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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: adhoc on Tue, 17 December 2013, 15:34:05

Title: Making keycaps out of polyamide? -looking for 3d models!
Post by: adhoc on Tue, 17 December 2013, 15:34:05
So it has come to my attention I have an old friend of mine who can do practically anything from polyamide. All he needs is 3D model, the rest is done by a machine with a laser melting dust layer by layer. Colours are not a problem and from what he tells me colours do not wash away with time.

Now my question is - anybody has any experience with polyamide keycaps?

If anybody has 3d models of keycaps I'm inviting you to send me them, so I can print a few keys from this plastic and test out the durability on them! Can be topre or MX!
Title: Re: Making keycaps out of polyamide? -looking for 3d models!
Post by: mkawa on Tue, 17 December 2013, 22:34:41
i'm not a polymer chemist, but "polyamide" isn't very specific. all this really means is that he has access to an SLS polymer printer. we mostly deal with extrusion printing in the living 3d printing thread, but i think we're all perfectly happy to talk about sintering as well (except of course for a couple people.. ;)).
Title: Re: Making keycaps out of polyamide? -looking for 3d models!
Post by: adhoc on Wed, 18 December 2013, 01:39:37
I'm honestly not that good when it comes to plastics, I'm into calculations professionally. If my modeling capabilities are not too rusted I should be able to produce a 3d model of a keycap and try this out, just for the hell of it.

I'll ask if he can be more specific regarding the material.
Title: Re: Making keycaps out of polyamide? -looking for 3d models!
Post by: agodinhost on Wed, 18 December 2013, 12:41:03
Have you tried to look at Thingiverse my friend?
I saw a few simple keycaps there.
Title: Re: Making keycaps out of polyamide? -looking for 3d models!
Post by: adhoc on Wed, 18 December 2013, 14:56:57
Quote from: agodinhost on Wed, 18 December 2013, 12:41:03
Have you tried to look at Thingiverse my friend?
I saw a few simple keycaps there.

Very nice!

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:31995

It's there! Thank you! I will definitely try to make one now that it's almost zero work just to try it out. Will report back!

EDIT:

Quote from: mkawa on Tue, 17 December 2013, 22:34:41
i'm not a polymer chemist, but "polyamide" isn't very specific. all this really means is that he has access to an SLS polymer printer. we mostly deal with extrusion printing in the living 3d printing thread, but i think we're all perfectly happy to talk about sintering as well (except of course for a couple people.. ;)).
This is the plastic he will be using (PA2200 from EOS or Duraform PA from 3d Systems - same powder);

He got the 3D model and will create a few keycaps and high polish them. Will update this thread once I get my hands on them. Thank you all for now!
Title: Re: Making keycaps out of polyamide? -looking for 3d models!
Post by: agodinhost on Wed, 18 December 2013, 18:38:03
Quote from: adhoc on Wed, 18 December 2013, 14:56:57
He got the 3D model and will create a few keycaps and high polish them. Will update this thread once I get my hands on them. Thank you all for now!
Polish?? Nahhh
Take a look into this video: