Annoying Chinese Key Knob Fix !

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Vinito Frankovich
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2021 7:43 pm
Location: Kansas City
Country: United States
Laser Machine Make or Type: Chinese
Laser Power: 80W
Laser Bed Size: 28" x 20"
Home Position: TR
Control Software: RDWORKS
RDWorks Version: 8.01.52
Ruida Controller: RDC6442
Accessories: Working on adding Z-axis motor. I'm new, so nothing else yet
Windows Version: 10

Annoying Chinese Key Knob Fix !

Post by Vinito Frankovich »

(file link at the bottom)
Ever since I first got my printer, I have always hated those stupid enclosure door knobs that needed that triangle key thing. It's totally unnecessary for a hobbyist and even if you can find the key when you want in, it's still a pain just to fit the thing over the spud so you can finally turn it and open a door. There are 10 of them on my machine !!!

Anyway, all it needs is a knob, so I thought I'd try to just print one. It turned out pretty good! Easy to use finally, and besides a little cleanup from supports after printing, it just comes off the printer and ready to assemble.

I used an Elegoo Mars, which is one of the most common resin printers out there and the rest of them are pretty much the same, so it should be easy for anyone else to print too if you want.

So this is what I hated:

Image

This is what came out of the printer. You could print more, but I was in no hurry really. More batches is no big deal:
Image

This is after cleaning off the supports:
Image

And the piece of resistance...
Image

By the way, yes this was just printed with standard resin, which is usually so brittle it's fragile. But the shape of this piece makes for a very robust part. I torqued it pretty hard trying to make it fail, but it's just a pretty strong part. Of course if you want to get fancy with the resin and make it even tougher, that's always possible.
Also, when I say this is ready for assembly, I mean the threads too. Right off the printer, the 6mm screw fits the threads perfect - that's one of the beautiful things about resin printers (once you model the part suitably). Such fine resolution.

Here's a link to .ipt and .stl files if you want to try it:
https://thangs.com/mythangs/file/55130? ... rsion=true

p.s. I bet this has been done a hundred times already, but this was fun... and it worked!
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Gene Uselman
Posts: 2154
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2016 3:18 pm
Location: Suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
Country: USA
Nickname: Gene
Laser Machine Make or Type: AKL1318-2
Laser Power: 130W & 80W Reci
Laser Bed Size: 51 x 71
Home Position: TR
Control Software: LIGHTBURN
RDWorks Version: RDw .19 & Lightburn
Ruida Controller: RDC6445
Accessories: I have a combining lenses, pin tables [homebuilt], honeycomb tables , wireless remote, Modifed Ultimate Air Assist, home built non-powered rotary device, Prusa i3 MK3S and Mini Prusa printers.
Windows Version: Win 10 Pro

Re: Annoying Chinese Key Knob Fix !

Post by Gene Uselman »

I understand how you feel about seeing a problem, designing a solution, and manufacturing the part- it is like the wind beneath my old wings. I have two Prusa filament printers but have my eye on a resin printer if my life ever settles down.

It doesn't seem like that key would fit that latch tho?
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Chris Kokosa
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2021 6:58 am
Location: Brownsburg, IN
Country: USA
Laser Machine Make or Type: Blue and Gray Chinese Preenex
Laser Power: 50
Laser Bed Size: 12" x 20"
Home Position: TR
Control Software: LIGHTBURN
RDWorks Version: 8.01.18
Ruida Controller: RDC6442
Accessories: Rotary, Dohicky
Windows Version: 10

Re: Annoying Chinese Key Knob Fix !

Post by Chris Kokosa »

I hate those triangle keys as well. I'm going to find a way to printer this on my FDM printer and see if I can make it work. It won't look "OEM" like yours but hopefully I can get it to print. Thanks for sharing!
User avatar
Gene Uselman
Posts: 2154
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2016 3:18 pm
Location: Suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
Country: USA
Nickname: Gene
Laser Machine Make or Type: AKL1318-2
Laser Power: 130W & 80W Reci
Laser Bed Size: 51 x 71
Home Position: TR
Control Software: LIGHTBURN
RDWorks Version: RDw .19 & Lightburn
Ruida Controller: RDC6445
Accessories: I have a combining lenses, pin tables [homebuilt], honeycomb tables , wireless remote, Modifed Ultimate Air Assist, home built non-powered rotary device, Prusa i3 MK3S and Mini Prusa printers.
Windows Version: Win 10 Pro

Re: Annoying Chinese Key Knob Fix !

Post by Gene Uselman »

Good on you for printing a solution Chris- the 3D printers are one of the joys of my life [along with designing for them].
t doesn't seem like that key would fit that latch tho?
- I can plainly see now that this part of Vinito's replaces the entire barrel in his lock housing- Not sure why I did not see that back in March.
If the Help and advice you received here was of VALUE...
Please consider making a donation to maintain the RDWORKSLAB Forum.

BT48 Alpha Shopbot and 1300x1800 130W Laser

The days that I keep my gratitude higher than
my expectations, Well, I have really good days.

Ray Wylie Hubbard
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