For those with 3D printers and nothing to do....

[Josh K]

Copying keys with a 3D printer.

Prints keys by code, and apparently also a good test for how well tuned your printer is.

Thoughts on doing this with other more high-security style keys? Could I print a M3 or Protec key accurately enough to open any lock? What are the consequences of being able to render any conceivable object physically?

[MacGyver101]

Nirav (the fellow who did this) actually started a thread here earlier this week.

It's a very cool hack.

[Josh K]

Cool, glad to see it already here.

[Squelchtone]

Copying keys with a 3D printer.

Prints keys by code, and apparently also a good test for how well tuned your printer is.

Thoughts on doing this with other more high-security style keys? Could I print a M3 or Protec key accurately enough to open any lock? What are the consequences of being able to render any conceivable object physically?

Although you could probably program it to print an Abloy Protec key and the angle cuts, the trouble is that in order to do this you already have knowledge of the cuts or you have the actual key or worst case an Abloy key decoder and possession of a key for a few seconds in order to drop it in the decoder and find out the angles.

If anything, this is an interesting proof of concept and an interesting intellectual challenge.

Squelchtone

[johnw]

I'm halfway through a reprap Mendel build at the moment, hoping to try print a few keys when it is eventually finished. (still require all the pcb's)