[PLUS] Knowledge: More than 40 years of mechanical key switches

Milestones in Mechanics

Mechanical key switches, the technology and functionality of which differ significantly from the keys with a rubber dome/membrane mechanism, have been around since the 1980s. About 10 years ago, however, mechanical keyboards and their switches experienced a real renaissance and have since been considered a premium class and reference among gamers and frequent writers. This is mainly due to the fact that the key switches, which are now manufactured by a large number of companies, have a clearly defined actuating force (spring resistance) thanks to their spring inside, as well as a pre-travel and stroke path that is precisely defined in millimeters. In the case of switches based on rubber dome technology, which to be precise are also mechanical, the force for triggering and the switch travel is determined by a type of dome or membrane made of rubber or silicone. The returns to its original shape after the key is released, pushing the plunger/piston connected to the keycap back up (see image below left).

While the characteristics of mechanical key switches change only marginally over several years, the typing behavior of rubber dome switches deteriorates after just a few months. This often manifests itself in the fact that the key gives increasingly imprecise feedback and feels increasingly spongy. This shows that membrane switches are less durable than their mechanical counterparts. The latter, like the current series of Cherry MX RGB key switches, can withstand 100 million operations, not least thanks to their patented Gold Crosspoint contact mechanism. In the case of rubber dome switches, on the other hand, a service life of approx. 5 million operations is realistic.

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The following topics can be found in the article:

• Rubber Dome/Membrane Key Switches: Functionality and Examples
• Classics and rare specialists
• The cherry era: German quality with cherry symbol
• Cherry switch technology
• It will be colorful and even quiet
• Kailh: Copy as competition
• Gateron, Gaote and Greetch: More clones
• Razer: From Cherry to Chinese imitators
• Roccat: Custom titanium keyswitches since Q4 2018
• Logitech: switch development with Omron and Kailh
• In-house production for your own gamer keyboards
• From electronics to optics

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