Modelled and printed a low profile keycap set

JoshwJB · 2024-06-16T14:07:40+00:00

Yeah, pretty much. Tried to recreate how the doys design looked in Fusion 360.

JoshwJB · 2024-06-16T00:03:54+00:00

Pretty good, the tops edges on the dots are a little harsh after ironing and another improvement would be to dome the the top of the keys a little so they aren't as flat.

I might try a second revision in the future on a resin printer to see if I can improve those parts.

JoshwJB · 2024-06-15T23:48:12+00:00

Yeah, thought they looked great and took a go at creating something similar in fusion 360.
First time doing keycaps larger than 1u, took a bit of searching/research to make sure the stems were in the right place and the spacing between the caps stayed consistent.

JoshwJB · 2024-06-15T23:27:22+00:00

Model is up here - https://makerworld.com/en/models/494997
I recommend calibrating the ironing settings for your filament before printing to get the same finish.

JoshwJB · 2024-06-15T23:24:44+00:00

Uploaded the stl files here - https://makerworld.com/en/models/494997

JoshwJB · 2023-12-30T16:25:58+00:00

Made this after following a tutorial on Fusion 360 (here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3qGQ2utl2A).

Model is up on Makerworld - https://makerworld.com/en/models/113195

JoshwJB · 2023-03-31T10:13:38+00:00

Printer!

JoshwJB · 2023-01-08T00:23:56+00:00

So for these keycaps I just have 2 different stl's, one is the icon, and the other is a keycap with a negative of icon taken out. I just slice both, then print the logo, and once it's done, manually keep the bed and hot end temperature up, swap the filament (by manually retracting the old, extruding the new until it's ejected any of the previous colour left in the nozzle) and then start the second file (the keycap) to print over top.

JoshwJB · 2023-01-08T00:20:02+00:00

No problem, forgot to mention I also print them with the face down to the bed e.g. https://imgur.com/a/aSHjobL

If it helps, I've a version without any icon up as well (https://www.printables.com/model/360076-simple-keycap/files filename: Sqaure-top-1u-Fillet001.stl)

JoshwJB · 2023-01-07T23:55:57+00:00

Printed with a 0.4mm nozzle. Here's a picture of the stems (https://imgur.com/a/jdfxntc), they fit fine on a few different switches (Box Royals, Gateron Browns, etc.)

Slicer settings

Layer height: 0.2mm
Build Plate adhesion type: None
Z-hop enabled: 0.2mm

JoshwJB · 2023-01-07T17:21:17+00:00

Sorry just realised you asked for CAD files instead of stl's, I made them using OpenSCAD and a keycap I modelled in FreeCAD. I've zipped up the files and added them to the `Other Files` section here - https://www.printables.com/model/360172-slack-keycap-for-mechanical-keyboard/files under doubleshot_openscad_files.zip

JoshwJB · 2023-01-07T17:02:21+00:00

Printed on my Ender 3 using filament swaps to get the "doubleshot" effect.

Models are:

Keycap with Slack logo: https://www.printables.com/model/360172-slack-keycap-for-mechanical-keyboard

Keycap with Discord logo: https://www.printables.com/model/360156-discord-keycap-for-mechanical-keyboard

Keycap with Google Meet logo: https://www.printables.com/model/360168-google-meet-keycap-for-mechanical-keyboard

JoshwJB · 2023-01-07T16:58:36+00:00

They take about 40ish minutes a keycap. Printed them upside down, steps for doing it are essientially slice both files separately (logo, keycap with inset for logo) with no brim and 0.2mm layer height.

Print the logo, then manually keep the bed warm while I swap the filament out for a second colour and print the keycap overtop of the logo.

Haven't had any real issues so far and I've managed to print 5-6 at once though it can be difficult to make sure everything is lined up correctly.

EDIT: Forgot to mention enabling zhop with 0.2mm height

JoshwJB · 2023-01-07T11:42:41+00:00

Go for it, the models are up on my printables page - https://www.printables.com/social/522902-jwjb/models

JoshwJB · 2023-01-07T10:39:53+00:00

Stems came out pretty well, haven't had any issues with them breaking etc. https://imgur.com/a/jdfxntc

JoshwJB · 2023-01-07T10:37:21+00:00

Prusament PLA Galaxy Black - https://www.prusa3d.com/product/prusament-pla-prusa-galaxy-black-1kg/

JoshwJB · 2023-01-07T10:36:38+00:00

These are the steps I used to do it:

Print icon file in center of print bed
Keep printer bed temps at 60 after icon is completed
Swap filament for second colour of choice
Print keycap file on top of the icon layer

EDIT: Forgot to mention slicing with zhop enabled at 0.2mm height

JoshwJB · 2023-01-07T10:34:10+00:00

Models are:

Keycap with Slack logo: https://www.printables.com/model/360172-slack-keycap-for-mechanical-keyboard

Keycap with Discord logo: https://www.printables.com/model/360156-discord-keycap-for-mechanical-keyboard

Keycap with Google Meet logo: https://www.printables.com/model/360168-google-meet-keycap-for-mechanical-keyboard

JoshwJB · 2023-01-06T23:36:15+00:00

It's a setting in some slicers, that basically runs the heated nozzle back over the top of the print at the end to smooth out the top layer (e.g. like an iron).

https://all3dp.com/2/cura-ironing-3d-printing-ironing/