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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Row009 on Sun, 28 August 2016, 19:47:38

Title: Are "Linear" switches actually linear?
Post by: Row009 on Sun, 28 August 2016, 19:47:38

Shouldn't the spring have more resistance the more it is pushed down?

Title: Re: Are "Linear" switches actually linear?
Post by: emdude on Sun, 28 August 2016, 20:01:43

Yes, but the increase in resistance is proportional to the travel, so the force curve is linear, more or less.  For example the force curve for Cherry MX Black switches:

(http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/media/guide/graph-mx-black.jpg)

Title: Re: Are "Linear" switches actually linear?
Post by: Row009 on Sun, 28 August 2016, 20:11:32

Quote from: emdude on Sun, 28 August 2016, 20:01:43

Yes, but the increase in resistance is proportional to the travel, so the force curve is linear, more or less.  For example the force curve for Cherry MX Black switches:

Show Image

(http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/media/guide/graph-mx-black.jpg)

Oh, right. I totally got it mixed up... It was linear increase... for some reason I was thinking of a none progressing line. My bad.

Title: Re: Are "Linear" switches actually linear?
Post by: klennkellon on Sun, 28 August 2016, 23:44:43

Also, linear Alps have a very tiny bump as the slider clears the switchplate.