The possibilities offered by a 3D printer are virtually limitless: all you need is some design skill and the right rolls of material to build almost anything. This always remains in theory, because practice is not as simple as it seems. Fortunately, there are many tools that help you with tasks.
From printing paper to making physical, touchable 3D objects: technology is making its way to bring the possibilities of an industry into any home. That’s why I decided to buy my 3D printer, a mid-range Artillery which turned out to be much more useful than I thought. With it I repaired a Xiaomi fan, I made a very practical keychain and, of course, I went through printing a lot of models that I found on pages like Cults 3D or Printables. Then I thought: Can I clone my plastic house keys?
I printed a few keys after copying them with my cell phone. And they work
Printing Patterns in Ultimaker Cura
It’s not that the 3D printer I have at home has completely solved our lives, but it has This saved me from purchasing many products that I could easily replace with a print. And after discovering an app that can scan old model keys to measure their teeth to the nearest tenth of a millimeter, I wondered: can I use this app to duplicate keys with the printer?
My colleague Enrique echoed at Xataka a curious project in the form of an application (KeyDecoder) which allows make a copy of an old key by measuring each tooth one by one from the phone screen. The application itself has no practical application, since it mainly serves as a curiosity. However, the measurements taken are correct and are used to translate them into a real CAD model.
3D printer ready to print the cloned and already segmented key in gcode format
From this app and a scan I took of the shed key using the Google Pixel 6a and KeyDecoder, I looked for a way to transfer the measurements to the 3D printer. The application does not convert these measurements into a printable template (I usually work on stl), I had to do more steps. After the relevant research, I found some open source CAD models that allow the measurements to be transferred to a printable file. Additionally, I located an automated key generator that directly creates the printable file.
I must clarify that, although the process is completely open and functional, This is not useful for stealing someone else’s keys.: the models used are very old, currently there are practically no doors that use these lock drums so easy to handle (or should not, since they do not offer excessive security). Additionally, this is a measurement that requires a several-minute process, it is not enough to simply take a photo of the key. However, I must clarify that copying a key without authorization is a crime.
Measure key teeth using the KeyDecoder app
Out of curiosity, I find it impressive what the harmony between the smartphone and a 3D printer can achieve. Because yes, the truth is that a printed key works perfectly: I was able to check it. After doing several tests and fighting with the key generator looking for the specific pin pattern, the result satisfied my curiosity: the lock opens. A 3D printed object has much more strength, hardness and firmness than it appears; although on several occasions I was afraid of breaking the key and the piece of plastic remaining inside the lock.
More than satisfactory proof of concept
Key generator as printable stl model
I don’t think that printing a key goes beyond the anecdote, but it gives an idea of how far technology can go in everyday life. I carried out various tests, made numerous adjustments to the printing parameters and I had to edit the results with the file to eliminate imperfections. After all this work, the hangar lock opened without difficulty, which I found surprising.
Printing the key on the printer
In my experience, and although I don’t think it’s worth buying, a 3D printer is a great tool for the home: with a few notions of 3D design it can solve a multitude of problems. A piece of plastic that breaks and for which there is no replacement (or it is very expensive), objects that are cheaper to print than to buy (with savings on secondary costs, such as transport) , or even curiosities that promote the use of a 3D printer, such as the Keys project. And I think the next thing will be a Funko with my face: I have to take advantage of apps like Polycam.
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