3D Printed Keyboard: 3D Models to Download and 3D Print

3D printing can be applied in various areas from creating prototypes, to now even creating and customizing computing devices like keyboards, keycaps and even entire keyboard body. 3D printing technology offers endless possibilities for creating unique designs that fit an individual's style and ergonomic preferences. This article will explore the 9 best models for 3D-printed keyboards that you can download and print at home. 

Since keyboards have been around for some time, various styles and layouts have developed to accommodate users of all types. Both membrane and mechanical keyboards have fans. Sizing might also vary from person to person because of differences in hand size. Creating your keyboard from scratch might help you obtain the perfect setup. While there are many suppliers of individual components for building bespoke keyboards, 3D printing affords designers unprecedented freedom in terms of aesthetics and tactile feedback.

However, tailored keyboards may become rather expensive. The final price tag fluctuates widely according to your choice of make, size, and level of customization. There are reports of a range from $200 to $600, while some claim success for far less. In our list of 9 most favored 3D-printed keyboard projects, some are more complicated than others.

Before going into detail about 3D-printed keyboards, let’s look into the best 3D printing software that you can use to create 3D models of keyboards.

Best Software for Creating 3D Models of Keyboard

There are a lot of 3D modeling software that you can use to create ready-to-print designs of your keyboard and SelfCAD is a good example. SelfCAD believes that 3D CAD software should be user-friendly and intuitive while providing advanced tools for designing, sculpting, and preparing models for 3D printing. The goal is to make the design process smooth and barrier-free while enabling maximum creativity.

Unlike traditional CAD software that takes a lot of time to learn, SelfCAD is designed to be simple to learn and accessible to everyone, regardless of their expertise or background. It has online and downloadable versions to enable you to work anywhere, anytime. You can 3D model, sculpt, render, and even slice using the online slicer without switching to another program. Learn how to slice your 3D models in SelfCAD in the video below.

The software also has an extensive set of resources that you can use to learn how the program works. That is, YouTube videos, manual guides, SelfCAD academy, and interactive tutorials.

3D Printed Keyboard: 9 Best Options

1. PocketCHIP "Mechanical" Keyboard

Isn't it adorable? For use with the Pocket Chip, this is a model of a single-board computer originally produced by Next Thing Co. that has a keyboard, an LCD, connectors, and more. The total number of keys is 52, less than a typical keyboard's 100. It also has a D-pad, which can navigate menus or control games. The keys and the Pocket Chip faceplate make up this project. The construction log mentions that straightened paper clips secure the keys. There have been almost 7,500 downloads of this project over two Makes and two Remixes on Thingiverse.

2. The 60% Keyboard

Its small size belies its extensive capabilities. While building a mechanical keyboard from scratch may be challenging for some owing to its compact size, a wealth of resources are available. In addition to the microcontroller, PCBs, and keyboard diodes, this project requires nine 3D-printed parts. The comment area of the relevant Reddit thread has a link to a DropBox containing all of the print files. In addition, a different Reddit thread is linked to in the comments, which provides wiring diagrams for the project. A commenter speculated that the cost of acquiring the 3D printing pieces might be between $30 and $45. However, the actual price, including electronics, is not specified.

3. Mechanical Keyboard: Mechagodzilla

This keyboard's mechanical layout and several keys are typical. Lacking a row of function keys allows the keyboard to be narrower, thus reducing its overall footprint. The components list and wiring instructions can be found on the Cults page for the project, which is easy to put together. The ability to solder is necessary. Over 2,000 views and 66 downloads of this keyboard have been on Cults3D.

4. Split Keyboard Plate & Case

The two separate modules set this keyboard apart from the others on this list. It's just a keyboard split in two that's been hooked together. Its novel layout permits a compact form factor and flexible angling to suit individual preferences. There are three printed files total: one each for the left and right bottom halves and a single top case file. There must be more electrical parts included. The keyboard's project page has further details. There have been almost 7,000 downloads of this project, 4 Makes, and 2 Remixes on Thingiverse.

5. Mechanical Keyboard - SiCK-68

The SiCK-68 is a versatile full-size keyboard ideal for business or play. It's a decent size, includes all the essential keys (barring a row of function keys), and can be taken almost everywhere. The files for this project contain the keycaps and the four-piece keyboard frame. If you need to learn how to use it, the wiring diagram will help. The most significant thing is that the total cost of the job is predicted to be less than fifty dollars. The SiCK-68 has had tremendous success. So far, there have been over a thousand comments, in addition to 55 Makes and 31 Remixes on Thingiverse.

6. Mechanical Keyboard - SiCK-PAD

Once assembled, this PLA keypad is a sight to see. This SiCK keypad was made to complement the SiCK-60, a 3D-printable keyboard that shares its name. This abbreviation, followed by a number denoting the keyboard's version, is used by the inventor. This prototype is a compact mechanical keypad with only seventeen buttons, making it possible to do fundamental arithmetic operations. Its miniaturized and lightweight design makes it convenient to carry everywhere. 

Due to its compact nature, this SiCK keypad may serve as an entertaining entry point into DIY keyboards. The layout is included in only two files—a top and a bottom half. It makes it easy to set up and add new keys. So far, over 5,000 downloads of this keypad and 9 different Makes have been documented. You can find this fantastic model on Thingiverse.

7. Left-Hand Gaming Keyboard

We have good news for those who play games with their left hands! For gamers, this is the perfect one-handed keyboard. It needs many keys and only has the ones you'll use in-game. It does, however, include a thumb-operated side switch. The intricacy of this project is moderate, and it should be straightforward to print. 

Five individual components come together to form the keyboard and wrist rest. Suppose you already have all the necessary components and some experience with keyboard wiring. It should be a fun project since the designer used an old keyboard control board to construct this version. Few Makes and Remixes were used in this project, and there have been over 5,000 downloads on Thingiverse.

8. Dactyl Keyboard

The rounded form of this keyboard makes it stand out from others. The keyboard is divided into many separate sections. For comfort and ease of use, the surface is also concave. Two files are dedicated to each module, for a total of four. Since you'll only need to remove one piece to have access to the keys, this should make wiring it a little less of a hassle. 

Another manufacturer reported a successful print with a layer height of 0.4 mm and active supports. Over 12,000 people have downloaded this project, which comprises 6 Makes and 4 Remixes. You can find this round-shaped keyboard on Thingiverse and GitHub.

9. 3D Printed Arduino Keyboard

This keyboard's RGB illumination is incredible. The room is attractive even in the dark. Although it is on the trickier end of the scale, this keyboard is fantastic in its own right because of its customizable RGB illumination. It was planned as a moderately sized keyboard, and the final product is sleek and sophisticated. 

You'll need an Arduino and LEDs to construct an RGB keyboard. Before attempting this, you need to know how to solder and have a basic understanding of electricity. More information about this effort, including download links for the many files, is available in a video posted on YouTube. You may also see a video of the prototype's creation on YouTube, uploaded by its creator.

3D Printed Keyboards: Customizable Comfort at Your Fingertips

With the ability to print designs at home, you can create unique and customized keyboards that fit your needs and style. The use of high-quality materials in 3D printing ensures durability and longevity, making these keyboards a valuable asset. If you would like to create your own 3D models, you can use SelfCAD as it’s easy to use and powerful at the same time.

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