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geekhack Community => Input Devices => Topic started by: nanu on Thu, 20 January 2011, 16:15:05

Title: clever Versa-Micro microswitches
Post by: nanu on Thu, 20 January 2011, 16:15:05

As indicated in my brainstorming (http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=279639&postcount=45) for an arcade stick build, I got some Versa-Micro switches (http://google.com/search?q=versa-micro+switches).

I was wondering how the insides would differ from a normal microswitch. I LOLd once I took one apart. It's a simple and clever way to allow for virtually silent switching, like leaf switches.

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14923&stc=1&d=1295561064)

This switch is just a modified typical microswitch. The difference is a hole drilled for a 3/16" 4-40 socket screw. Tightening the screw lets you avoid the clicky sound of the hinged switching mechanism hitting either the bottom normally-open (NO) terminal or upon release, the normally-closed (NC) terminal. When tightening the screw to silence it, the NC terminal is unnecessarily never touched again. For the purposes of joysticks, NC isn't typically used anyhow. How far you tighten the screw determines how much distance is decreased between GND and NO. This translates to varying sound and tactility/linearity.

As pictured, I recommend the use of a knife to pry apart the switches.  And every modder probably has headless socket screws. They are turned via Allen wrench. You could probably merely use any screw and then saw off excess, but buying these prefabricated saves you effort and a need for precision. I recommend you open up the switches to visually calibrate a set of them. I have to open up my switches anyhow to slip in metal actuators (top right of picture) for use with an LS-32 joystick.

Title: clever Versa-Micro microswitches
Post by: CodeChef on Thu, 20 January 2011, 19:31:26

Nice Subcom! (I am also a member of a knife/multitool forum :P)

Title: clever Versa-Micro microswitches
Post by: nanu on Thu, 20 January 2011, 21:30:22

Thanks! I made a few custom polycarbonate scales (http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn20/HOSB5NM7/edc/itabokers.jpg).

In other news, I was impatient and went ahead with making actuators intended for MX switches :S
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14929&stc=1&d=1295580341)

Also, turns out that the slots on these Versa-Micros aren't the same as the microswitches used by the Seimitsu LS-32, so I ended up melting new slots via butane torch and paperclip.
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14930&stc=1&d=1295580341)
Whatever plastic it is, there's copper or something in there that burns with a green flame.

I had to resort to this instead of drilling holes because I misplaced the original microswitches entirely lol

Title: clever Versa-Micro microswitches
Post by: Parak on Fri, 21 January 2011, 14:20:58

Quote from: nanu;282048

Whatever plastic it is, there's copper or something in there that burns with a green flame.

That's Chlorine. As in, you're producing Chlorine gas by burning this plastic. Hope you had plenty of ventilation! That HCl is a doozie :bolt:

Title: clever Versa-Micro microswitches
Post by: CodeChef on Sat, 22 January 2011, 10:50:53

Quote from: Parak;282469

That's Chlorine. As in, you're producing Chlorine gas by burning this plastic. Hope you had plenty of ventilation! That HCl is a doozie :bolt:

This!

Title: clever Versa-Micro microswitches
Post by: nanu on Sat, 22 January 2011, 10:52:05

I only burned residue from the paperclip. Not even a drop in the life-meter bucket.