A keycap is a small cover of plastic, metal, or other material placed over the keyswitch of a computer keyboard. Keycaps are often illustrated to indicate the key function or alphanumeric character they correspond to. Early keyboards were manufactured with the keyswitch and keycap integrated in one unit; keycaps separate from the switch were introduced to facilitate the production of different keyboard layouts.
Typical keycaps in the 1970s and 1980s were produced using two-shot molding, with the markings molded into each keycap in a different color of plastic. This eventually fell out of favor, as it was more expensive (particularly in tooling costs), and tended to produce keycaps more durable than the equipment on which they were mounted. Modern keycaps are usually labelled by stamping or laser engraving. [1] However, two-shot molding ("doubleshot") keycaps are still available today, [2] known for their feel [3] and general durability.
Keycaps can be bought in replacement sets for a keyboard. Notably, replacement sets are frequently sold for keyboards that use Cherry MX-style stems. Custom sets are bought and sold within the enthusiast communities, and artisan keycaps [4] can be purchased individually. Some artisan keycaps are cast into unique shapes such as LEGO [5]
Keycaps are sold in printed and unprinted varieties. The unprinted variety, known as "Blank Keycaps," is said to promote touch typing and help build muscle memory because the user is forced to rely on motion rather than visuals. There are many designs for you to choose from. From anime design, bi-color design, game-based design, and even custom keycap [6] as you wish. However, within the modern mechanical keyboard community, unprinted caps are typically chosen for their visual appeal.
The most common plastics used are ABS, PBT and POM (see the materials section). The top of most keycaps may be described as cylinder-shaped (curving to the sides as if a fat cylinder was resting on it), flat or spherical (curving to the top, bottom and sides as if a large sphere was resting on it). The modern preference is for cylinder-shaped keycaps rather than spherical ones, but laptop keys are often flat.
Keycaps materials vary among the brands and provide different feels, durability, damage resistance, and other properties.
| Material | Description |
|---|---|
| ABS | This is commonly used for keyboard casings and keys. It is a comparatively soft material compared to some modern plastics but is tough and resistant to breakage. Topre casings are made of ABS and IBM Model Ms are as well. Filco and Das keys are made of ABS as are most keys that ship with the keyboard purchased. It has a bit of a "slick" feeling. For example, Lego is made of ABS. [7] |
| PBT | PBT is a harder long-wearing material with a "sandier" feel and should not yellow as much as ABS over time. The downside is the brittle nature of PBT and expense, so most keyboard manufacturers do not use this for either keyboard cases or keys. Exceptions are some Cherry/Poker/Leopold keys and IBM/Unicomp keys. [8] |
| POM | Better known by the brand name "Delrin", it is an abrasion-resistant, solvent-resistant and low-friction material. However, it is expensive and not common. Found use in older black Cherry G80 keycaps and the discontinued Nopoo Chocolate keyboards. Keycool used to use with their keyboards but is now phasing it out. [9] Currently, Vortex is using POM as the lettering infill on their Backlit Doubleshot PBT/POM Keys. [10] Cherry MX key casings are made of POM Chemical Testing, [11] as are the stems Cherry Labeling on MY steB. [12] |
| PC | Tough clear plastic. Used for translucent keys like this Signature Plastic keyset. [13] [14] |
Printing of numbers, letters, and symbols on the keycaps is done using pad printing, laser etching, or dye sublimation.
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Pad printing | This is the cheapest and most common. |
| Dye sublimation | Dye sublimation is more expensive and only done by a few companies such as Topre, ZF Electronics (Cherry), and Unicomp. |
| Laser etching | A strong laser is used to print characters onto keycaps. [1] |
| Double shot | The most expensive and durable process: each outer keycap has its legend physically moulded into it, and the legend is then created by injecting a different piece of plastic into the keycap from the inside. This means that there is no chance of the legend ever fading or getting removed, even as the keycap wears down. |
As its name suggests, the easiest way to compare key profiles is to look at them from the side. The keyboard profile refers to the profile shapes of each row of keycaps. With different profiles, keys can vary in size, shape, and thickness. When (most) modern key sets vary in profile from row to row, this is called a sculpted profile. [15] [16] [17]
The technology of computer keyboards includes many elements. Among the more important of these is the switch technology that they use. Computer alphanumeric keyboards typically have 80 to 110 durable switches, generally one for each key. The choice of switch technology affects key response and pre-travel. Virtual keyboards on touch screens have no physical switches and provide audio and haptic feedback instead. Some newer keyboard models use hybrids of various technologies to achieve greater cost savings or better ergonomics.
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) (chemical formula (C8H8)x·(C4H6)y·(C3H3N)z ) is a common thermoplastic polymer. Its glass transition temperature is approximately 105 °C (221 °F). ABS is amorphous and therefore has no true melting point.
A chiclet keyboard is a computer keyboard with keys that form an array of small, flat rectangular or lozenge-shaped rubber or plastic keys that look like erasers or "Chiclets", a brand of chewing gum manufactured in the shape of small squares with rounded corners. It is an evolution of the membrane keyboard, using the same principle of a single rubber sheet with individual electrical switches underneath each key, but with the addition of an additional upper layer which provides superior tactile feedback through a buckling mechanism. The term "chiclet keyboard" is sometimes incorrectly used to refer to island keyboards.
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Model Mkeyboards are a group of computer keyboards designed and manufactured by IBM starting in 1985, and later by Lexmark International, Maxi Switch, and Unicomp. The keyboard's many variations have their own distinct characteristics, with the vast majority having a buckling-spring key design and swappable keycaps. Model M keyboards are notable among computer enthusiasts and frequent typists due to their durability, typing-feel consistency, and their tactile and auditory feedback.
Polyoxymethylene (POM), also known as acetal, polyacetal, and polyformaldehyde, is an engineering thermoplastic used in precision parts requiring high stiffness, low friction, and excellent dimensional stability. As with many other synthetic polymers, it is produced by different chemical firms with slightly different formulas and sold variously by such names as Delrin, Kocetal, Ultraform, Celcon, Ramtal, Duracon, Kepital, Polypenco, Tenac and Hostaform.
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Das Keyboard is a series of computer keyboards sold by Metadot Corporation, a software company located in Austin, Texas. Some models feature blank keycaps, made with the purpose of improving touch typing skills. The current iterations employ mechanical keyswitches manufactured by either Cherry or Greetech. "The keyboard" in German is "die Tastatur", not "das Tastatur".
PCD Maltron Ltd, trading as Maltron, is a manufacturer of ergonomic special-needs keyboards. It was founded by South African-born inventor Lillian Malt and manufacturer Stephen Hobday. Maltron specialises in making keyboards for the prevention and etiological treatment of repetitive strain injury.
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A computer keyboard is a peripheral input device modeled after the typewriter keyboard which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches. Replacing early punched cards and paper tape technology, interaction via teleprinter-style keyboards have been the main input method for computers since the 1970s, supplemented by the computer mouse since the 1980s.
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A spherical roller thrust bearing is a rolling-element bearing of thrust type that permits rotation with low friction, and permits angular misalignment. The bearing is designed to take radial loads, and heavy axial loads in one direction. Typically these bearings support a rotating shaft in the bore of the shaft washer that may be misaligned in respect to the housing washer. The misalignment is possible due to the spherical internal shape of the house washer.
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