Ulanzi AU05 Vibe Key Grip Case, MagSafe-Friendly

A grip case for the Ulanzi AU05 Vibe Key keyboard mic.

[Why I made this]

The AU05 has a full CNC aluminum body. It looks great, but aluminum has two problems: it's slippery, and it dents.

The body is thin and the aluminum surface is smooth, so you have to squeeze it hard to keep it from slipping out of your hand. After a while your palm starts to ache, and when you press keys by feel your fingers slide onto the neighboring key. This isn't the manufacturer being careless - a one-piece aluminum shell can't have soft edges, and the mold won't allow raised grips on it. That's just how the process works.

So I made this case for it. Two goals:

1. When it drops, let the case take the damage.

This case is built to break: on impact it takes the hit first and cracks, absorbing the shock so the body stays fine. If the case breaks, you just print another one - a few grams of filament. If the aluminum body gets dinged, that mark never comes off.

2. A grip that doesn't slip.

The frame is one step wider than the body, so the surface under your palm is wider. You don't have to squeeze anymore, and when you press keys by feel your fingers have something to rest against.

[Two things this version specifically handles]

1. The magnet area is left completely open.

I cleared the whole MagSafe area on the back - the case doesn't cross over or cover a single magnet. It holds on a magnetic mount, or on the back of a phone, exactly like the bare device. The photos show the case installed and mounted directly on a magnetic stand.

2. Grip attachment points are already reserved.

The mounting points are built into the case. When the grip part is ready it will be updated under this same model (follow the model and you'll get a notification). No need to reprint the case - it clips on as is.

Also: all three buttons, the dial, the power button and the side port are exposed, so the case doesn't get in the way of using it. The mic intake on top is fully cleared, so recording is the same as bare. The lanyard hole still takes a cord.

[Two versions - pick what you need]

• Slim: thinnest outer frame, closest to the body's lines, about 4.6 cm3 of filament. Pick this if you want it to look like there's barely a case on it.
• Thick (recommended): thicker outer frame, better impact resistance and a fuller grip, about 5.7 cm3, with the dock / grip mount points already reserved.

Both versions are two pieces (one with the base plate, one outer frame). The Thick version comes with 4 clips, the Slim version with 2.

[What you need]

• A Ulanzi AU05 Vibe Key keyboard mic (the WorkBuddy edition is also an AU05)
• A lanyard (the one that came in the box is fine)
• No screws, no magnets, no glue

[Print settings]

• Material: PETG (that's what the one in the photos is). Grip feel and friction are both fine - it doesn't slip in your hand. The Thick version uses about 7 g of filament, which is negligible for print cost. One thing to be clear about: PETG is a hard material, so in a drop the case itself will break first. That's the trade-off, and a broken case just means printing another one. I have not tested TPU - if you want a softer feel, try it yourself, but I'm not vouching for it.
• Layer height: 0.2 mm
• Walls: 3 (the case takes load; a 2-wall side gives way as soon as you squeeze it)
• Infill: 15%
• No supports, both pieces print flat.
• Filament: Thick version about 7 g in PETG; Slim about 6 g. Slice time depends on your machine.

[How to install]

• Two-piece set plus the included clip pieces. No screws, no glue, no magnets.
• Line up the two halves on their tabs, press them together, then push the clips into their slots to lock. The joint is directional - if it doesn't line up, rotate 180 degrees and try again. Don't force it.
• Once it's on, press all three buttons, turn the dial, then stick it on your magnetic mount to confirm.

[FAQ]

Q: Does it affect the MagSafe magnets?

A: No. The magnet area is fully cleared on the case - it doesn't cross a single magnet, so holding force is the same as on the bare device.

Q: Does it block the mic or affect recording?

A: No. The intake is the mesh on top of the device; the case clears it entirely, so audio is unaffected.

Q: Does the button feel change with the case on?

A: No. The three buttons, dial and power button are all through-holes - your finger lands directly on the original button, same as bare.

Q: It won't fit / it's too tight - what do I do?

A: 3D printed parts vary with your machine's shrinkage, by 0.1-0.3 mm between machines. If it's too tight, scale the inner cavity up by 0.2 mm and reprint. Don't force it - forcing will crack the case wall.

Q: Can I swap keycaps?

A: Yes. The AU05 uses Gateron low-profile hot-swap switches with a cross stem, so aftermarket low-profile keycaps fit directly. But you lose the light-through effect of the stock transparent keycaps - your call.

Q: When is the grip coming?

A: The mounting points are already in place. When the grip part is done it will be updated under this model - no need to re-download the case.

[About this design]

This case is free for everyone who bought an AU05: print it, modify it, share it - just don't sell it.

If it doesn't fit, sits too loose, or rattles, say so in the comments and I'll reply.

This is a third-party accessory I designed myself. It is not an official Ulanzi product.

Ulanzi / AU05 / Vibe Key / WorkBuddy are trademarks of their respective owners, used here only to indicate compatibility.