Author Topic: New keycap makers, a few problems.  (Read 1586 times)

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Offline gloyz

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  • Location: Northern California
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New keycap makers, a few problems.
« on: Sun, 20 September 2015, 17:30:27 »
Hi all! We are a family of glass blowers that have recently taken on the challenge of making key caps (Not an easy transition despite TONS of mold making knowledge already in place! MUCH respect to all the makers here!!) We are getting very close to some finished pieces but have run into a few hiccups, that we thought we would see if anyone here might be willing to share a bit of advice on. We are currently pouring the caps out of Urethane resins, and initially getting great results, but the last few pours have started getting bubbles all of a sudden. We think we have the change in environmental conditions narrowed down to an increased humidity in the last few days corresponding with the bubbles appearing, but have been running dehumidifiers in a cabinet with the caps while they cure. We have also tried heating the molds before use with somewhat better success but still have a bit of a problem.  Are we missing something major or do we just need to keep playing with the humidity factor?
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Offline Oobly

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Re: New keycap makers, a few problems.
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 21 September 2015, 08:37:29 »
Buying more keycaps,
it really hacks my wallet,
but I must have them.

Offline gloyz

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  • Location: Northern California
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Re: New keycap makers, a few problems.
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 21 September 2015, 12:07:50 »
Oops, forgot to put that in, yes, we are doing the pressure pot also. Should we try a bit longer time in the vacuum maybe?
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Offline pkircher

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  • Location: UK
Re: New keycap makers, a few problems.
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 22 September 2015, 04:42:36 »
if the resin goes up and implodes ..its degassed ... the imploding is important .. also make sure its perfectly mixed and you keep the ratios of part a and b spot on

use resins with longer worktimes .. if they cure to fast you cant pur / degass and have a perfect finish 

talk to a chemist regarding your resins .. humidity is a pain in the neck .. the makers here leave the caps up to 24h in a mold .. so nothing for fast curing resins ..

if you are on irc .. binge has quite some knowledge , he might be able to help further.

+ post photos of your molds .. the problem might be there
« Last Edit: Tue, 22 September 2015, 04:51:31 by pkircher »

Offline gloyz

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  • Location: Northern California
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Re: New keycap makers, a few problems.
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 23 September 2015, 22:21:09 »
Thank you! Looks like humidity may be our issue then, we will keep playing with them, think we are getting them back in line somewhat, the last batch came out almost all clean!

Wow, I haven't been on IRC in years... didn't realize it was still around, been working in the 'not computer' world for too long and haven't kept up. Must re-learn so much! I'll track it down :)

Thank you again!!!
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