Mathpad Mode Switch Key Insert

Light diffusing insert of the mode switch key for Mathpad

This is the reupload of the insert for the mode switch key of Mathpad.

I also included my Bambu Studio project file (which is what Bambu Studio/MakerWorld calls the "print profile"), which should also be compatible with Orca Slicer.

Some of the photos show how the printed PLA insert compares to the OEM insert (which is presumably in PETG).  I eventually put on the PLA insert and show that it works as the LED diffusing insert on the Mathpad in the final visual upload, which is a GIF.

Printing settings

• Printer: Bambu Lab A1 mini

• Nozzle size: 0.2mm Bambu Lab stainless steel/high flow

  • "High Quality" quality preset/0.08mm layer height

• Filament: Bambu Lab PLA Basic

  • Color: Black

• Print plate: Bambu Cool Plate SuperTack

Minor warnings

• Bambu Studio warns about overhangs, but the printing should be ok (at least on Bambu Lab printers).

• There may be strands left over after printing, but they should be superficial and they may be removed without issue.

  • The second photo shows this.

  • Otherwise, overall print integrity of the model should be fine.

• If you use PLA, then expect the overall model to feel extremely thin and paper-like.

  • Expect to basically use PLA inserts once, as they are not really sturdy enough to be removed after placement into the underside of the black mode switch key.

  • In general, the OEM insert was already thin - though this is especially true for PLA.

Other recommendations

I would ideally choose strongly using PETG or ABS/ASA for filament, but PLA will also work.

A brief description of the Mathpad project

Mathpad is available on Crowd Supply (North America region) and Tindie (EU and international region), which is a numpad that helps to type mathematical symbols in Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, and LaTeX when one wants to type mathematical symbols frequently for STEM-related writing.

Mathpad works cross-platform with Windows, macOS, and Unix/Linux.  Mathpad's hardware, software, and firmware may be found in its monorepo on GitHub.

I supported the project via Crowd Supply with my own money.

Brief motivation

I was taking apart my Mathpad when I first received it in late 2025, and I accidentally broke the insert when trying to examine the insert tucked into the black mode switch key.

After asking to make sure it was uploaded, I went about trying to replicate the correct print settings so that I could fix the light diffusion insert myself.

Main takeaways

• As a 3D printing platform (primarily for filament/FDM), Printables makes its easier to reupload models from third-party platforms.

  • In this example, GitHub for open source hardware is the model's origin.

• However, MakerWorld doesn't have this (yet, as of October 2026).

  • There is a feature to import a specified model via Thangs/Thingiverse, though it requires you to upload a body text that starts with Free my models, followed by a hexadecimal string.

  • I've finally answered why I occasionally see this in the description of various publicly uploaded 3D printing models.

  • It seems that I'll have to "lie" on MakerWorld, and say that I'm remixing a model from a third-party site - which I believe I have seen done before on MakerWorld.

• If you decide to remove the OEM insert from your Mathpad, then I recommend holding onto the side edges - rather than the top & bottom - to remove the insert from the underside of the mode switch key.  (This assumes you orient the black key "normally", as if you were using the Mathpad on a desk.)

  • This is because holding either the top or bottom edges will likely apply force to rip along the print layers, which is what happened to me.

  • Also, I believe it was printed in PETG.

• The Strongly Reciprocal version of the CERN Open Hardware Licence Version 2 is finally available on Printables.