Just out of curiosity: why did you choose those bendable leafs instead of (for example) pogopins that seem to be more prevalent?
Excellent question! We've choosen this connector primarily because of space constraints. Also, pogo pins are fabulously expensive costing > $10. Even though I think this shouldn't be a huge pain point we can still revise this further given that we'll be able to find a pogo pin that is small enough, easy to source and not so terribly expensive.
I am doing a custom personal keyboard and wanted to have a magnetically detachable number pad. I was going to use pogo pins (being a one-off, I don't
care what it costs). What I'm more uninterested in, are those steel magnetic interlock thingies. Is that an off the shelf component, and if so, what are they called and where can I find them? Are they fixed, or do they magnetically extend deeper when engaged?
Without those steel pegs, I'd basically expect my number pad to just connect purely by magnetic alignment. hit would have no secure strength or connection if I were to pick up or angle the keyboard to move or adjust it.
Also, I planned on using pogos similar to this one:
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/0900-8-15-20-76-14-11-0/ED1124-ND/3737527These are only $0.81 in single quantities (presuming 5 connectors, $4.05 in single quantities). That being said, the parts have quantity breaks, so depending on how many of these keyboards get made, you could cut that down to $0.30 per pogo/$1.54 per keyboard for 100 keyboards made, or $0.21776 per pogo/$1.09 per keyboard for 500 keyboards made. That's just using that one particular part as an example.
This one costs a little more, but is still sub $1 pricing in single quantities, and offers a through hole mount. You'd need a small 90° PC board to mount them too, but if through hole solves complexities in basic pogo pun alignment during manufacture, then that's an option to consider as well. Maybe SMD pick and place can handle those pogos? I dunno. I probably will personally spend a little extra on a through hole variety, just to I can solder these to a small PC board that will maintain my alignment. All I need to do then, for my keyboard, is just snag a small PC board with the correctly spaced gold plated pads to act as contacts to the pogos.
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/0906-1-15-20-75-14-11-0/ED8181-ND/1147049