The RisKey Switch: Customizable Contactless Magnetic Key Switch (print reliable and SMOOTH key switches!)

prusaprinters

Mechanical keyboards and key switches can beexpensive and what happens when justone breaks? You have to throw out the whole keyboard! What if you could print your own key switches instead for like $0.04 each? When one wears out (after a super long time) you can just print another andhot swap it out! Wouldn't that be awesome? Well now you can! Not only can you print your own key switches with this design it'sentirely parametric. Want 2mm of travel? 6mm? It's up to you! What aboutthe feel of the switch? Well that's up to you too becausethe spring is also 3D printed! You can pick the precise actuation force you desire! And if you don't like it you can swap the spring out with a new one just by removing the keycap and replacing the spring. No need to take everything apart! See it in action: <a href="https://gfycat.com/hideousfearfulindri">https://gfycat.com/hideousfearfulindri</a> Yes, it supports Cherry MX stem keycaps! It even fits into Cherry MX-style switch plate cutouts/holes! Though, that's parametric so you can make the switch whatever size/shape you want! This key switch is still a work in progress but it should be usabletoday if you're willing to hand-wire some reed switches. I'm currently in the process of learning how to design a PCB that incorporates hall effect switches so eventually that'll be superior but there's nothing stopping you from taking advantage of this key switchright now. PLEASE REPORT YOUR EXPERIMENTS! There's basically an infinite number of parametric combinations of this thing so I'd love to hear what people are discovering. UPDATE 20200310: Uploaded version 1.1 of the .scad files which now generate slightly shorter switches and fixes the issue with PrusaPrinters.org COMPLETELY IDIOTIC FILE RENAMING (I renamed the files that it didn't like). There's also lots of minor improvements here and there... You can see what they are in the Changelog at the bottom of the .scad <h3>Print instructions</h3>All parts can be printed in 0.2mm resolution though if you print the switch sheath + stem in .15mm layer height that can afford you slightly lower STEM_TOLERANCE values. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND PRINTING THE SWITCH PARTS IN CLEAR PETG. PETG has--so far--produced the smoothest switches and CLEAR PETG makes it so that an LED underneath the switch will shine all the way through to the keycap! Really brightly too! THE SPRING MUST BE PRINTED IN NINJAFLEX (or other suitable rubber-band-like 85A-ish TPU/TPE filament). I've included two springs: One with a 2.5mm sidewall and a 3.0mm sidewall. The 2.5mm one should be about 52g of actuation force while the 3.0mm one comes in around 68g. You'll want to customize that though and print a whole bunch with different settings to createyour perfect switch. Switch Assembly The switch body just snaps together but I made a video in case you're confused: <a href="https://youtu.be/q-7IY5NExhA">https://youtu.be/q-7IY5NExhA</a> Don't forget to check the poles of the magnet before you insert it into the stem (if using a hall effect sensor; if using reed switch that doesn't matter)! The springs will probably need a bit of "cleaning" after printing so I made a video about how to do that as well as how to insert them into the keycaps here: <a href="https://youtu.be/-DfdbclxIX0">https://youtu.be/-DfdbclxIX0</a> Required Materials You need the following to print and use this switch: <ul> <li>Ninjaflex (or other 85A TPU/TPE filament).</li> <li>3x1.5mm magnets (or something similar in size--it's parametric so it can be adjusted!). FYI: I ordered 900 of this kind of magnet off AliExpress for like $10 :D</li> <li>Either hall effect sensors or reed switches. For hand-wiring I recommend reed switches because wiring them is essentially identical to a normal keyboard.</li> </ul> NOTE: You don't need super short reed switches but those are easier to fit under the switch body. If you just get the reed switch close (even if just close to the leads!) that's usually enough for the magnet to make it work.

Download Model from prusaprinters

With this file you will be able to print The RisKey Switch: Customizable Contactless Magnetic Key Switch (print *reliable* and SMOOTH key switches!) with your 3D printer. Click on the button and save the file on your computer to work, edit or customize your design. You can also find more 3D designs for printers on The RisKey Switch: Customizable Contactless Magnetic Key Switch (print *reliable* and SMOOTH key switches!).