Difference between revisions of "Switch mount"
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| − | :The [[Cherry MX]] switch in particular can normally not be opened up while it is mounted into the steel plate. The switch must be desoldered and removed from the board in order to open up the switch for maintenance and [[:Category:Keyboard_modding|modification]]. | + | :The [[Cherry MX]] switch in particular can normally not be opened up while it is mounted into the steel plate. The switch must be desoldered and removed from the board in order to open up the switch for maintenance and [[:Category:Keyboard_modding|modification]]. The mounting plates of some enthusiast keyboards, notably the [[Phantom]], have specially shaped mounting holes that allow the switch to be opened while still soldered in place. |
:[[Alps CM]] switches are not restricted in this way: the upper shell of the switch can be released while the switch is still fully mounted. | :[[Alps CM]] switches are not restricted in this way: the upper shell of the switch can be released while the switch is still fully mounted. | ||
Revision as of 00:35, 11 December 2012
Switch mount refers to the method by which discrete switches are mounted into the keyboard. Typically, each switch is soldered onto a printed circuit board (PCB). Switches held in place by the PCB alone are said to be PCB-mounted.
It is more common in contemporary keyboards however for switches to also be secured into holes in a metal plate. In this arrangement, the switches are said to be plate-mounted.
Most switch types are either made for PCB-mounting or plate-mounting, but the Cherry MX switch can be either. Versions intended for PCB-mounting have extra prongs in the circuit board and often a jumper or diode in the switch soldered to the PCB to increase the key's stability. In many keyboards such as those of the Cherry G80 series and the Poker, this is considered to be adequate.
Methods
Plate mount
PCB mount
PCB-mounted Cherry MX Blue switches
Viewed from the top
Case mount
Acer switches are a hybrid design which combine discrete switches with a membrane layer. The discrete switches are mounted directly into the upper shell of the keyboard itself.
Acer switches as seen from below
Comparison
- Rigidity
- Plate-mounted keyboards are more rigid and sturdy than PCB-mounted keyboards, as well as being heavier.
- Keyfeel
- The steel plate keeps the switches perfectly rigid, and this leads to Cherry MX-based boards having a particularly sharp landing; the subtle flex of the PCB when typing on a PCB-mounted board helps alleviate this problem for typists who bottom out the switches.
- Noise level
- The type of switch mount affects the noise level of the keyboard according to the switch type: the steel plate increases the volume of Cherry MX-based boards, while it is reported to reduce the volume of Topre switch boards.
- Switch access
- The Cherry MX switch in particular can normally not be opened up while it is mounted into the steel plate. The switch must be desoldered and removed from the board in order to open up the switch for maintenance and modification. The mounting plates of some enthusiast keyboards, notably the Phantom, have specially shaped mounting holes that allow the switch to be opened while still soldered in place.
- Alps CM switches are not restricted in this way: the upper shell of the switch can be released while the switch is still fully mounted.
