The mechanical keyboard industry has progressed from offering basic keyboards towards advanced systems with a high degree of customization offered to clients. These systems are essentially comprised of numerous keyboard switches. These switches are major components of the keyboard system and influence the experience and feedback from using the keyboard.
Switches can influence the experience by defining the feedback and response of the switch. GATERON is one of the companies in the industry that develops and manufactures highly customized solutions.
What are Custom Mechanical Keyboard Switches?
Custom mechanical keyboard switches are modifications to existing mechanical keyboard switches or are entirely new switches built from the ground up to meet a certain requirement that is beyond the capability of standard mechanical switches.
Switches can be customized in a number of different ways. These include:
- Stem Geometry and Material: The geometry and material of the stem heavily affects the key travel and the response in terms of feedback and acoustics. A stem made of POM, for example, can produce a smoother key travel compared to one made of POK.
- Housing Material: The material of the housing can change the stiffness of the switch, resonance, and the acoustic response.
- Spring: There are many types of springs and altering the type or weight can greatly influence the experience of typing as can altering the length of the spring, which can influence the response speed and the actuation force.
- Contact System: The design and the material of the metal contacts determine the reliability and the lifespan of the switch.
- Lubrication: The manufacturing method for lubrication can also affect friction and noise of the spring.
This variety of design options allows manufacturers to create highly differentiated products with a wide variety of typing experiences.
Major Types of Custom Switch Technologies
At present time, most custom switches can be categorized as mechanical, optical, or magnetic.
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Switch Type
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Actuation Method
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Customization Options
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Common Applications
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Mechanical Switch
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Physical metal contact
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Stem, spring, housing, lubrication
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Custom keyboards, daily typing, gaming
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Optical Switch
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Light-based detection
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Switch feel components, actuation characteristics
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Gaming keyboards requiring fast response
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Magnetic Switch
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Hall Effect sensing
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Adjustable actuation point, spring options, firmware tuning
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High-end gaming and enthusiast keyboards
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Each of the above technologies has its benefits. Mechanical switches have a broad market presence, largely due to their availability and extensive customization possibilities. Diverse approaches to sensing offered by optical and magnetic switches, in addition to their advanced capabilities and performance, allow the design of more sophisticated PCBs and firmware.
GATERON's Custom Switch Manufacturing Offerings
GATERON provides services for the custom design of mechanical, optical, and magnetic keyboard switches.
1. In-House Research and Development
GATERON conducts Research and Development to adapt and configure its switches for specific requirements of target markets and end-users.
2. Precision Mold Manufacturing
Switch performance is heavily reliant on the precision of the mold. Thus, in-house manufacturing of molds assists in the uniformity of vital components like stems and housings.
3. Integrated Production Management
GATERON's integrated production management system provides them with the ability to dictate and control the entire production flow. As a result, they have the capacity to extend the degree of variability in the selection of production materials and the homogeneity of the finished products.
4. Diverse Switch Platforms
GATERON's coverage of mechanical, optical and magnetic switch domains meets the needs of different keyboard applications, from enthusiast to gaming.
Quality and Consistency
In custom mechanical keyboards, variance in a switch can impact the feel and sound. Therefore consistency is essential.
Typical quality assurance procedures in manufacturing consist of the following components:
- In-process inspection: Inspection of the dimensions of components and assessment of the in-process materials.
- Post-assembly testing: Assessment of the performance and operation of a switch with regard to its mechanical and electrical functions.
- Endurance testing: Assessment of a switch to verify that the switch fulfills its intended function for a prolonged period of time.
- Quality management systems: Inclusion of methods and standards of quality manufacturing such as ISO 9001 and similar certifications.
Custom switch designs will be of the quality and performance standards that are consistent.
Factory-Customized Switch Solutions
Experienced companies offer factory-customized solutions for brands of keyboards with large-scale projects as well as individual components.
Some of the options include:
- Assortments of spring weights
- Combos of stems and housings
- Certain materials and colors
- Switch specs for certain keyboards
This helps a company create a proprietary switch, and after the switch is produced, it won't require extensive manual work to the switch.
Choosing the Right Custom Switch
There are many elements to consider when ordering custom switches.
1. Typing Feel
This is personal preference and habitual. You will choose from linear, tactile, or clicky. This is subjective and the answer is usually a combination of the plate, keyboard, case, and keycap structure.
2. Keyboard Compatibility
First, ensure the switch you select aligns with the type of switch the keyboard PCB permits (mechanical, optical, or magnetic).
3. Lubrication and Maintenance
Factory lubrication allows for the least amount of user maintenance and tuning, but can be more flexible.
This is dependent on the user's focus when it comes to smoothness, sound, and comfort versus response time and actuation.
The Future of Custom Mechanical Keyboard Switches
To an extent, the expansion of the custom keyboard market offers manufacturers the choice to design within a broader scope of custom features and options for switches.
Final Thoughts
The individualization of typing experiences heavily relies on custom mechanical keyboard switches. By optimizing construction materials and methods of actuation and manufacture, GATERON enables brands to design switches based on their requirements for performance and aesthetics.
Due to GATERON's modern approach to switches and industrial capability and control over product quality, GATERON offers custom solutions for keyboard brands and product developers seeking custom switches. Please contact GATERON regarding additional information for your custom switch needs.
FAQs
Q1. How do custom switches change the experience of typing?
Custom switches change the typing experience by modifying key feel, the force needed to press a key, smoothness, sound, and how fast they respond.
Q2. Can the switches on a mechanical keyboard be changed?
Yes, the switches on a mechanical keyboard can be changed. Custom switches have different spring weights, different designs of the switch stem, different housing materials, lubrication, etc.
Q3. What are the standard materials used for custom switches?
Custom switches standardly use materials like POM, POK, polycarbonate, and nylon, which affect the feel of the switch, how long the switch lasts, and the sound.
Q4. What are the different types of custom keyboard switches?
Different custom keyboard switches can use different technologies, like mechanical, optical, and magnetic switch technologies.
Q5. Can GATERON do OEM or ODM switches?
Yes, GATERON provides customized switches for keyboard companies, and can support their designs and produce switches at mass.
