[IC] i-Rocks Switches

[Tymm0]

i-Rocks Mechanical Switches
The best of MX and Alps!

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An initial batch of all three variants have been ordered. This IC serves to indicate interest in further orders and related material (plates/PCBs).

Switch Specs:
More details:

More

50,000,000 actuations
Clear top housings with support for 2 and 4 pin through hole LEDs
Hybrid pinout that works in MX/Alps PCBs.
Custom plate cutout available in ai03 plate generator
Contacts similar to Alps SKBM
Tactile/Clicky leaf spring like Alps SKCM
No interference with Cherry profile keycaps

Additional Photos

Red Silent Linear    Total Travel: 4.0mm Actuation Point: 2.0mm Actuation Force: 40g

Brown Silent Tactile    Total Travel: 4.0mm Actuation Point: 1.9mm Actuation Force: 50g Tactile Force: 50g

Blue Clicky Total Travel: 4.0mm Actuation Point: 2.0mm Actuation Force: 35g Tactile Force: 60g

Price: Apprx 0.43-0.46 USD / switch
Timeline : Dec 2022/Jan 2023 for first batch

PREORDER STATUS: SALE LIVE

[TheInverseKey]

Does the top housing of these switches have issues with keycaps that are cherry profile?

[KeyBros_]

EYOOOOOOOOOO

[el_lento]

Very interested in this, also echoing the same doubt about compatibility for cherry profile keycaps.

[alas]

Does the top housing of these switches have issues with keycaps that are cherry profile?

I can't verify if they do or not, but I have a few small washer designs that can be 3D printed or laser cut that would fix any potential interference.
I don't remember there being any interference on my i-rocks K76M with GMK, but I could be misremembering.
It might be dependent on the specific Cherry profile caps, they're not all made the same.

[Tymm0]

Does the top housing of these switches have issues with keycaps that are cherry profile?

it is very close with a GMK keycap the front edge of the switch is either very close or touching the front edge of the keycap but the top of the switch is also touching the cross points underneath the keycap. it looks to be no worse than a backwards MX switch though. Bottom row is probably touching for sure while the top row might not be but the full travel is 4 mm while the actuation is about 1.8 according to what they sent me.

[mmayhem17]

Any protos info? Why are you considering initial batch without showing us protos or videos about it?

Enviado de meu SM-G780G usando o Tapatalk

[Tymm0]

Any protos info? Why are you considering initial batch without showing us protos or videos about it?

Enviado de meu SM-G780G usando o Tapatalk

Post updated with more photos and information. Initially they didn't even have any blues on hand to send as samples so that is why we dont have any good pictures of those. We have a prototype of the plate but mainly we were trying to see how extensive the interest in these switches. They are not a new switch and have been around a while but we wanted to see if we can push them out in to the light a little bit as we think they are very interesting with a lot of potential.

But i do want to say you are absolutely right and I should have had all that written up better before posting in the first place. Thanks for the feedback.

[herfalerf]

so why only silent or clicky variants?  I think most folks prefer undampened switches.

[Chippy]

This is great to see. Any chance of an exploded view with more specs?

Also would be interested in a linear non dampened version.

[crookey]

Minecraft switches!

[Tymm0]

so why only silent or clicky variants?  I think most folks prefer undampened switches.

I would definitely agree with you that most people probably prefer undampened switches. i-Rocks only officially makes dampened switches for their keyboards. We managed to convince them to try a small batch of undampened for the clicky switch as our initial findings were that most people were looking for the clicky to be undampened. If we get larger interest we can make a larger order for undampened. However, it is also very easy to remove the dampener. The design of the dampener is simple - it includes 2 o-rings - one on each side of the stem which bottom out before anything else. These can be removed with tweezers pretty easily.

[Sylanthra]

I am a bit confused, do these switches work with both MX and Alps PCBs or do they specifically require a PCB that supports both MX and Alps switches. Same question for plates, does it work with both MX and Alps plates or only hybrid plates?

[Tymm0]

I am a bit confused, do these switches work with both MX and Alps PCBs or do they specifically require a PCB that supports both MX and Alps switches. Same question for plates, does it work with both MX and Alps plates or only hybrid plates?

Pcb must support both - it needs a center hole like MX and Alps pins. Plate is completely different switch cutout. The stabilizer works as normal though.

[CaiusCosades]

SUPER interested in these. I’m down to buy undampened clickies as soon as (if) they’re available.
I was thinking about using a hiney PCB & Freebird TKL for alps build but now I’m thinking i-rocks clickies would work better.

Any chance of getting a compatible plate? If not, is a plateless build viable with these switches?

[Tymm0]

We do have a plan in place to do a group buy for a plate and a pcb at the very least. The initial preorder for switches is open right now.

[plag]

im kinda hype for this even though compatibility with preexisting customs may be limited. would love to see someone develop plates and pcbs for common mounts/kits 

[CaiusCosades]

We do have a plan in place to do a group buy for a plate and a pcb at the very least. The initial preorder for switches is open right now.

Sweet! Ordered 100 blues & 100 browns.
Gonna take a second & advocate for a plate & PCB that’ll fit Freebird TKls if possible.
Board is affordable & should stay in stock after the initial wave ship. Plus, as far as I can tell, existing Alps/MX Hiney PCBs should work with the i-rocks switches & Freebird case.

Just a totally non-biased suggestion 

[Tymm0]

We do have a plan in place to do a group buy for a plate and a pcb at the very least. The initial preorder for switches is open right now.

Sweet! Ordered 100 blues & 100 browns.
Gonna take a second & advocate for a plate & PCB that’ll fit Freebird TKls if possible.
Board is affordable & should stay in stock after the initial wave ship. Plus, as far as I can tell, existing Alps/MX Hiney PCBs should work with the i-rocks switches & Freebird case.

Just a totally non-biased suggestion 

that is absolutely a good point that the hiney pcbs should work with these switches.

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