Hey, a lot of folks complained about non-manifold geometry, and for a long time I was powerless to fix it. But recently I got Windows 10 and it came with "3D Builder" which seemed to do a decent job of repairing the files! So if anybody wants to give it a shot again, I've reuploaded everything to Pinshape here: https://pinshape.com/items/7200-3d-printed-modular-synthesizer-control-keyboard

Hi,

Very excited about this, and my 8yo has just started playing piano!

But, I downloaded and unzipped and starting with the black and white keys, there is something wrong with the files - they don't slice properly...

Has anyone sucessfully printed them?  How did you get them to print?

Cris. 

I think the Windows 10 3D Builder might be able to repair and print it. I'm going to test it on that soon.
All of the other programs can't seem to handle the overlapping geometry that SketchUp created.

Bingo.  I'm not in a rush, but if you like, I'll post a set of fixed files in a week or so...

OK.  so that's not a week...  I have a set of repaired files, shall I upload them to thingiverse?

Cris.

I ran the repair and uploaded to Pinshape here: https://pinshape.com/items/7200-3d-printed-modular-synthesizer-control-keyboard
I suspect these might have funky holes, but it might work now. 

Did you get a chance to print your repair? Did it work?

Thanks! 
Me too! But I didn't find one so I made my own instead!
I based it on consumer portable keyboards from Casio, Yamaha, etc. They all seemed to use a rubber bubble sheet with metalized contacts that touch on a circuit board that matches the shape of the keys. I don't know how to fabricate that yet, so I left it as an "exercise for the reader". One could just put contact screws on the bottom of the keys to bridge connections on the circuit board for a similar idea, although the feel wouldn't be great.. Probably standard pushbuttons would be the easiest way to start. 
I have a newer, unfinished design that actually puts holes in the keys to run wires through, but it isn't ready for prime-time yet.
Please let me know how it comes out if you try to print it!

Hi

Here is one idea:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/28pcs-CHERRY-MX-Series-key-Switches-red-Axis-shaft-3-pin-original-mechanical-/331562111450?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d32a451da

Those could be mounded on a PCB directly under the key, and it would also support the key itself, and give it a proper feeling when being pressed.


Another option is this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10PCS-Micro-Switch-Spdt-Hinge-Roller-Lever-15A-V-156-1C25-/221534897913?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33948246f9

Microswitches would also do well, but those would require doing a custom holder for the switch, and a PCB might be difficult to do for this one.

I am out of resources for printing at the moment, the hackerspace is closed for the summer.

I already did a synth project once, here it is:
https://hackaday.io/project/375-diy-mini-midi-synth

But as you can see, it uses cheapo buttons, and those are awful!
They miss contact a lot, so even if you keep them pressed, if you don't apply enough force, they will loose contact for a moment, causing a keypress to be registred, which is really annoying!

I could try making a PCB layout for that, with cherry mx switches to fit on the keys, but I don't have the money at the moment to order/buy/print anything at all. But if I do that, I think the keys will require some adjustment to allow the switch to fit nicely in the key. I am no 3d modeler, so I am hopeless there.

Finally, I've been looking for synth keyboards for years now!
It still does not have the switches, something like charry MX might work, but an more inexpensive alternative would be better.