It started with a simple idea: why not design my own keyboard wrist rest?
I wanted a wrist rest specifically for my workstation, with controlled dimensions, an ergonomic shape, and a lightweight design that I could 3D print and actually use.
The height difference between my keyboard and desk was causing wrist discomfort, especially during long hours of blogging and editing. So, instead of looking for a ready-made solution, I decided to design my own.
For the project, I used SOLIDWORKS for Makers for CAD design and a Bambu Lab 3D printer to produce the parts, using PLA for the structure and TPU for the wrist-contact area.
I also wanted to experiment with an ergonomic curved surface and a honeycomb structure.
So, let’s start with the design.
Why Did I Choose a Honeycomb Structure?
I chose the honeycomb pattern not only for its appearance, but also to keep the wrist rest lightweight and reduce material use. The flexible TPU material also works well with the patterned structure, making the wrist contact area more comfortable and breathable.
This project also allowed me to combine several SOLIDWORKS commands, including Split, Swept Surface, Fill Pattern, Ruled Surface and Deform.
Before creating the honeycomb structure, however, I first needed to determine the basic dimensions.
Designing the Ergonomic Shape
The first thing I did was measure my keyboard. My keyboard dimensions are approximately:
Thickness: 20 mm
Height including the keys: 30 mm
Width: 390 mm
Based on my research, I decided the wrist support area should be approximately 50–60 mm wide.
For my first design, I selected a wrist support width of 60 mm. I also set the maximum height of the wrist rest to 20 mm because I didn’t want it to exceed the height of my keyboard.
At this point, I wasn’t trying to create the final version immediately. I wanted to create a first version, print it, and see how it actually felt.
This is an important part of the workflow for me because the CAD model can look correct on the screen while still not feeling right when you actually use it.
First Prototype
For the first prototype, I reduced the overall width so that I could produce a test print more quickly. After printing and testing it, I noticed two things. First, the wrist-support area was not large enough. Second, the height of the wrist rest needed to be increased. So, I returned to SOLIDWORKS Makers and modified the design.
Refining the Wrist Support Shape
For the revised design, I created a more pronounced ergonomic profile.
If you look at the final shape, the bottom surface that contacts the desk is flat. This provides a stable base for the wrist rest.
On the keyboard side, the surface is higher and then slopes downward. I wanted this transition to be gradual rather than creating a sharp change in height. I also rounded the outer edges to make the shape smoother and more comfortable.
The upper wrist support area has a wider raised section where the wrist rests. From this raised area, the surface gradually slopes downward toward the ends.
This increases the contact area and creates a smoother transition between the raised wrist support area and the desk. There is also a rectangular feature underneath the flat area of the design, which you can see represented by dashed lines in the model. I created this feature as a reference for the feet that would be added later.
Designing the Wrist Rest for My 3D Printer
There was another important limitation that I needed to consider before finishing the model.
My Bambu Lab printer has a 256 mm × 256 mm print area, while my keyboard is approximately 390 mm wide. That meant I couldn’t simply create one 390 mm wide wrist rest and send it to the printer. I therefore decided to make the wrist rest as a multi-part design. I also wanted to avoid screws and adhesive.
The idea was simple: Design the connection directly into the geometry.
This meant that the two printed sections could be assembled after printing.
In this section, I demonstrate step by step in the video how the honeycomb-patterned wrist support was modeled. Therefore, I’ll focus only on the key points, rather than going into every detail.
As I explained earlier, the part that will rest on the wrist will be made of TPU. I want this part to feature a honeycomb pattern, which helps prevent sweat buildup during use and creates a breathable product, while also resulting in a more visually appealing design.
As you can see in the image, I’ve positioned a flat plate tangent to the Wrist Rest part. I’ll create the honeycomb pattern on this plate. To do this, I’ll use the Fill Pattern command.
Print the Model
If you want to print the wrist rest yourself, I also uploaded the model to MakerWorld. You can download the files and try the design on your own 3D printer.
Continue reading the full blog on the official SOLIDWORKS website:
