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TRIFL alpha keycap profile

The TRIFL alpha is a new keycap profile by rutomoda.

KBD.news
Published May 8, 2021
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TRIFL alpha keycaps are ased on a triangular top shape and sculpted to fit the Cherry MX stem. The profile is uniform for all rows like DSA or KAM.

The project is currently in IC stage, keycaps will be 3D printed using Multi Jet Fusion printing method with PA12 also known as Nylon 12.

(PS: The case in the picture is an unfinished 3D printed prototype case called Fetlon.)

Due to the process using black ink, the only available colors in this run are grainy gray and black. All keycaps are completely black on the inside, regardless of surface color.

Gray keycaps will become more black during use. Black keycaps will become slightly more grayish. Aside from that the nylon is extremely durable.

Costs is the reason for Multi Jet Fusion. Traditional nylon SLS could do color, but is more expensive. Resin printed SLA was used for for prototypes and according to rutomoda there is way too many issues for high volume production:

  • 1) Getting warping under control is an art form.
  • 2) Even if that gets managed, resin likes to cling to the insides of the stems due to surface tension, making post processing extremely cumbersome.
  • 3) The resins used were way too brittle and did not survive more than a couple of couplings to a switch before breaking.
  • 4) Even if a resin was found with the exact properties needed, it is just way too expensive to produce more than prototypes or mold masters with resin printing.

    • Source: original GH IC thread

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    Published on Sat 8th May 2021. Featured in KBD #25 (source).

    Tags: keycap3D

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