one of these things tho, haha.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: whiskerBox on Tue, 07 February 2012, 13:08:52
This might be a better solution, its kind of like a mini cnc machine

[ATTACH=CONFIG]39581[/ATTACH]

source (http://www.coolthings.com/roland-imodela-is-a-desktop-milling-machine/)
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: tsangan on Tue, 07 February 2012, 13:14:36
Yeah that mini CNC machine is the way to go for keycaps i think :)
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Tue, 07 February 2012, 13:14:57
Quote from: whiskerBox;508394
This might be a better solution, its kind of like a mini cnc machine

(Attachment) 39581[/ATTACH]

source (http://www.coolthings.com/roland-imodela-is-a-desktop-milling-machine/)


Makerbot > that.

You can print larger stuff. = D LARGER. BIGGER.Bigger Implies Better.

They are about the same price too.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Tue, 07 February 2012, 13:16:07
Quote from: tsangan;508399
Yeah that mini CNC machine is the way to go for keycaps i think :)

Well personally Id still get the makerbot and put in the time to sand. I just like to have the option of making larger things if I wanted. Also the makerbot is a self replicating machine. You can print the parts to build a makerbot.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: guilleguillaume on Tue, 07 February 2012, 17:02:03
Quote from: hazeluff;508402
Well personally Id still get the makerbot and put in the time to sand. I just like to have the option of making larger things if I wanted. Also the makerbot is a self replicating machine. You can print the parts to build a makerbot.

Did you mangage to try the Markerbot in your Uni's robotic's club?

I'm actually interested in that machine if we can make keycaps. Also, Do you know if it have the detail to copy miniatures?
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Tue, 07 February 2012, 18:15:46
Quote from: guilleguillaume;508599
Did you mangage to try the Markerbot in your Uni's robotic's club?

I'm actually interested in that machine if we can make keycaps. Also, Do you know if it have the detail to copy miniatures?

I need to get round it. I'll try 2morrow since its a half day, so everyone has the afternoon off. The time for the machine tho is scarce from what I hear, since there are people who need it for projects.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: Vyr1s on Fri, 10 February 2012, 12:00:17
Which makerbot is it?
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Fri, 10 February 2012, 12:00:50
Quote from: Vyr1s;511096
Which makerbot is it?

The one I'm talking about in uni is one of the older ones. Without the nice casing.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Sat, 11 February 2012, 08:07:55
Quote from: harrison;511458
cupcake?

Woops, Its a RepRap. == I swear they slapped on "Makerbot" on it tho.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/RepRap_'Mendel'.jpg
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: mkawa on Sat, 11 February 2012, 09:32:08
anyone who lives in seattle, you have access to a makerbot and a laser cutter for 25$ a month. google studentrnd. i live 1/4 time in seattle; if someone can get me a printable file for a cherry keycap i can try this next time i'm there.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: dorkvader on Sat, 11 February 2012, 10:38:20
See, this is why I wish we had a local hackerspace here. I'd sign up for that immediately.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Wed, 15 February 2012, 08:55:23
Okok, Robotics society finally fixed the damn RepRap. The president says he's gonna run a crash course on it within a week or two and I'll go to it and then make keycaps! They're using google SketchUp to design.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Wed, 15 February 2012, 15:17:19
[ATTACH=CONFIG]40660[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]40661[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]40662[/ATTACH]

Just a keycap I drew up in SketchUp.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: tsangan on Wed, 15 February 2012, 16:54:57
Make one already, I sent them a email regarding making keycaps but got no replies ;(

I still think the mini mill machine is better :P
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: whiskerBox on Wed, 15 February 2012, 17:00:04
Quote from: tsangan;515474


I still think the mini mill machine is better :P


Agreed
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: dorkvader on Wed, 15 February 2012, 18:56:06
Quote from: hazeluff;515399
(Attachment) 40661[/ATTACH]
Just a keycap I drew up in SketchUp.
I think you should have the posts connected at the bottom for stability. It seems pretty easy that one may break off!
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Wed, 15 February 2012, 19:28:04
Quote from: dorkvader;515579
I think you should have the posts connected at the bottom for stability. It seems pretty easy that one may break off!

I thought of that too, I'll be changing that... I thought it was pretty cool to do it that way. Then on the bus ride to icehockey I realized the problem of the pegs splitting apart.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]40696[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]40697[/ATTACH]
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: dorkvader on Wed, 15 February 2012, 23:48:27
Make the base of the peg connector a bit thicker than the rest, that way, it won't be as much of a stress raiser. You can only get away with it being flush to the top of the keycap like that if you have a round stem, The square one that meets flush will have significantly more stresses where it meets.

It's starting to look really good. How hard was it to define the front mesh (that the finger contacts) ?
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Thu, 16 February 2012, 08:58:31
Quote from: dorkvader;515810
Make the base of the peg connector a bit thicker than the rest, that way, it won't be as much of a stress raiser. You can only get away with it being flush to the top of the keycap like that if you have a round stem, The square one that meets flush will have significantly more stresses where it meets.

It's starting to look really good. How hard was it to define the front mesh (that the finger contacts) ?

The front mesh was not too hard. Tho SketchUp isn't very helpful with making round surfaces. There was a little trick to it, but not too much. The rounding of the edges was done by a ruby script I DLed.

I'm not sure what you mean with the pegs tho. Is the base of the peg connector the but round the keycap, or the bit that connects to the stem of the switch?

And about the round stem...I'm not sure if the stem gets so much force that I need to design it so carefully. Also given the way the plastic is laid out, I don't think there isn't much benefit between round and square(?). Also a round stem makes some bits particularly thin.

I dunno, I'm going to print this one out first and see how that goes. Also I don't think the reprap can print the curved surface. I'm thinking in my mind that no matter that orientation I print it, I can't make the curved surface...

If I print from the base to the top, the surface becomes this roof thing dangling in the air, that the RepRap can't print. If I start the other way round, the curved surface would face the table, and once again we can't print on air...
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: byFd on Thu, 16 February 2012, 09:45:58
i really have no clue about all this stuff but maybe you can shape something with that curve and use it as base to print on?
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Thu, 16 February 2012, 09:50:46
Quote from: byFd;516032
i really have no clue about all this stuff but maybe you can shape something with that curve and use it as base to print on?

I'm probably gonna make it flat, and then file off the surface till its curved.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: byFd on Thu, 16 February 2012, 09:52:28
Quote from: hazeluff;516035
I'm probably gonna make it flat, and then file off the surface till its curved.

that will make each cap unique, but at the same time it will be a lot of work i guess.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Thu, 16 February 2012, 09:56:55
Quote from: byFd;516037
that will make each cap unique, but at the same time it will be a lot of work i guess.

I can't see a way around it, because of how the reprap makes things.

I may have to conclude that 3D printing of keycaps is not the most efficient way of making keycaps.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: mkawa on Thu, 16 February 2012, 15:13:45
wat? why can't it make the cylindrical bit?
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: byFd on Thu, 16 February 2012, 15:27:31
well if you think about it, how should it do it?
it can't print in the air :P
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: mkawa on Thu, 16 February 2012, 15:55:57
the reprap isn't an extrusion printer?
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Thu, 16 February 2012, 17:26:45
Quote from: mkawa;516389
the reprap isn't an extrusion printer?

I believe it is.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: mkawa on Thu, 16 February 2012, 21:40:45
then my question stands
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Thu, 16 February 2012, 23:44:04
Quote from: mkawa;516652
then my question stands

It can make curved surfaces. but due it putting on layers and layers, it means I have to start from the base of they keycap or the top. If i start from the bottom. I can't actually print the top of the keycap because it'll be printed on air. If i print from top to bottom, the curved bit would mean some of it is "printed on air". Again it doesn't work.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: dorkvader on Fri, 17 February 2012, 00:15:37
Can you make it solid?
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: mkawa on Fri, 17 February 2012, 02:13:25
my impression on extrusion was that you could eg print an arch with the curved surface facing down as long as the radius was small enough.

anyway if nothing else you can print a flat key just to see if the thing can print walls thin enough for caps.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: Son of Gnome on Fri, 17 February 2012, 02:15:32
My best friend's dad has one of those at work I have never thought about making keycaps though hmmm...
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Fri, 17 February 2012, 03:05:36
Quote from: mkawa;516801
my impression on extrusion was that you could eg print an arch with the curved surface facing down as long as the radius was small enough.

anyway if nothing else you can print a flat key just to see if the thing can print walls thin enough for caps.
I dont think the top is angled right. But well see.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: captain on Mon, 20 February 2012, 04:42:00
Here's one for Ripster, the LEGO lover:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX1cO2XhMrg

hazeluff, why don't you create a base for your keycap out of clay that you form simply by pressing an existing keycap into?  Then when you build on that you'll get the proper shape.  Alternatively, build up extra thickness, and simply take a large drill bit to it, along the side, which will grind away the cylindrical top to the keycap.  :-)
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Mon, 20 February 2012, 08:00:26
Quote from: captain;519443
Here's one for Ripster, the LEGO lover:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX1cO2XhMrg

hazeluff, why don't you create a base for your keycap out of clay that you form simply by pressing an existing keycap into?  Then when you build on that you'll get the proper shape.  Alternatively, build up extra thickness, and simply take a large drill bit to it, along the side, which will grind away the cylindrical top to the keycap.  :-)

The clay idea doesnt quite work. Km lying in bed so i cant be bithered. But j am desjnging a flar top anf then sandin off the curved park. Im srill waiting on the guy to hold his crash coarse on how to use the machine.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: byFd on Mon, 20 February 2012, 08:25:18
Quote from: hazeluff;519491
The clay idea doesnt quite work. Km lying in bed so i cant be bithered. But j am desjnging a flar top anf then sandin off the curved park. Im srill waiting on the guy to hold his crash coarse on how to use the machine.

drunk? :D
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Mon, 20 February 2012, 09:24:49
No. Just woke up

Its really hard to type on my phone with one hand and on my side without my glasses on.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: byFd on Mon, 20 February 2012, 09:38:46
Quote from: hazeluff;519541
No. Just woke up

Its really hard to type on my phone with one hand and on my side without my glasses on.

ow. i guess i wouldn't type better in that case :D
but i don't go to geekhack from my phone usually.

you geek!
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Mon, 20 February 2012, 10:10:45
Yeah, its the first thing I do when I wake up. Its really hard to wake up in the morning and get out, so I use geekhack to start gaining consiousness.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: Aranair on Mon, 26 March 2012, 01:02:59
was the printing of the flat keycap pulled off in the end?:P
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: hazeluff on Mon, 26 March 2012, 02:25:21
Quote from: Aranair;556906
was the printing of the flat keycap pulled off in the end?:P

I got really busy and couldn't even have time to ask them if I could use the machine. And now that I have time, went back to them, they seem to have destroyed the printing nozzle again. So don't count of me delivering anything... T-T
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: Aranair on Mon, 26 March 2012, 02:32:00
ahh, thats a pity! Wonder if my ex-school has one.....i doubt they'll even let me get near it though.
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: faffer on Tue, 27 March 2012, 17:10:08
deleting duplicate post
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: faffer on Tue, 27 March 2012, 17:16:07
Here are examples of better resolution than what was posted earlier for the makerbot.  This is an ultimaker, still an extrusion machine.  I'm not sure what makes it better, if it's just better software techniques or the machine itself is more accurate.

https://davedurant.wordpress.com/2011/10/12/ultimaker-faq-but-what-about-the-quality-of-prints/
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: faffer on Wed, 28 March 2012, 19:36:52
In response to some previous posts.

Here are examples of an Ultimaker getting higher resolution than the makerbot record that was shown.  I think some of this is due to better software and could be replicated on other machines.
hxxp://davedurant.wordpress.com/2011/10/12/ultimaker-faq-but-what-about-the-quality-of-prints/

You can "print on air" with a dual extruder where the second extruder prints dissolving support material.
hxxp://www.3ders.org/articles/20120128-dissolvable-support-material-used-for-3d-printing-gearbox-and-hilbert-cube.html
hxxp://www.makerbot.com/blog/2011/02/21/makerbot-introduces-water-soluble-3d-printer-filament/
http://www.makerbot.com/blog/2011/03/18/pla-support-structure-dissolving-solution-from-ifeelbeta/
Title: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: dorkvader on Thu, 29 March 2012, 00:10:34
Quote from: faffer;559780
In response to some previous posts.

Here are examples of an Ultimaker getting higher resolution than the makerbot record that was shown.  I think some of this is due to better software and could be replicated on other machines.
http://davedurant.wordpress.com/2011/10/12/ultimaker-faq-but-what-about-the-quality-of-prints/

You can "print on air" with a dual extruder where the second extruder prints dissolving support material.
http://www.3ders.org/articles/20120128-dissolvable-support-material-used-for-3d-printing-gearbox-and-hilbert-cube.html
http://www.makerbot.com/blog/2011/02/21/makerbot-introduces-water-soluble-3d-printer-filament/
http://www.makerbot.com/blog/2011/03/18/pla-support-structure-dissolving-solution-from-ifeelbeta/
Links fixed.

Very interesting stuff. Thanks for the dual-extruders method of outputting a plastic and solvent, I hadn't thought of that. Keycaps way be entirely possible. I still want some decent home SLS machines to come out, so I can quickly rapid prototype ceramic keycaps, but pulsed lasers that high power are scary, and there's lots to worry about what with focusing, etc.
Title: Re: Makerbot Keycaps?
Post by: lazerpointer on Thu, 17 January 2013, 15:50:13
We have a Makerbot here at work I could use on the weekends. The problem is sourcing a 3d model. I don't know how to do it yet. I've looked up a few tutorials for Makerbot though, and since my co-workers have already set it up  and calibrated it (Industrial Design team) I can just sneak in there with my acrylic and get to business. Again, I would need the CAD files, or to spend some time learning how to make 3d models. Thingiverse don't have no keycaps :(


http://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=key+cap&sa=
 (http://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=key+cap&sa=)

I REALLY wanna do this.....


Edit:
Just talked it over with the ID lead and he gave me the OK to go ahead and print what ever I want. So I'm just working on getting the 3d models ATM