DES profile MX keycaps, separate stems and keys

The Distorted Ellipsoidal Saddle (DES) profile is a sculpted Cherry MX keycap profile with a unique look and feel. Designed by Pseudoku and released in 2019, the DES profile is lower profile (shorter) while still using Cherry MX stems, has key designs optimized for use on thumb clusters, and features an interesting shape.

I'm providing STLs for 1u keys including stems, keys without stems, and the stems to add to the stemless keys. Printing the keys without stems allows for using different materials for the keys (such as PLA, especially something decorative like metallic or silk) and stems (PETG is great for durable stems). The keys and stems are also oriented in the best orientation for each, reducing print failures, improving strength, and improving appearance.

Printing 56 DES keys using this profile on a P1S requires 10 plates (a stem and key plate for each of the 5 rows), taking about 45 hours and requiring 213g of filament.

To save time and materials by eliminating the need for support, instead of printing the keycaps at a 45-degree angle, rotate the keycaps to print them flat. The keycap surface won't be as smooth, but the keycaps will still be very useable. You may even like the texture.

The STLs were generated by running “make all” on my fork of PseudoMakeMeKeyCapProfiles at https://github.com/candrews/PseudoMakeMeKeyCapProfiles

To learn more about the DES profile and how to print them, see The DES Keycap Profile: 3D Printing and Using Very Nice Keycaps.

Design by craigandrews on MakerWorld (license: CC0).