Mini Key Fob

[Stang70Fastback]

Originally Posted by tehShirt

What are your thoughts on reusing the buttons and membrane? Shouldn't increase the height much and you wouldn't have to deal with durability/accidental button presses.

That was actually the original goal, but I decided against it because it would have added noticeable width and height to the fob reusing those stock parts. The fob already makes concessions (no physical key, no light) in the name of size, so I felt the best value for those trade-offs was for it to be as small as possible, and go "all in" in the miniaturization, so to speak. You really don't need the buttons to be marked once you've used the car for any length of time, and this is really meant for people like me who barely touch the fob at all apart from sticking it in their pocket, using keyless entry and push start for 99% of the stuff.

In theory I could print an ultra-thin TPU seal that would go between the two halves, though. I had thought about doing that in the long run.

This needs to be though of not so much as a miniaturized "fully functional" key, but more as a miniaturized "pocket fob."

[tehShirt]

Originally Posted by Stang70Fastback

That was actually the original goal, but I decided against it because it would have added noticeable width and height to the fob reusing those stock parts. The fob already makes concessions (no physical key, no light) in the name of size, so I felt the best value for those trade-offs was for it to be as small as possible, and go "all in" in the miniaturization, so to speak. You really don't need the buttons to be marked once you've used the car for any length of time, and this is really meant for people like me who barely touch the fob at all apart from sticking it in their pocket, using keyless entry and push start for 99% of the stuff.

In theory I could print an ultra-thin TPU seal that would go between the two halves, though. I had thought about doing that in the long run.

This needs to be though of not so much as a miniaturized "fully functional" key, but more as a miniaturized "pocket fob."

That makes sense. With your goals, the path you took seems to be the best option.

[RRockefeller]

Do you have the STL file available anywhere? Willing to purchase the file, thanks!

[Xerexyz]

Originally Posted by RRockefeller

Do you have the STL file available anywhere? Willing to purchase the file, thanks!

I'm interested as well.

[wolffbite]

What 3d printer are you using?

[Stang70Fastback]

Originally Posted by wolffbite

What 3d printer are you using?

I'm using a Lulzbot Mini 2.

I completely forgot to follow up on this project. I've been using mine for months now with no issues, and I love it. I settled for just sanding the curved top edges. It's SO much smaller, and works great. I almost never use the physical buttons, but even if I do need to, they are easy to press through the top skin. I knew which button was which within a month or two of ownership, so the lack of labels doesn't bother me. Just makes for an interesting fob design, lol.

I actually sold a few to other folks, and they seemed happy as well. The comparison photo below is of an older prototype, but the final design wound up being about the same size (basically just a HAIR thicker... like 1/2mm or something, to toughen up the flexible top skin).

[azonic]

This is cool. I wouldn't need the key ring part. Could you design it with an o-ring to make it more environment proof?

[Xerexyz]

I've got a Taz 5 with the 0.5mm nozzle. Did you share the design on Thingiverse?

[SkyKing]

Are there any intentions to produce and sell your Fob?

[austinvojta]

Hoping there is an STL for this floating around somewhere!