Cupid Switch 9/23 update

In March, during a casual discussion about the Cupid65, we started talking about switches.
Just like Cupid has his golden arrows, we thought Cupid65 should also have a fitting weapon—a companion switch that feels just right.
With this in mind, we reached out to JWK factory. JWK is an excellent switch manufacturer that has provided the custom market with many outstanding switches. That's why we chose JWK as our manufacturing partner for this project.

When it comes to materials, We initially wanted to use a stiffer stem, which led me to choose POK. However, due to the friction coefficient between the materials, even with the smoothness achieved by JWK switches, it would be difficult to guarantee with just pure POM for the top and bottom housings. Therefore, the selection and combination of materials for the housings became crucial.

As the companion switch to Cupid, it was essential for the sound of the switch to be “Hi-fi” enough. It's true that nowadays, hi-fi switches are becoming more powerful, and the sound improvements are quite enjoyable. However, we didn't want to simply join in on the hype without any meaningful enhancements. Therefore, we made several optimizations in the structure of the switch:

Firstly, we incorporated the essential feature of a hi-fi switch, which is a flat bottom when bottoming out.

Secondly, we reduced the amount of plastic at the contact point between the stem column and the stem. The idea here was inspired by the shape of a drum, with thicker sides and a thinner center, to allow the sound to fully resonate.

Thirdly, we further increased the contact area between the stem column and the stem. The inner diameter of our stem column is 1.2mm (typically 1mm), and the flat bottom inner diameter of the stem is 2.08mm. This adjustment was made to achieve a more concentrated sound.

Firstly, we conducted an analysis and testing to identify the factors contributing to the metallic sound, such as the fixation method of the leaf, its range of movement, material properties, and the level of contact between the stem and the leaf during operation. Through extensive testing, we discovered that adjusting the curvature of the leaf and reducing the contact area between the stem and the leaf can effectively reduce the metallic sound.

Secondly, we introduced a completely new leaf structure. Based on the test results, we redesigned the leaf for the Cupid switch. The new mold optimizes the bending angle of the leaf to minimize the contact area between the stem and the leaf, reducing the chances of rubbing between them during the stem's travel. This design ensures that the stem quickly separates from the leaf after brief contact, significantly reducing the vibration and resulting metallic sound.

JWK’s switches have always been known for their excellent smoothness, which can be attributed to two main factors

High precision in mold manufacturing: JWK pays great attention to the precision and quality of their molds. The molds used in the production process are finely crafted, ensuring a high level of consistency and smoothness in the switches.

Implementation of lubrication additives: JWK has mastered the art of incorporating lubrication additives into their switch materials. This process, commonly referred to as "modification" in the industry, enhances the smoothness and reduces friction between the moving parts of the switch, resulting in a smoother typing experience.

We have chosen the vibrant and passionate colors of Pale Pink and Viva Magenta as the primary colors for our Cupid switches. The Magenta color is inspired by this year's Pantone Color of the Year, 18-1750 - Viva Magenta. It is a color that falls between red and purple, exuding energy, enthusiasm, bravery, and inspiring hearts. Just like Cupid, it encourages people to boldly express themselves and convey their emotions to others.

In addition to the regular quality control procedures carried out on the factory assembly line, we are implementing a manual full inspection for each Cupid switch.

We believe in delivering a product that is ready to use out of the box, and we want our customers to have a seamless experience with the Cupid switches. Therefore, our team conducts a thorough manual inspection of each switch to ensure its quality and performance.