OTF Key Fob 1.0

Out-The-Front Key Fob 1.0

 

Behold!  This model is a custom designed key fob with a double action Out-The-Front mechanism.  Push up and down on the slider and your key will magically appear and disappear with a satisfying click!  This design acts as a functional key holder that allows you to quickly deploy and retract your key and it also acts as a fun fidget toy.

 

Boy did this one make my hairs grey.  I thought it was a fairly simple design after doing some research but with the weight of the key, it became increasingly difficult to make it fully extend and retract reliably.  Nonetheless, I made it work and it is fairly reliable as long as your printer is working “accurately”.

 

 

I designed this around a Kwikset key and I recently added a profile for a few other keys including the Schlage SC1 which is pretty common (drop a comment or picture of any other keys you want me to include).  Likewise, I plan on adding some kind of design to the case, I just haven’t had time and I wanted to post this before the key contest ended.

 

I really hope you guys like this design.  Like I said before, this was extremely difficult to get working consistently and it took a lot of failed prints to get it right (see my collection of failed prints below).  With that said, drop a like if you think it’s cool and feel free to comment on what you think or how you’d like to see it improve.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

This is what trial and error looks like….

 

 

 

Printing Instructions:

-Printed in PLA and PLA Matte

-15% Infill

-Supports On (Only used for slider plate and key holder)

-No additional parts required!

***NOTE: I would not recommend changing the settings unless you are an experimenter/tinkerer.  This mechanism relies on very strict tolerances and changing the settings might prevent the mechanism from working correctly

 

 

Assembly Instructions:

1. Start by putting the spring onto the slider plate.  You will need to slightly extend the spring for it to click into place. 

2. Turn the plate around the other side and place the key holder into the groove that’s cut into the plate.

3. Next you can slide all 3 of those parts into the key case.  You will have to push the key down for it to fit.  Note that as your pushing the key down, It will be making contact with the spring which will slightly extend it further which increases the tension so don’t be surprised if it’s a little hard to get in the case.

4. Once it’s in there, there will be some wiggle room.  This is to make room for the clip that locks everything in place.  Pull the plate out a couple millimeters to make room for the clip to slide in.  You will want to put the bigger end into its respective groove first, and then the smaller end will be able to snap into place with a bit of force.

5. All done! Now you can push the slider up and down to extend and retract your key. Note: If you are having some issues with it fully extending or retracting, this is again due to tolerancing and the weight of the key.  I found that if you keep some pressure on the side clip, it works much more reliably as it doesn’t give the system any wiggle room.

 

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