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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: Matt3o on Tue, 11 November 2014, 12:33:38

Title: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: Matt3o on Tue, 11 November 2014, 12:33:38: 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

(http://i.imgur.com/NNoVUex.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/6RvUPuD.jpg)

Thoughts? Suggestions?
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: CPTBadAss on Tue, 11 November 2014, 12:35:06: 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.
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: engicoder on Tue, 11 November 2014, 12:48:34: Quote from: CPTBadAss on Tue, 11 November 2014, 12:35:06
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.
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: Matt3o on Tue, 11 November 2014, 13:56:10: Quote from: CPTBadAss on Tue, 11 November 2014, 12:35:06
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.
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: nubbinator on Tue, 11 November 2014, 14:05:44: Quote from: engicoder on Tue, 11 November 2014, 12:48:34
Quote from: CPTBadAss on Tue, 11 November 2014, 12:35:06
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?
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: 0100010 on Tue, 11 November 2014, 15:56:40: Awesome design.
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: Matt3o on Tue, 11 November 2014, 17:12:08: is someone working on something similar? I've seen an iron keycap, but definitely a different concept.
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: HPE1000 on Tue, 11 November 2014, 17:16:27: Quote from: Matt3o on Tue, 11 November 2014, 17:12:08
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.

(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g426/gladysstore/MARTIN/HOT%20KEYS%20PROJECT/Armor%20caps/9_zps6ac61178.jpg~original)
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: Matt3o on Tue, 11 November 2014, 17:21:07: 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
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: engicoder on Tue, 11 November 2014, 17:21:34: Quote from: nubbinator on Tue, 11 November 2014, 14:05:44
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 (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=59800.0)
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: ConscienceDrop on Tue, 11 November 2014, 17:25:32: 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!
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: Karura on Tue, 11 November 2014, 17:27:44: (http://scontent-a.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xfa1/t51.2885-15/10643822_834116476607550_1152845341_a.jpg)
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: Matt3o on Wed, 12 November 2014, 09:50:42: now with plastic insert!

(http://i.imgur.com/BZteMlp.png)
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 12 November 2014, 09:51:57: Ooooo, would love to see that lit up :)
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: Matt3o on Wed, 12 November 2014, 09:56:17: I'm going to order one on shapeways!
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: heedpantsnow on Wed, 12 November 2014, 09:56:36: 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.
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: Matt3o on Wed, 12 November 2014, 10:41:15: 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.
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: 3Love on Thu, 13 November 2014, 13:49:50: If you can make the metal keycap clearly like the picture, I believe it's really good product.
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: Matt3o on Thu, 13 November 2014, 16:48:00: This is an automated preview on shapeways. Unfortunately it's not from top. Anyway it should be ready by the end of the month.

(http://i.imgur.com/Ryx5hBa.jpg)
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: twiddle on Thu, 13 November 2014, 18:47:19: Quote from: Matt3o on Wed, 12 November 2014, 09:50:42
now with plastic insert!

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/BZteMlp.png)

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.
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: Matt3o on Fri, 14 November 2014, 01:26:44: yes that would be rhino, not a huge fan, but I had a very old license and keep using it.
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: GenKaan on Fri, 14 November 2014, 04:18:41: Looks nice but it does look very similar to the Armor Cap, would love to see it in person :)
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: 00zeRO on Sat, 15 November 2014, 09:42:09: Quote from: Matt3o on Tue, 11 November 2014, 12:33:38
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
(http://i.imgur.com/NNoVUex.png)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/6RvUPuD.jpg)

Thoughts? Suggestions?

+1

No suggestions, just a comment, "That's awesome!"
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: mkawa on Sun, 16 November 2014, 18:55:42: overmold something translucent over each metal cap. if you're going to make this with your router though start with cast metal blanks...
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: Matt3o on Mon, 17 November 2014, 01:46:26: Quote from: mkawa on Sun, 16 November 2014, 18:55:42
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
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: Matt3o on Tue, 25 November 2014, 04:29:33: YES! Shapeway just shipped 2 arc reactors :)

I'll get them in a couple of days! Can't wait!
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: Evo_Spec on Tue, 25 November 2014, 05:47:45: Very cool, can't wait to see it!
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: mkawa on Tue, 25 November 2014, 06:41:25: achtung matt3o! i want one!
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: 00zeRO on Tue, 25 November 2014, 10:26:57: Quote from: mkawa on Tue, 25 November 2014, 06:41:25
achtung matt3o! i want one!

Ja, das ist stimmt! Kommen das bitte!
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: GankIndustries on Tue, 25 November 2014, 11:25:07: Quote from: Matt3o on Thu, 13 November 2014, 16:48:00
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
(http://i.imgur.com/Ryx5hBa.jpg)

Damn, that is sexy.
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: Matt3o on Thu, 27 November 2014, 05:54:57: 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 :P

(http://i.imgur.com/E8OS9gu.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/Vq5dl9H.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/ucnmwDR.jpg)
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: Evo_Spec on Thu, 27 November 2014, 07:08:49: It's nifty lookin!
Too bad the insert didn't work, would have loved to see that.
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: 00zeRO on Thu, 27 November 2014, 09:43:46: Quote from: Matt3o on Thu, 27 November 2014, 05:54:57
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 :P

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/E8OS9gu.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/Vq5dl9H.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/ucnmwDR.jpg)

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

Very cool though.
Title: Re: Prototype Arc Reactor
Post by: Matt3o on Thu, 27 November 2014, 09:51:41: I haven't put this on sale yet.