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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Moleboy on Tue, 02 April 2013, 08:16:46

Title: What's the average actuation force of a rubber dome?
Post by: Moleboy on Tue, 02 April 2013, 08:16:46
I've googled around, and couldn't get a sufficient answer :-/ So does anyone know?

=D
Title: Re: What's the average actuation force of a rubber dome?
Post by: nsrexler on Tue, 02 April 2013, 10:15:55
It's probably pretty hard to determine, since there's a lot of variance. I've used some RD keyboards that give almost no resistance, and others that feel extremely stiff. Further complicating the matter is the fact that rubber domes tend to get softer with use and age.
Title: Re: What's the average actuation force of a rubber dome?
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 02 April 2013, 10:59:20
Also, rather than "actuating" some sort of mechanism, you are forcing the dome collapse, so it is inherently less predictable.
Title: Re: What's the average actuation force of a rubber dome?
Post by: ideus on Tue, 02 April 2013, 11:17:49
One site that is selling topre realforce keyboards states the force in a rubber dome keyboard is between 50 to 60 g.


http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=113_1297&products_id=18678 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=113_1297&products_id=18678)
Title: Re: What's the average actuation force of a rubber dome?
Post by: davkol on Tue, 02 April 2013, 12:08:17
About 65 cN, most RDs are somewhere between 50 and 70 cN—or a bit more when old. Of course, there are exceptions, e.g. 40cN goldtouch. Also note that actuation force = force required to collapse the RD = force needed to bottom out.
Title: Re: What's the average actuation force of a rubber dome?
Post by: Abacus1234 on Tue, 02 April 2013, 13:56:51
The rubber dome that came with a computer of mine takes almost no force. It is definitely lighter than cherry browns that I'm used to typing on. I think there are a lot of differences. I also used to have a Razer Anansi keyboard which was very stiff, but I actually grew to like it after a while. I think it just depends. In all honesty, there are some non-mechanicals out there which are very nice to type on. Just probably not as nice as this PBT keycap Ducky Pro I'm on right now... :)
Title: Re: What's the average actuation force of a rubber dome?
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 02 April 2013, 14:19:38
there's no industry number..

Older domes the thicker kinds are usually around 70

The Newer ghetto $5 boards with the extremely thin domes are usually around 30-40
Title: Re: What's the average actuation force of a rubber dome?
Post by: vipjun on Tue, 02 April 2013, 15:28:37
scissor switches feel to be about 65 - 75.