PBT double-shot possible?

[skeaono]

We've been always told that due to extreme shrinkage PBT isn't the ideal material for making double shots.
Then I found this on KBC's forum,

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Link

Rough translation
"I (KBC) am making the molds for PBT double-shot, !@%$%&^%#. (the rest is not so relevant)"

PBT double-shot? My dream might finally come true.:rofl:

[Djuzuh]

Spacebars are doable too in PBT, but are better done in ABS.

So maybe we'll get some irregularities in the designs, or we are very limited in what we can do, etc…

Wait and see !
 
Also, I actually don't mind having ABS keycaps.

[Roguemaster8]

Seems like more trouble then it's worth. After all, isn't one of the benefits of PBT the ability to have more then one color dye-subliminated into the plastic?

[dorkvader]

Seems like more trouble then it's worth. After all, isn't one of the benefits of PBT the ability to have more then one color dye-subliminated into the plastic?

I believe that's due to the porosity. ABS is less porous, so dyesub is more difficult (I imagine)

I'm interested in doubleshot PBT, too. I await the result.

[MMB]

TG3 Electronics BL82 Keyboard uses double-shot PBT for their backlit keyboards. So yes, it's possible. Finding a company to produce them, on the other hand, is nearly impossible.

[feng]

KBC is still working on it. Hopefully it will come out by the end of this year? :/

[dorkvader]

TG3 Electronics BL82 Keyboard uses double-shot PBT for their backlit keyboards. So yes, it's possible. Finding a company to produce them, on the other hand, is nearly impossible.

Not exactly, they use lasered PBT for the top, and a skirt is shot around it. This is nowhere near the level of detail we'd need for "true" PBT doubleshots. Moulding a skirt onto the to of a keycap/stem is relatively easy be comparison.

I hope KBC will be able to make it work out.

I wonder if there are any other plastics that are good like PBT or POM, and possible to 2-shot mould.

[The_Beast]

Couldn't they use ABS for the letter, then shoot PBT around the ABS letter/image/whatever you know what I mean?

[Djuzuh]

what would be the point?

To only have one part of the key who's shiny? ^^

[Roguemaster8]

what would be the point?

To only have one part of the key who's shiny? ^^

This is what I'm saying, the only benefit is a key that you can wear right through and still have the same legend and texture the day you put it on your board.

I still prefer the way ABS double shots look though compared to PBT.

[IvanIvanovich]

I don't care what plastic they make 2shots with, only that it happens and have better profile than SP (read as copy Cherry 100%). Go China!

[mkawa]

if KBC can gain the ability to double shot anything, ABS or PBT, it will change the market for doubleshots significantly in a good way, period. hope this works out.

[phetto]

Doesnt deck have ds pbt?

[MMB]

if KBC can gain the ability to double shot anything, ABS or PBT, it will change the market for doubleshots significantly in a good way, period. hope this works out.

Do not like OEM profile keycaps

[dorkvader]

Doesnt deck have ds pbt?

From above:

TG3 Electronics BL82 Keyboard uses double-shot PBT for their backlit keyboards. So yes, it's possible. Finding a company to produce them, on the other hand, is nearly impossible.

Not exactly, they use lasered PBT for the top, and a skirt is shot around it. This is nowhere near the level of detail we'd need for "true" PBT doubleshots. Moulding a skirt onto the to of a keycap/stem is relatively easy by comparison.

I hope KBC will be able to make it work out.

I wonder if there are any other plastics that are good like PBT or POM, and possible to 2-shot mould.

The only thing I'd like to amend is that the TG3/Deck keycaps wight be dyesub. I'm not 100% sure if they are dyesub or lasered. They look lasered to me.