Prototype Arc Reactor

[Matt3o]

I know this has been attempted in the past, but not like this. The idea would be to have the keycap made out of metal. Of course light bleeds through the holes

This is the 3d prototype





Thoughts? Suggestions?

[CPTBadAss]

I wonder if you could print a little translucent cover to fit over the hole so you can get an LED to cast a glow through the cover. That way you'd get a wonderful diffused light instead of just an LED poking through.

[engicoder]

I wonder if you could print a little translucent cover to fit over the hole so you can get an LED to cast a glow through the cover. That way you'd get a wonderful diffused light instead of just an LED poking through.

Might be easier to have a recess on the underside of the cap with the translucent piece there. The edges of the piece would then be hidden. Probably 3d print both pieces.

[Matt3o]

I wonder if you could print a little translucent cover to fit over the hole so you can get an LED to cast a glow through the cover. That way you'd get a wonderful diffused light instead of just an LED poking through.

yes, that would be possible, but not with a cherry/DCS profile (due to the not-centered stem position). I'd need to work on a SA-like or DSA-like profile to have that working.

[nubbinator]

I wonder if you could print a little translucent cover to fit over the hole so you can get an LED to cast a glow through the cover. That way you'd get a wonderful diffused light instead of just an LED poking through.

Might be easier to have a recess on the underside of the cap with the translucent piece there. The edges of the piece would then be hidden. Probably 3d print both pieces.

At that point, wouldn't you just be doing Martin's "Armor" caps?

[0100010]

Awesome design.

[Matt3o]

is someone working on something similar? I've seen an iron keycap, but definitely a different concept.

[HPE1000]

is someone working on something similar? I've seen an iron keycap, but definitely a different concept.

They have been in a couple sales so far, afaik.

[Matt3o]

yeah that's what I've seen. Definitely not the same design Also mine would be out of metal (if it will ever happen...)

Tomorrow I'll try to make a 2 pieces keycap, with a plastic insert to diffuse the light. Might be interesting

[engicoder]

At that point, wouldn't you just be doing Martin's "Armor" caps?

I believe he is referring to this: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=59800.0

[ConscienceDrop]

looks nice as hell.
im not a fan of the subject material so i would probably pass on this but its beauty cant be denied and its very understated so would look amazing on more minimalist boards where novelties usually stand out too much!

[Karura]

[Matt3o]

now with plastic insert!

[CPTBadAss]

Ooooo, would love to see that lit up

[Matt3o]

I'm going to order one on shapeways!

[heedpantsnow]

Sweet.  I can see how sby would think this is copying Martin's.  I can also see that it's sufficiently different.

Would be cool if it had a really thin dashed line in the "wires" running up the side to light them up a bit.  Can do that kind of thing with 3d printing that would be a pain to machine that small.

[Matt3o]

please note that I'm not a vendor. I'm doing this for me and few folks who want it. Anyway the designs seem pretty different to me.

[3Love]

If you can make the metal keycap clearly like the picture, I believe it's really good product.

[Matt3o]

This is an automated preview on shapeways. Unfortunately it's not from top. Anyway it should be ready by the end of the month.

[twiddle]

now with plastic insert!

Show Image

Using Rhino for the model? I recognise the grid. Rhino was the first 3d application I learnt.

Oh, and the cap looks great - I'll be curious to see how the detail translates to sintered metal. 

[Matt3o]

yes that would be rhino, not a huge fan, but I had a very old license and keep using it.

[GenKaan]

Looks nice but it does look very similar to the Armor Cap, would love to see it in person

[00zeRO]

I know this has been attempted in the past, but not like this. The idea would be to have the keycap made out of metal. Of course light bleeds through the holes

This is the 3d prototype

Show Image

Show Image

Thoughts? Suggestions?

+1

No suggestions, just a comment, "That's awesome!"

[mkawa]

overmold something translucent over each metal cap. if you're going to make this with your router though start with cast metal blanks...

[Matt3o]

overmold something translucent over each metal cap

this is actually a good idea. not sure how to prevent the resin to bleed over the metal on the top though

[Matt3o]

YES! Shapeway just shipped 2 arc reactors

I'll get them in a couple of days! Can't wait!

[Evo_Spec]

Very cool, can't wait to see it!

[mkawa]

achtung matt3o! i want one!

[00zeRO]

achtung matt3o! i want one!

Ja, das ist stimmt! Kommen das bitte!

[GankIndustries]

This is an automated preview on shapeways. Unfortunately it's not from top. Anyway it should be ready by the end of the month.

Show Image

Damn, that is sexy.

[Matt3o]

I got it!

The plastic insert doesn't work. Metal 3d print is too irregular to fit such a small insert. It would still be possible to throw some resin inside the holes but it works pretty well barebone actually.

I'm not 100% satisfied by the print quality, the pumpkin came out better, but well a nice addition to my collection nonetheless

[Evo_Spec]

It's nifty lookin!
Too bad the insert didn't work, would have loved to see that.

[00zeRO]

I got it!

The plastic insert doesn't work. Metal 3d print is too irregular to fit such a small insert. It would still be possible to throw some resin inside the holes but it works pretty well barebone actually.

I'm not 100% satisfied by the print quality, the pumpkin came out better, but well a nice addition to my collection nonetheless

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Are these available for purchase on shapeways? I'm unfamiliar with how that all works...

Very cool though.

[Matt3o]

I haven't put this on sale yet.