MECHANICAL SWITCHES
Structure of Mechanical Switch
CLICKY SWITCH
- Produce a distinct tactile bump.
- Designed to be loud.
- The audible clicks let you know that the keys actually get pressed when you type.
- Example: Cherry MX Blue Switch and Razer Green Switch
Advantages
- Strong and distinct feedback when you type.
- Easy to be found in the market
Disadvantages:
- Clicky sound quite loud and it may disturb other people.
- Normally clicky switch won’t be modified because it is designed to be loud.
- Clicky sound will be indistinct or even disappear if we modify it.
Tactile Switch
- Produce a tactile bump
- Quiet audible click with each keystroke
- It is more quiet compared to blue switch.
- Example: Cherry MX Brown Switch, Durock T1 Switch, Boba U4T Switch
Advantanges:
- It is not quite as loud as a clicky switch but it still produce satisfying bumps.
Disadvantanges:
- It is quite louder compared to linear switch.
Linear Switch
- Producing a smooth and consistent actuation without any tactile feedback.
- It is the most quiet among these three type of switches in stock condition.
- It has the fastest response because tactile feedback could slightly reduce speed and increase response time.
- Example: Cherry MX Red Switch, Leobog Greywood Switch, KTT Kang White Switch and KTT Red Wine Switch
Advantanges:
- Most quiet and smooth.
- Fastest response time.
- Easy to be found in market.
Disadvantanges:
- Feedback is not as strong as clicky switch and tactile switch.
- Not beginner friendly.
KEYCAPS
*There are other keycaps materials but it is worthless as they are much less common and more expensive. For example, brass keycaps and POM keycaps.
KEYCAPS PRINTING METHODS
Pad Printing
Most commonly used as it is cheap and fast. It made by dipping a pad to ink and transferring it onto the keycaps. The legends ( letters, numbers, or symbols printed on the keycaps ) are quick to fade so it is less desirable.
Laser Etching
The keycaps will be covered with a dye material first to make the surface completely opaque and then a laser etches a legend design into the surface to allow light to shine through.
Double-shot
This method is processed by molding two layers of plastic into each other. Therefore, the legend will never fade and it cannot be felt while typing.
Dye Sublimation (Dye Sub)
The method is processed by using high heat to turn printed legends from solid into gas so that it can be absorbed into the material of keycaps (mainly for PBT material). It can ensure the legend will never fade. It allows for intricate designs and rich gradient colours with smooth gradients.
KEYCAP PROFILES
Keycaps profile refers to overall shape of the keycaps. For example, MDA profile keycaps are more rounded. In some profiles, they have different height in different rows to have a concave or sloped shape over the whole keycap set. Therefore, different keycap profiles can provide different typing feel and even turn into a whole new level.
KEYCAP SIZES
Before purchasing a keycap set, you need to understand the size & layout of your keyboard and what row they sit on. The keycap measurements are referred to as u. For example, 1u refers to the smallest 1x1 unit used for letters, function row, arrow keys and so on. It is very important to understand what sizes are needed on what keyboard layouts, especially for the keyboards with uncommon layout.
Comparison between HHKB layout and standard 104 keys layout
Both 'Alt' keys and 'Fn' key are in 1u size.
Right 'Shift' key is in 1.75u size.
Spacebar is in 7u size.
Both 'Alt' keys and 'Fn' key are in 1.25u size.
Right 'Shift' key is in 2.75u size.
Spacebar is in 6.25u size.