{"id":399,"date":"2018-04-11T18:09:01","date_gmt":"2018-04-11T18:09:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/volksswitch.org\/?page_id=399"},"modified":"2025-12-13T11:44:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T18:44:45","slug":"mounting-with-raised-tabs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/volksswitch.org\/index.php\/volks-devices\/customizable-3d-printable-keyguard-for-grid-based-free-form-and-hybrid-aac-apps-on-tablets\/mounting-with-raised-tabs\/","title":{"rendered":"Mounting with Raised Tabs"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Raised-tabs are, pretty much, the mounting method of last resort.\u00a0 If you have a soft-sided case you use slide-in tabs, or micro-suction tape (i.e., no mount).\u00a0 If you don’t mind replacing the screen protector that came as part of your case with a keyguard frame, you take that route and “snap-in” your keyguard.\u00a0 But if you have a screen protector that you want to keep, raised tabs are you best (only?) choice.<\/p>\n

To add support for raised tabs to your keyguard, you first expand the “Tablet Case” category, choose “yes” from the “have a case” pull-down list and provide information about the size of the opening in the case for the tablet screen.\u00a0 Then, expand the “Mounting Method” category of options and then select “Raised Tabs – for cases” in the pull-down list of titled “mount keyguard with” .\u00a0 The words “for cases” is included in the name of the option to reinforce that this option applies only to mounting your keyguard in a case.\u00a0 Next, expand the “Raised Tabs Info” category and provide information about the sizes of the tabs you want to create.<\/p>\n

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The following images illustrate the various options.<\/p>\n

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You can set a “preferred” raised tab thickness but the raised tab can’t be any thicker than the keyguard itself – which would otherwise cause problems when printing the keyguard.<\/p>\n

The “ramp angle” is associated with the “ramp” part of the tab.\u00a0 It should match the angle of the screen protector as it slopes away from the face of the tablet.\u00a0 How do you determine this value?\u00a0 Start with the default value of 20 degrees and adjust the value of the tabs lift the keyguard off the face of the tablet (i.e., the ramp is too shallow) or if significant amounts of the tabs don’t make contact with the gel tape (i.e., the ramp is too steep).<\/p>\n

You also need to specify the “starting height” of the tabs.\u00a0 This will depend on how thick the screen protector is at the point it meets the face of the tablet.\u00a0 Add one millimeter to this value to account for the thickness of the gel tape.<\/p>\n

These values come together like this:<\/p>\n

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As you increase the tab length it grows at the specified ramp angle until it reaches the specified height and then it turns and remains flat as it extends outward.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The optimal place to attach the tabs is to the screen protector itself.\u00a0 It has a rigid, smooth surface.\u00a0 So it’s probably unnecessary for your tabs to extend beyond the ramp part of the tab.<\/p>\n

Be sure to tell your slicer to include supports when printing your keyguard.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Installing Your Keyguard<\/h2>\n

You can use two different methods for mounting your keyguard with raised tabs to the case.\u00a0 You can use gel tape or magnets.<\/p>\n

Gel Tape<\/h3>\n

The video below shows how to install your keyguard.\u00a0 Note that we are using gel tape<\/a> rather than Velcro for a tighter and stronger fit.<\/p>\n

*** The video talks about marking the hard plastic of the screen protector and then putting the gel tape on that surface.\u00a0 We now recommend that you put the gel tape first on the underside of the raised tabs, instead. ***<\/span><\/p>\n