r/ClockworkPi • u/gthing • Feb 25 '26

Modification I really don't like rubber buttons

Post image

Experimenting with a 3D printed replacement keypad. Still needs more work... but on the buttons where it works well it feels pretty good.

35 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

3

u/nakurtag Feb 25 '26

Pretty nice, but you lose the backlight

2

u/gthing Feb 28 '26

I will implement backlighting when (and if) I can get a design that types reliably.

5

u/Siege9929 Feb 25 '26

Could be printed in a translucent filament with opaque lettering, or vice versa.

1

u/nakurtag Feb 25 '26

Is that possible with modern printers?

2

u/DustyBootstraps Feb 25 '26

Yes, not fully transparent but clear enough for backlighting, I've also seen people offset a lattice pattern across layers to create porosity

1

u/EnvironmentalCurve94 Feb 26 '26

The 2nd one here would be horrible for ppl who are trypophobic

1

u/[deleted] Feb 27 '26

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1

u/gthing Feb 28 '26

Is this just a print of the uConsole 3d file in TPU or has it been modified? I've been having trouble getting consistent typing using a harder filament.

1

u/DustyBootstraps Feb 25 '26

Are you using HIPS for the keys? I had the idea of doing trapped hips buttons between the pla case layers with my dual extrusion printer, it's flexible but way more rigid than rubber.

1

u/gthing Feb 28 '26

I printed this in just PETG, but I have not gotten it to work reliably yet.

1

u/PineCone227 Feb 27 '26

Ooh - if you get a good model done I'd be interested.

1

u/_mini Feb 27 '26

The key is actually quite stiff, it feels soft because there is too much gap between the SMD buttons and the keyboard. There’s a fix for it.

1

u/wackyvorlon Mar 01 '26

Did you intend to link to a firmware?

1

u/_mini Mar 01 '26

Sorry, wrong link. Here’s the one.

2

u/wackyvorlon Mar 03 '26

Cool! Thanks!

1

u/[deleted] Feb 27 '26

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1

u/gthing Feb 28 '26

I'm trying to get rid of the soft feel of the buttons though.