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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: SonicRevolution on Tue, 30 July 2013, 12:15:03

Title: How are Cherry MX Keycap made in mass quanities?
Post by: SonicRevolution on Tue, 30 July 2013, 12:15:03

Hey guys,

I'm trying to understand how the "big" boys make Cherry MX keycaps.  Do they use injection molding? Or some other fashion?  Any good resource for this?

Much appreciated!

-SonicRevolution

Title: Re: How are Cherry MX Keycap made in mass quanities?
Post by: oTurtlez on Tue, 30 July 2013, 12:17:15

Quote from: SonicRevolution on Tue, 30 July 2013, 12:15:03

Hey guys,

I'm trying to understand how the "big" boys make Cherry MX keycaps.  Do they use injection molding? Or some other fashion?  Any good resource for this?

Much appreciated!

-SonicRevolution

For doubleshots, SP uses injection molding. They only make 4 caps per injection too. I believe all caps in general are injection molded and then go off to be dye sublimated, lasered, engraved or what have you, unless it's a doubleshot, in which that happens during the injection process.

Title: Re: How are Cherry MX Keycap made in mass quanities?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Tue, 30 July 2013, 12:17:20

Look for the meetup thread at Signature Plastics. They have a lovely video on how their injection molding process works.

Title: Re: How are Cherry MX Keycap made in mass quanities?
Post by: Puddsy on Tue, 30 July 2013, 12:18:15

http://keycapsdirect.com/processes.php

Might like that link.

Title: Re: How are Cherry MX Keycap made in mass quanities?
Post by: SonicRevolution on Tue, 30 July 2013, 12:23:41

OMG You guys are amazing! THX

Title: Re: How are Cherry MX Keycap made in mass quanities?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 30 July 2013, 12:36:27

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34521.msg704016#msg704016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GOpj2Zgk710

Title: Re: How are Cherry MX Keycap made in mass quanities?
Post by: TheSoulhunter on Tue, 30 July 2013, 12:54:09