CNCing Clear Acrylic Key Caps for Matias and Other ALPS Switches (Maybe Cherry)

[Zekromtor]

Update: Rounded Squares w/ Legends


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There is simply no good place to get ALPS key caps, and that is a shame because there are some great ALPS switches out there. This pic shows my 1/2" round clear acrylic keycap inserted into a Matias switch, but they will work with any other ALPS stem style switch. Being so low profile, this key cap effectively reduces the amount of play in the switch when measured at the top of the key. There is no play between the key cap and the switch.

I'm wondering if there are many people out there that might be interested in buying this type of key cap. I can machine them in various shapes and sizes for any nonstabilized key, though I'm unsure if I'd be willing to engrave them with legends or not... that'd be a lot of extra work. Could possibly try cherries as well, but I'd have to know people were interested since I have no use for them.

[Pacifist]

Interested

fyi, Moz made some acrylic caps with legends, but he's never going to do another run because it was so difficult.

[Zekromtor]

Any preference on the shape/size?

[Techno Trousers]

Can you do those sculpted or spherical, or do they need to be flat? How about (solid) colors?

[Zekromtor]

No crazy 3D sculpting. The top needs to lie flat with my current method, so the only potential is for some engraving or shallow machining (ie that typical typewriter shape like in your avatar). Legends or relatively simple designs.

Any color that acrylic comes in, I can do. Tests with both extruded and cast acrylic have been successful. The ones in the image are extruded acrylic, which is what I prefer.

[dorkvader]

I think a flat keycap that's more square (maybe with radiused edges to account for some wobble) would be pretty nice, too. It'd make it a lot easier to press multiples at once if you want that for gaming.

I see these as some of the ideal keycaps for backlighting.

[Pacifist]

I think a flat keycap that's more square (maybe with radiused edges to account for some wobble) would be pretty nice, too. It'd make it a lot easier to press multiples at once if you want that for gaming.

I see these as some of the ideal keycaps for backlighting.

O****

This+matias+cnc acrylic case+surface RGB=best light show ever

[Zekromtor]

New pic added to top post.
I made some keys with a basic large legend and placed them on a board so you can see the spacing. The ADF keys are a .64" square with rounded edges.

[Paranoid]

Cool idea! Have you tested the strength of the stems? In molded alps cap I tested I noticed the strength in the stem was not so strong because it's so tiny. In the matias switches I broke some off because of the applied force to get the caps off. Older switches were a bit looser.

[Zekromtor]

This acrylic is far stronger than the typical plastic used for keys. It's a tight fit, but I have not come close to breaking any of these, and yes I have experienced breaking stems of normal key caps before which can be a pain having to open the switch up to remove the embedded plastic at the bottom of the stem hole. I find the best way to remove the caps without breaking them is to pull them straight off, not to use any back and forth motion like some people recommend. With the acrylic, you can probably safely use either method.

[technomancy]

I could be interested in using these for the kits I'm selling (http://atreus.technomancy.us) if you're interested in pricing roughly comparably with what I get my MX caps from SP for(http://keyshop.pimpmykeyboard.com/products/full-keysets/dsa-blank-sets-1) but if you're more interested in targeting folks doing one-offs that might be a different price point.

[technomancy]

Sorry to bring this back up again, but would you care to share what kind of CNC machine was used to make this?

[Zekromtor]

Sorry I never saw your first bump. No plans on sellling them as one offs or otherwise. Just no time to fiddle with it now and the material price doesn't make much sense.

I was using a Tormach PCNC 1100, but acrylic isn't hard to machine. You could use something a lot cheaper and lighter probably.