Signature Plastics is the only manufacturer who produces key caps in SA profile. I don't know that they hold any patents but they're the only ones with the molds so interpret that as you will. Nobody else seems interested in investing in the molds to produce SA for a sub-niche market. Can you blame them? And it takes months to produce a set in the quantities we've seen recently, so get used to waiting or start liking other profiles. Those are your options... for now.
I'm honestly not sure why Jukebox needs to run again so soon, but I'm not the one calling the shots at Massdrop. There must be a ridiculous demand for it.
Well as of this date, massdrop jukebox page says:
" 1183 users have requested this product."
I feel like the market has recently graduated from sub-niche to niche but maybe that's just wishful thinking. Regardless, SA has significantly underestimated the demand. It's time for another option , we need another plastics company to step up. I've experimented with 3D printing and mold making, and neither of these options are efficient for producing thousands of keycaps.
I spoke with a plastics company in Brooklyn last week and he told me the start up costs are exceeding $50,000 buying plastics mixing colors, make all the molds, so I understand the reluctance. it's the New Yorker in me that says " I want it, so it must be available"
As for the possible patent, seriously doubt it, but would love to know if it has any merit, as my schemes will then have to include redesigning the whole keyset!
I think this is new thread. Where should i post to get some interest in starting an alternative SA keycap manufacturer? I can't be the only one scratching his head
