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Final revisions on the DIY keybed

A project log for NanoEgg Music Synthesizer

A powerful little music synthesizer with a classic look!

t-b-trzepaczT. B. Trzepacz 03/30/2017 at 00:200 Comments

Even though I have finally found a source for buying keybeds (they keyboard part of the keyboard is called the keybed) for the NanoEgg synth, I still kinda need the previous prototype to work before I start over on the new one, so I still did a bit of work on the keyboard.

One of the greatest problems was that the stems on the front of the keys that keep the keys lined up straight would break off easily due to the "grain" of 3d prints. Frequently, they would break before they were even done printing!

This was especially a problem for the black keys, which had no flat side to lay on the 3d printer bed.

Additionally, because there was no flat side to orient down, there had to be a lot of support material which was hard to get off cleanly, and the "button pusher" plastic on the bottom was frequently not really where I needed it.

This would frequently cause keys to break off in the process of cutting away the support material.

I tried many techniques to fix this, from filling in most of the key body, to printing at an angle, to using superglue to reinforce the questionable joints.

Finally, my brain started working.

If the grain of the material is causing the stems to break, then I need to print the stems with the grain as a separate part.

If the button pushers on the bottom are deformed by being on the bottom, then they should be printed as a separate part.

If the part has too much support material due to not resting flat on the bed, then it should be modified to rest flat on the bed.

I made the changes. Friction fit stems and button pusher elements, and the key bottom made flush with the bed.

Still some messy bottom from removing support material on the mounting block, but not so bad there as before.

The button pushers have a tight friction fit, but can be inserted with pliers.

The friction fit for the hooks was a little loose, so I used some super glue to keep them tight/

And, finally, we have a working thing!

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