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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: att1cus on Mon, 13 July 2015, 22:00:48

Title: Some custom 3D printed metal caps from ShapeWays
Post by: att1cus on Mon, 13 July 2015, 22:00:48

A few weeks back, Ravnzcroft and I designed these keys for one of my first experiment with artisan keycaps.  I had decided to go with a white, silver, and blue theme for my first keyset, and found that you can order keycaps custom in various metals from his shop on ShapeWays.  These are the 2 keys I had made in polished nickel steel - 1 ESC key and 1 key with the NERV logo from the Evangelion reboot series (anime).  The keys came out great, with a delicate almost wood-grain texture from the 3D printing/CNC milling process.  They're not quite as smooth/shiny as my other metal keys, but they're unique and a great compliment to my set.  Check em out:

(http://i.imgur.com/4hfEiJG.jpg)

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

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

Title: Re: Some custom 3D printed metal caps from ShapeWays
Post by: neverused on Mon, 13 July 2015, 22:21:05

I like the Evangelion one, do you mind if I ask how much they cost?

Title: Re: Some custom 3D printed metal caps from ShapeWays
Post by: dwk396 on Mon, 13 July 2015, 22:36:06

That looks pretty sweet.

Title: Re: Some custom 3D printed metal caps from ShapeWays
Post by: att1cus on Mon, 13 July 2015, 23:08:37

Quote from: neverused on Mon, 13 July 2015, 22:21:05

I like the Evangelion one, do you mind if I ask how much they cost?

Nope not at all! The cost depends on what material you choose.  Using the polished nickel steel, it was $22.11 USD each plus shipping.  Since they're each done from scratch, they have a 1.5-2week production time.

Title: Re: Some custom 3D printed metal caps from ShapeWays
Post by: UsualSuspectXXX on Tue, 14 July 2015, 21:25:36

Those look really cool! I might have to consider this

Title: Re: Some custom 3D printed metal caps from ShapeWays
Post by: KHAANNN on Wed, 15 July 2015, 09:57:08

The Esc looks great!

I wondered whether it's feasible/possible to get an all metal 3d printed keycap set, a while back, it's obviously not a very good idea, but it was the legends that held me back from considering it further

I wonder how you solved that problem, are they empty?

In any case, it's a beauty, congratulations

Title: Re: Some custom 3D printed metal caps from ShapeWays
Post by: att1cus on Wed, 15 July 2015, 10:36:16

Quote from: KHAANNN on Wed, 15 July 2015, 09:57:08

The Esc looks great!

I wondered whether it's feasible/possible to get an all metal 3d printed keycap set, a while back, it's obviously not a very good idea, but it was the legends that held me back from considering it further

I wonder how you solved that problem, are they empty?

In any case, it's a beauty, congratulations

Thanks! Yep, all of the backlit portions are simply cut-outs designed to allow the LED to shine through.  I thought the cut-outs on the sides would just look great, give a sort of skeletonized look, and also allow more light to come through.  The finished product definitely came out excellent.  Here's the links to the actual keys if you're interested.

ESC: https://www.shapeways.com/product/DT89ZH32R/backlit-escape-keycap-r4-1x1
NERV: https://www.shapeways.com/product/J5WZT79CZ/nerv-logo-backlit-keycap-r4-1x1

Title: Re: Some custom 3D printed metal caps from ShapeWays
Post by: v0idtek on Mon, 20 July 2015, 12:13:26

I've had some metal keycaps printed with shapeways, I wish the layer heights were a bit finer. Very conspicuous ridges, and it's kind of unavoidable unless you hand polish them afterwards.