What's the average actuation force of a rubber dome?

[Moleboy]

I've googled around, and couldn't get a sufficient answer :-/ So does anyone know?

=D

[nsrexler]

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.

[fohat.digs]

Also, rather than "actuating" some sort of mechanism, you are forcing the dome collapse, so it is inherently less predictable.

[ideus]

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

[davkol]

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.

[Abacus1234]

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...

[tp4tissue]

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

[vipjun]

scissor switches feel to be about 65 - 75.