How to Create 3D Printed Keycaps for Your Keyboard
4 min
- The difference between 3D printed keycaps and traditional keycaps
- How to 3D print your own keycaps
If you have used a mechanical keyboard, you may have removed and installed keycaps. With 3D printing, people can design personalized keycaps and print them out to install on the keyboard, giving your keyboard a brand new look. This article will introduce how to design and print your own 3D printed keycaps.
Source:deigge, https://www.printables.com/model/818377-flat-xda-icon-keycaps
The difference between 3D printed keycaps and traditional keycaps
Customization
3D printed keycaps: You can design unique shapes, complex patterns, and even customize logos or textures to your preferences.
Traditional keycaps: Usually limited to pre-made designs and colors, requiring a lot of modifications to personalize.
Production process
3D printed keycaps: Usually use FDM or SLA technology, SLA can provide more details than FDM.
Traditional keycaps: Use injection molding for mass production, which is cost-effective for large-scale production.
Material selection
3D printed keycaps: Can be made of materials such as PLA, ABS, PETG, nylon or resin.
Traditional keycaps: Usually made of ABS or PBT plastic.
Product Quality
3D printed keycaps: Require precise measurements to fit the switch, and durability depends on the material and print quality. Resin prints are more fragile but have rich details, while ABS and PLA prints have medium strength. 3D printed keycaps need to be post-processed, including sanding, painting, and polishing.
Traditional keycaps: Usually stronger due to industrial-grade materials and manufacturing processes.
Cost
3D printed keycaps: Good for designing individual special keycaps, especially if you have a home printer, where one kilogram of filament can print hundreds of keycaps.
Traditional keycaps: It is more affordable to buy standard sets, but custom designs can be expensive due to tooling and production costs.
How to 3D print your own keycaps
Step 1: Design the keycaps
Designing the keycaps is key to ensuring they fit and function correctly. First, use calipers to measure the original keycaps on your keyboard, including height, depth, stem size, and wall thickness. Most mechanical keyboards use Cherry MX compatible stems, which require a cross groove at the bottom of the keycap. Then, use 3D modeling software such as Fusion 360, Blender, etc. to design, and ensure that the keycap wall thickness is between 1.5mm and 2mm to balance flexibility and durability. For a better typing feel, you can add a slight curvature or texture to the surface. If you are new to modeling, you can download keycap design files from websites such as makerworld, Cults3D, Thingiverse, etc., which have a lot of interesting and unique customized keycaps.
Step 2: Adjust the printer settings
Adjust the 3D printer settings to adapt to flexible filaments for the best printing results. Set the extruder temperature to 200–230°C, the bed temperature to 40–60°C to ensure good adhesion of the filament, and the printing speed to 20–30mm/s to prevent the filament from warping. For a smooth surface, a 0.1mm layer height is recommended, and an infill ratio of 10–20% is recommended for a soft key feel. To avoid curling, apply a glue stick or build plate bonding aid before printing, and disable the cooling fan until the first few layers are complete.
Step 3: Post-process the keycaps
Post-process the keycaps to ensure they are smooth and fit securely to the keyboard switch stems. Once printed, use a utility knife or sandpaper to trim excess filament and smooth out rough edges. Test the keycaps on the switch stems and make minor adjustments as needed to achieve the best fit. The keycaps can also be painted with flexible paint to give them a unique look.
Step 4: Assemble and Test
When the keycaps are complete, install them on the keyboard and test them thoroughly to ensure they are functioning properly. If a loose fit is found, the stem slot size in the design file can be adjusted and reprinted. For warping issues, check the bed bonding for consistency and reduce the print speed. If there are surface imperfections, the uniformity of the layers can be improved by sanding or adjusting the printer settings. After these steps, you can create a set of keycaps that are both practical and personalized.
If you want to try making your own 3D printed keycaps, but lack high-quality equipment or material support, you might want to learn about the professional 3D printing services provided by JLC3DP. Whether it is a simple standard keycap or a full-color resin keycap with a complex design, JLC3DP can complete it and deliver it directly to your home. Learn more and make your keyboard unique from now on!
Keep Learning
15 Tips for Fast 3D Printing
3D printing can be time-consuming, but there are some strategies to speed up the process without sacrificing too much quality. Below are 15 practical tips to speed up your 3D printing process while maintaining decent quality. These tips are especially useful for prototyping or when speed is a priority: 1. Increase Layer Height ● Why: Thicker layers mean fewer layers overall, reducing print time. ● How: Adjust the layer height in your slicer settings. For example, go from 0.2mm to 0.3mm or higher. ● Tr......
How to prevent 3d printing warping problems
3d printing warping is one of the most common problems faced by 3d printing enthusiasts. Especially when printing larger models, the printed parts initially adhere to the print bed, but then the edges of the prints lift off the print bed and curl, causing the model to deform and waste material. The main reason for warping is that plastic materials cool and shrink when printed, which causes deformation. This article will analyze the causes of warping and use suggestions to prevent 3d printing warping t......
How to 3D Print Wood
3D printing has revolutionized the manufacturing industry by allowing the creation of complex and customized objects. While 3D printing with plastic and metal has been widely adopted, the ability to 3D print with wood has opened up new possibilities for creating aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly products. In this article, we will explore the process of 3D printing with wood and the techniques involved in achieving the desired results. Understanding Wood Filament The key to 3D printin......
Design for Manufacturing (DFM): 7 Principles, Process & Practical Guide
Key Takeaways Design for Manufacturing (DFM) is a design strategy that connects product requirements with manufacturing capabilities. A successful DFM approach requires choosing the right process, simplifying designs, reducing unnecessary complexity, and considering production volume from the beginning. Different manufacturing methods have unique design considerations. By applying DFM principles early, engineers can reduce redesign risks, improve product quality, shorten production cycles, and create ......
3MF VS STL: Which File Format Is Better for 3D Printing?
In the additive manufacturing industry, the STL format has served as the de facto standard for decades. However, the rapid evolution of modern 3D printing has highlighted its technical limitations. Consequently, the 3MF format—backed by an industry consortium including Microsoft, HP, and Ultimaker—has emerged as a robust, next-generation alternative. When exporting a 3D model from CAD or preparing it within a slicer, understanding the technical nuances of 3MF VS STL is critical. This article provides ......
Design for Additive Manufacturing: A Practical DfAM Guide
Key Takeaways DfAM is not DFM: Design for additive manufacturing focuses on exploiting AM's geometric freedom rather than simply simplifying parts. Build orientation matters: Orientation affects strength, surface finish, supports, thermal distortion, and overall cost. Design for the process: Wall thickness, overhangs, holes, clearances, and tolerances must match the specific AM technology and material. Complexity can reduce cost: Part consolidation, lattices, and internal channels can deliver value th......