4 ms·

I'm not sure what 3D printing has to do with any of this, other than that bump key was 3D printed. That key could have just as well been CNC'd or cast or whatev

by RobLach 12y ago

I'm not sure what 3D printing has to do with any of this, other than that bump key was 3D printed. That key could have just as well been CNC'd or cast or whatever manufacturing method. Unless they figured out this key because 3D printing allowed for rapid iteration.

mkesper 12y ago
It's so easy and you can even order them for small money.
legulere 12y ago
There were many points in the article why 3D printing makes the old technique more easily accessible. For example: > In this video, Holler demonstrates a 3D-printed and filed bump key for an Ikon SK6, a key that uses restricted, carefully contorted blanks that can’t even be created by many key-milling machines.
- Gracana 12y ago
  Maybe the average key milling machine can't do it, but a general-purpose mill could. And for less than the cost of a 3D printer that can make strong finely detailed parts, you could buy a decent sized CNC machining center that could make keys (or anything else) out of real actual metal. For a tenth of the cost (or about the cost of a hobby printer), you can get a manual machine and do it by hand.
kalleboo 12y ago
The difference is there's the possibility that anyone could download a blank key 3D file off of the pirate bay and then get it printed for $5 from Shapeways no questions asked. Even I could do it. I don't even know where I'd find a CNC machine. If I asked someone who has one to make a blank key for me he'd probably tell me to fuck off or call the police, and if I tried to use it myself I'd probably cut off my arm. It's definitely not a revolution of any kind, it's just another step towards lockpicking made easier and more accessible, and makes the concept of physical locks as a lone defense weaker.
- emhart 12y ago
  The concept of physical locks as a lone defense is a very new idea in the long history of mechanical security.

by RobLach 12y ago

mkesper 12y ago

It's so easy and you can even order them for small money.

legulere 12y ago

There were many points in the article why 3D printing makes the old technique more easily accessible. For example: > In this video, Holler demonstrates a 3D-printed and filed bump key for an Ikon SK6, a key that uses restricted, carefully contorted blanks that can’t even be created by many key-milling machines.

Gracana 12y ago
Maybe the average key milling machine can't do it, but a general-purpose mill could. And for less than the cost of a 3D printer that can make strong finely detailed parts, you could buy a decent sized CNC machining center that could make keys (or anything else) out of real actual metal. For a tenth of the cost (or about the cost of a hobby printer), you can get a manual machine and do it by hand.

kalleboo 12y ago

The difference is there's the possibility that anyone could download a blank key 3D file off of the pirate bay and then get it printed for $5 from Shapeways no questions asked. Even I could do it. I don't even know where I'd find a CNC machine. If I asked someone who has one to make a blank key for me he'd probably tell me to fuck off or call the police, and if I tried to use it myself I'd probably cut off my arm. It's definitely not a revolution of any kind, it's just another step towards lockpicking made easier and more accessible, and makes the concept of physical locks as a lone defense weaker.

emhart 12y ago
The concept of physical locks as a lone defense is a very new idea in the long history of mechanical security.