Algodoo

Nice demo!

I noticed that only the bottom two switches employ the snap-action mechanism which gives the contacts some hysteresis, which (I believe) is more desirable in most applications.

Very cool I personally own a cherry MX blue switch keyboard

Xray, I'm not quite sure what you mean.

The bottom two switches have that extra block that snap down independent of the button that gets pushed. That's what gives these the "click" sound, which not only gives tactile feedback, but it also provides hysteresis for the contacts. Without hysteresis, you can slowly press down on the button, and when the contacts are right at the point of making contact, you can stop pressing the button and hold the contact in a position where it is barely making contact. That poor contact can lead to arcing and/or a noisy signal getting to the electronic circuit. With hysteresis, You cannot hold the contacts in a position where they are barely making contact because the mechanism will SNAP the contacts closed and open. Search on "hysteresis" pertaining to electrical contacts and it might become clear if my explanation was confusing or not very helpful.

Ahhh okay yeah I see what you mean. and you're totally right. I have just never heard the word "hysteresis" before and wasn't quite sure what it meant.

But yeah you're totally right, however that is actually the main problem with blue and green switches because in games you have to bring the key all the way back up before you can make contact again, making it harder to press keys fast. With all the other types of switches, especially red and black, you can hover right above the actuation point and rapidly press the keys. And there really ins't any noticeable "noise" either. If there is it's very hard to notice.

By the way, not sure if you've ever looked into mechanical keyboards or own one but you totally should. They may be on the pricey side but they will change your life lol.

Oh, sure... I can see where keys without hysteresis are more desirable for gamers for the reasons you mentioned.

I do not currently own a mechanical keyboard but I surely have used them over the years. Before those cheap membrane switches came out, all keyboards either had mechanical switches, or they used magnetic reed switches. There are a few other exotic technologies that have been used for keyboard switches in special applications, but they aren't used commercially because of cost or complexity. I have been in electronics during all of my life (except when I was in diapers) and so I have seen many different types of switches for keyboards and for many other purposes. I'm not an expert, but I do consider it a fascinating subject!

linear

fixed

Hey, I wanted to ask if I could use GIFs of these switches. I've been crediting you and using the old ones, but I'd love to get the updates out to the internet.

Let me know! - andrew@massdrop.com