"Quiet Touch" -> buckling springs

[iMav]

I'm going to be retro-fitting one of my "Quiet Touch technology" M5-2's (see Unicomp's On-the-Ball keyboard) to buckling springs.  So I figured I'd document it here.  

Here's the keyboard:





And here's what actuates the membrane switch (pushes the two membrane sheets together):



The backplate came off without issue:



And here are the membrane sheets:

[lam47]

Good luck on this. I will be keeping an eye for sure.

[bigpook]

Same here. Hope it turns out all right.

[iMav]

I also happened upon another Model M2 which has "quiet touch".  I will be retro-fitting that one with buckling springs as well.  (a much easier project since there is no metal backplate and plastic rivets to deal with)  Keys and rubber actuation sheet (whatever you want to call it) are exactly the same as on the Model M5-2.

[iMav]

Looks like this project is dead.  Unicomp won't sell the neoprene sheet that sits between the buckling spring assemblies and the membrane sheets.  They will sell the entire assembly (backplate, top, and innards all assembled), but it seems silly to replace everything but the shell.

Speaking of which, I would have to replace the controller as well.  According to Unicomp:

Also, the rubberdome controller used in the keyboard you have is different than the controller used on buckling spring keyboards. Again, the controller will work but you will be compromising performance. The switch timing and debounce algorithms are completely different between the 2 keyboards.

I found that quite interesting.

[bigpook]

It blows my mind how all that works. There are so many things going on that I am not even aware of.
The fact that the character appears on the screen in the first place is magic to me, now you are talking about switch timing and "debounce algorithms". Thats something else.

[lowpoly]

Looks like this project is dead. Unicomp won't sell the neoprene sheet that sits between the buckling spring assemblies and the membrane sheets.

Maybe cut it yourself from a piece of sheet rubber or neoprene?

[wellington1869]

It blows my mind how all that works. There are so many things going on that I am not even aware of.
The fact that the character appears on the screen in the first place is magic to me, now you are talking about switch timing and "debounce algorithms". Thats something else.

Its sorcery, I tell ya.  In another age comp sci folk would have been burned at the stake for all this magic.

[lam47]

Well that's a shame. I was looking forward to seeing this.
Out of interest do the Unicomp springs feel/sound much different to the original IBM ones?

[bigpook]

Its sorcery, I tell ya.  In another age comp sci folk would have been burned at the stake for all this magic.

Sadly, that is so true.

[iMav]

I'd still have to rape a controller from a buckling spring 'board (although I'm not convinced that they are programmed differently...even though Unicomp says so).  

I might try to find some similar material, or go looking for a Model M is very poor condition to take from...and take my chances with the controller for now.

[bhtooefr]

lam47: IMO, yes.

My blue-logo IBM US 1391401, blue-logo white-chassis Lexmark M13, and Unicomp EnduraPro all sound and feel different.

[wellington1869]

Well that's a shame. I was looking forward to seeing this.
Out of interest do the Unicomp springs feel/sound much different to the original IBM ones?

definitely. I had an endurapro, and the springs were lighter and the keys themselves were flimsier and the sound was very different from the old model M I had. (On the endurapro the sound was higher in tone, bottom out clack was way louder).
Basically i really preferred the M. That said, I know there are people on geekhack who have preferred the lighter feel (and even the higher-tone sound) of the unicomp boards.

[iMav]

I've compared the buckling spring assemblies you can purchase from Unicomp with ones from older Model M's and I can't tell a difference.  

Could simply be the difference in age and, possibly, differences with the rest of the keyboard and keycaps.

[bhtooefr]

I do recall reading somewhere that IBM allowed a 30% variance in spring weights, IIRC, though. And, usually the Lexmark boards are considered to feel worse.

[bigpook]

I do recall reading somewhere that IBM allowed a 30% variance in spring weights, IIRC, though. And, usually the Lexmark boards are considered to feel worse.

I don't know about that. I have a lexmark model m mini and it has excellent feel. Its on par with my IBM model M's....YMMV though.

[lam47]

I'm just after a way to even out the keys on my M you see.

[iMav]

I'm just after a way to even out the keys on my M you see.

I wouldn't hesitate to crack it open and get replacement buckling springs if you want.  Alternatively, you can order the entire frame assembly (blackplate, buckling spring assemblies, membrane sheets, etc) as a single assembled item for around $20 from Unicomp.  (I was quoted $25 for the frame assembly and a set of black, blank keys)

[lam47]

I wouldn't hesitate to crack it open and get replacement buckling springs if you want.  Alternatively, you can order the entire frame assembly (blackplate, buckling spring assemblies, membrane sheets, etc) as a single assembled item for around $20 from Unicomp.  (I was quoted $25 for the frame assembly and a set of black, blank keys)

Now thats a bargain.
The only problem would be shipping to the UK.
Damn I wish I lived in America.
And are these keys the whole keys? Are they single piece or with removable caps?
Seems cheap either way.

Would save a lot of work drilling the old black plastic top plate and bolting it all back together.

Hmm. Very interesting.

[Chloe]

Is that a four button trackball?

[iMav]

And are these keys the whole keys? Are they single piece or with removable caps?

The solid black ones are only available in the one piece keys.  They have the ivory ones (labeled or blank) in either the single or two piece keys (removable key caps).

[iMav]

I think I'll take my chances with the controller and order one frame assembly and keys to see how it turns out.  If it works out well, I'll pass it on to a geekhack member and then do the other three.  (these are brand new M5-2's...so with the new frame assembly, they will be brand new "on-the-ball" Unicomp boards...with buckling springs).

[lam47]

I think I'll take my chances with the controller and order one frame assembly and keys to see how it turns out.  If it works out well, I'll pass it on to a geekhack member and then do the other three.  (these are brand new M5-2's...so with the new frame assembly, they will be brand new "on-the-ball" Unicomp boards...with buckling springs).

WOW! that would be nice
I like the sound of blank ivory keys!
Im going to have to get some cash together

[lowpoly]

Is that a four button trackball?

IIRC, the 3rd and 4th button are 'click and hold' to make dragging easier.

[Chloe]

Thanks lowpoly. It seems a strange place to put a trackball.

[iMav]

There are four more buttons on the back side.  

[lam47]

These look so cool.
Personally I think its more than worth while BSifying them.
And at $25 for the innards its cheap too.
GO IMAV!

[lam47]

Any progress iMav. Looking forward to seeing it done

[iMav]

Any progress iMav. Looking forward to seeing it done

I received two frame assemblies from Unicomp.  However, I am missing the appropriate connectors/cables, so I need to touch base with Unicomp on monday to see what is up.

I'll keep everyone posted.

[iMav]

FYI, here are the frame assemblies I received from Unicomp:

[lowpoly]

Those look very, very nice.

One ANSI, one ISO?

[iMav]

Those look very, very nice.

One ANSI, one ISO?

Yep!

[lam47]

They look very cool with the blank key caps!
can't wait to see one all together.
Superb.