Lego should make keycaps

[Snarfangel]

Supporting this argument: They've worked with ABS since 1963, Lego molds have a tolerance of less than two micrometers (they don't connect if they are out of whack), and they've produced 400 billion blocks over five decades.

PLUS they are super-durable, non-toxic, and have these cool colors:

(Plus other colors, I think, including metallic ones.)

And the larger boxes of blocks cost just a bit more than a penny apiece, so you know they could have a healthy margin with keycaps.

Just $75.99 on Amazon.

(Seriously, they would be awesome. I still prefer PBT, but some of those translucent Lego bricks would be perfect for backlit keyboards.)

[Joey Quinn]

Do you collect the 2x4 blocks? That's actually pretty sick, there's some cool colors in that collection.

[Data]

That's great and all, but can they do doubleshot injection?

As far as I know the closest thing to legends LEGO does is a form of pad printing.

[rowdy]

But would their keycaps be MX or Topre compatible?  Or would they require some sort of custom Lego stem?

[Oobly]

Never seen a doubleshot piece of Lego, though.

But would their keycaps be MX or Topre compatible?  Or would they require some sort of custom Lego stem?

Modular, that's what Lego's all about. So a standard keycap top with removable / replaceble stems in both Topre and MX... Maybe even Alps and Model M stems somewhere down the line. Lots of wishful thinking in those last 2 sentences.

Maybe one of the new clone companies like Mega Bloks would be interested in the idea, as long as you can show there's a big enough market. Which I think is the problem. There just aren't as many keyboard enthusiasts out there as there are Lego enthusiasts.

[LXXXIX]

Never seen a doubleshot piece of Lego, though.

But would their keycaps be MX or Topre compatible?  Or would they require some sort of custom Lego stem?

Modular, that's what Lego's all about. So a standard keycap top with removable / replaceble stems in both Topre and MX... Maybe even Alps and Model M stems somewhere down the line. Lots of wishful thinking in those last 2 sentences.

Maybe one of the new clone companies like Mega Bloks would be interested in the idea, as long as you can show there's a big enough market. Which I think is the problem. There just aren't as many keyboard enthusiasts out there as there are Lego enthusiasts.

Ewwwww Mega Bloks. That's almost like buying those knock-off clacks. )

[FoC_Tow]

I think you got something mixed up there guys... xD
Wouldn't making Lego Keycaps be kinda against the hole spirit of Legos to be creative and work with the limit blocks that you have available? =)

Instead of relying on Lego to make Keycaps, the real challenge is to create your own using Lego Bricks...





Website
Youtube


On a serious note tho, that Lego Keyboard build looks amazing imo and I figured this was a good opportunity to share this.
He actually made a complete case and even created his own Lego sliders/stems for all switches.

Except for Lego parts he only used a rubber dome pcb, and with the power of legos turned it into some mechanical semi topre style madness. 

[Snarfangel]

Do you collect the 2x4 blocks? That's actually pretty sick, there's some cool colors in that collection.

I wish! I had a few Lego sets when I was a kid, but that was four decades ago. I bet the blocks I used are still in good shape, though.  )

But Lego is the master of plastic, and I think they could do good things with keycaps.

[feng]

How about these? 

[Fire Brand]

How about these? 
(Attachment Link)

Tell me when feng I have my money ready O.O

[atlas3686]

Never seen a doubleshot piece of Lego, though.

But would their keycaps be MX or Topre compatible?  Or would they require some sort of custom Lego stem?

Modular, that's what Lego's all about. So a standard keycap top with removable / replaceble stems in both Topre and MX... Maybe even Alps and Model M stems somewhere down the line. Lots of wishful thinking in those last 2 sentences.

Maybe one of the new clone companies like Mega Bloks would be interested in the idea, as long as you can show there's a big enough market. Which I think is the problem. There just aren't as many keyboard enthusiasts out there as there are Lego enthusiasts.

They did it recently for the Simpsons mini figs, or at least it seems so.

[burn1nsun]

Legos are fun as heck but they are expensive

[FoC_Tow]

How about these? 
(Attachment Link)

Looks sweet Feng!
It would be awesome if the nibs are actually lego compatible so you can build on them... 

[jamster]

A couple of years back, there was a BBC article that covered Lego (specifically, the question of how high a tower of 2x2 Lego bricks would have to go before the bottom piece was crushed by the weight of those above it).

They tested Lego to destruction at one of the British universities, and found that it was manufactured to extremely high tolerances. The test involved a machine that applied gradually increasing pressure, and instead of cracking, the pieces would take so much pressure that they would basically melt instead. The estimated height of the theoretical tower was something like 3.5 kilometers.

So I'd guess that if Lego decided to make keycaps, they'd probably do a pretty good job of it.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-20578627

[rowdy]

A couple of years back, there was a BBC article that covered Lego (specifically, the question of how high a tower of 2x2 Lego bricks would have to go before the bottom piece was crushed by the weight of those above it).

They tested Lego to destruction at one of the British universities, and found that it was manufactured to extremely high tolerances. The test involved a machine that applied gradually increasing pressure, and instead of cracking, the pieces would take so much pressure that they would basically melt instead. The estimated height of the theoretical tower was something like 3.5 kilometers.

So I'd guess that if Lego decided to make keycaps, they'd probably do a pretty good job of it.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-20578627

That's crazy how ruthless their QA department must be!

[hking0036]

Legos are fun as heck but they are expensive

So are keyboards

[Oobly]

....

Except for Lego parts he only used a rubber dome pcb, and with the power of legos turned it into some mechanical semi topre style madness. 

Um, no he didn't. He turned a normal rubber dome board into a Lego rubber dome board. Doesn't qualify for the "mechanical" moniker.

...

They did it recently for the Simpsons mini figs, or at least it seems so.
(Attachment Link)

You're right, those pants in particular sure look doubleshot molded to me:



Very interesting. I guess it's just a matter of convincing them there's a market for them. Probably the best way to go about it is to convince them to make a Lego branded keyboard with Cherry MX switches.

[atlas3686]

....

Except for Lego parts he only used a rubber dome pcb, and with the power of legos turned it into some mechanical semi topre style madness. 

Um, no he didn't. He turned a normal rubber dome board into a Lego rubber dome board. Doesn't qualify for the "mechanical" moniker.

...

They did it recently for the Simpsons mini figs, or at least it seems so.
(Attachment Link)

You're right, those pants in particular sure look doubleshot molded to me:

Show Image

Very interesting. I guess it's just a matter of convincing them there's a market for them. Probably the best way to go about it is to convince them to make a Lego branded keyboard with Cherry MX switches.

A lego branded KB would be pretty amazing, I would probably buy it on novelty factor alone :) I think I saw them talking about the pants being a new process for lego in this video:

[jamster]

You're right, those pants in particular sure look doubleshot molded to me:

I want doubleshot pants.

[Giorgio]

So, what's the plan of action?

Convincing them seems quite impossible to me. The market for keycaps set is small. They would need to partner with someone who already makes keyboards.

[Data]

So, what's the plan of action?

Convincing them seems quite impossible to me. The market for keycaps set is small. They would need to partner with someone who already makes keyboards.

They are a toy company.  What's the incentive for them to produce keycaps?  If they manufactured some sets, they would be insanely expensive -- probably the most expensive caps ever, if made to the same standards as LEGO's other products.  Who would buy them?  LEGO spends big money on high-precision mold production.  Where is the return on that significant investment?

It doesn't hurt to ask them, but I think anyone who does so should be prepared to be laughed right out of Denmark.

[zenless]

I was swapping out my keycaps this morning before most people were in the office. Another person yells over the cube wall 'Are you playing with Legos?' .. I answered yes figuring that was less geeky.

Later on they came by to see what i was building. I think i disappointed them.

[SamFlynn]

I was swapping out my keycaps this morning before most people were in the office. Another person yells over the cube wall 'Are you playing with Legos?' .. I answered yes figuring that was less geeky.

Later on they came by to see what i was building. I think i disappointed them.

[Giorgio]

I can't imagine how being into keyboards can be considered less geeky than legos... Well, it is if all you do is swapping keycaps and lubing switches, it is 

I was swapping out my keycaps this morning before most people were in the office. Another person yells over the cube wall 'Are you playing with Legos?' .. I answered yes figuring that was less geeky.

Later on they came by to see what i was building. I think i disappointed them.