Bingecap & TEK collaboration - 3D printable, stem-swappable keycap

[Photekq]

Binge approached me a few weeks back, and asked if it would be possible to have me design a 2-piece (1 piece keycap body, the other piece a swappable stem) 3d printable keycap. My first reaction was : that's an awesome idea, hell yes!

Here is Binge's explanation of the concept, and what we hope this will accomplish :

The concept was to be able to use 3D printing as a means to create a master which was not only easier to cast but could give GH another way of standing out.  The key will be used as a master for making new, sharper, designs at a low cost and without the need for donor keys.  The multi-stem system would allow anyone to make one sculpture and cast it in multiple keycaps.  The goal combines 3D printing and hand crafts for more interesting, unique, designs to reach a wider audience and more keyboards. This could drive the production of member made GH keys in the future.

The keycap is based off an ESC-row Cherry doubleshot keycap. I have tried to make it an almost exact replica of the original keycap. There are still a few small changes that need to be made, but for the most part it is complete. Without further ado, here are some photos of the design :





Here is the interesting part. The swappable stem. The idea is that you can use a single keycap body in order to make keycaps for MX, alps and topre by gluing the chosen stem to the keycap base. Unfortunately, I believe buckling spring won't be possible with this design due to the complexity of its stem.

Currently I only have the MX stem done, as I do not have any topre keycaps to model it from, and I have not yet gotten around to modelling the alps stem.





The three rectangles that are cut from the square shape of the insert are to allow you to easily align the insert properly.

Thanks for looking. Please post any feedback/thoughts you have.

[bueller]

Binge approached me a few weeks back, and asked if it would be possible to have me design a 2-piece (1 piece keycap body, the other piece a swappable stem) 3d printable keycap. My first reaction was : that's an awesome idea, hell yes!

Here is Binge's explanation of the concept, and what we hope this will accomplish :

The concept was to be able to use 3D printing as a means to create a master which was not only easier to cast but could give GH another way of standing out.  The key will be used as a master for making new, sharper, designs at a low cost and without the need for donor keys.  The multi-stem system would allow anyone to make one sculpture and cast it in multiple keycaps.  The goal combines 3D printing and hand crafts for more interesting, unique, designs to reach a wider audience and more keyboards. This could drive the production of member made GH keys in the future.

The keycap is based off an ESC-row Cherry doubleshot keycap. I have tried to make it an almost exact replica of the original keycap. There are still a few small changes that need to be made, but for the most part it is complete. Without further ado, here are some photos of the design :

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Here is the interesting part. The swappable stem. The idea is that you can use a single keycap body in order to make keycaps for MX, alps and topre. Unfortunately, I believe buckling spring won't be possible with this design due to the complexity of its stem.

Currently I only have the MX stem done, as I do not have any topre keycaps to model it from, and I have not yet gotten around to modelling the alps stem.

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

The three rectangles that are cut from the square shape of the insert are to allow you to easily align the insert properly.

Thanks for looking. Please post any feedback/thoughts you have.

It's **** like this that keeps me coming back to GH time and time again. They can circle-jerk all they like over at reddit, this place gets **** DONE!

[Photekq]

It's **** like this that keeps me coming back to GH time and time again. They can circle-jerk all they like over at reddit, this place gets **** DONE!

Don't be so hasty to call reddit circlejerkers. Sure, they're 99.9% circlejerkers, but there's always that 0.1%... )

[CPTBadAss]

Um, did someone say Alps??

Can't wait to see how this project goes

[dustinhxc]

Say whattttt yes please!!!

[MOZ]

I love the idea, but I believe the BS style two piece might be better.

Also, you need to have some sort of latching mechanism, I don't think the three rectangles are enough to keep the two pieces together.

I also have some keycaps coming in from ShapeWays in a couple of different materials, let's see how those turnout.

[Photekq]

Also, you need to have some sort of latching mechanism, I don't think the three rectangles are enough to keep the two pieces together.

The idea is to glue them together, should've probably mentioned that.

[MOZ]

Ah okay, why not take this a step further and as I mentioned in previous post, make it so that it is "hot-swappable", so I can get a keycap from Binge with keycap, MX-stem, Alps stem, Topre stem, BS stem as an eg and swap as and when I wish.

If we work on this, this could well be the future standard, not for artisan keycaps, but regular keycaps as well.

Companis produce top half only, and then we can use the stem specific adapter, thus alleviating lack of keycaps for alps, topre, BS. Also, it would make it easier to produce, as there is only one standard that has to be followed.

[Binge]

There are some DIY tricks which I will be showing once pieces are made, molded, and cast.

The rectangles are guides by which to align the stem correctly each time.

BS key walls are a great way to make a two part cap, but that is for better machining than I have access.  Simply the walls are too thin for a reliable cast each and every time.  This method will produce reliable results on that you can trust me

[Shadovved]

Maybe you can make the top compatible with the BS 2-piece stems )

EDIT: like without putting a stem might make it BS compatible

[Binge]

Ah okay, why not take this a step further and as I mentioned in previous post, make it so that it is "hot-swappable", so I can get a keycap from Binge with keycap, MX-stem, Alps stem, Topre stem, BS stem as an eg and swap as and when I wish.

If we work on this, this could well be the future standard, not for artisan keycaps, but regular keycaps as well.

Companis produce top half only, and then we can use the stem specific adapter, thus alleviating lack of keycaps for alps, topre, BS. Also, it would make it easier to produce, as there is only one standard that has to be followed.

hold on, you'll be in for some surprises.

[MOZ]

I see where you guys are going with this, and maybe my idea is a little far-fetched, huge undertaking, but it could be radical and game changing. One standard for all switch types. One specific adapter per switch type.

[MKULTRA]

This wouldn't work for keycaps with stems as a part of the molds correct?  Like I can't put a Topre stem into a Cherry cap and have it work. 

[SpAmRaY]

How am I just now seeing this!

[0100010]

Make the top cap BS compatible for use with existing stems, the bottom hybrid Topre + MX, and a third Alps stem.

[dustinhxc]

All binge caps should have these so i can alternate which board I put em on

[do_Og@n]

Possible idea for this would be to add something else for the plastic to hold on to.

Maybe something like lego circles. Any extra friction that will save it from coming off to easily.