- Appearance - Specifications - Material - Sampling and Modification - Social
Hi mechanical keyboard community, this is ClickClack and we are excited to bring to you the new Ripple Switch by J Lab! “Water nurtures all things” is the slogan of this switch, featuring a milky-white top housing paired with a light aqua-blue bottom housing evokes a sense of “flowing water” akin to the overall theme of the Ripple Switch in terms of sound and visuals.
Specifications
Price: $0.42/switch Versions: Factory Lubed and Non-Lubed Starting in-stock sale date: 29th March 2024
The 20mm, 58g single-stage spring complements the 3.5mm total travel, ensuring it’s neither too stiff or too light, making it an excellent daily driver with comfortable range.
Materials
Selection of materials primarily focuses on engineering plastics with a small amount of high-performance engineering plastics. The choice of thermoplastic plastics is made since the plastics part of the switch are produced by injection-molding.
99% of businesses in the market lack polymerization capabilities, so when we talk about modification, it usually refers to blend modification. Common additives used to reduce friction coefficient include: PTFE, polyorganosiloxane (silicone oil), perfluoropolyether (fluorine oil), graphite, molybdenum disulfide, aramid fibers, etc. PTFE lubrication is suitable for reducing friction between plastics and metals.
Considering the damping characteristic of the semi-silent structure, POK material was chosen for the stem instead of POM due to its higher impact strength and better toughness. Furthermore, to improve smoothness, a modified formula patented by Xiaoxing in South Korea, incorporating a certain proportion of organic silicon elastomer, is used.
For the bottom housing, in the initial design stage, strength and heat deformation temperature were the primary considerations. Therefore, the most mature solution in the industry: nylon with 30% glass fiber reinforcement is chosen.
Sampling and Modification
SWK has invested significant time and effort in R&D, from selecting mold steel and plastic materials to lubricants. They participated in the entire process, and we express our gratitude for SWK's cooperation!
We have conducted numerous sample tests and material adjustments with SWK, trying almost all available material combinations to select the best one. This switch meets excellent standards in various aspects: smooth feel, moderate pressure, noticeable bottom-out feedback without being too hard. We must mention SWK's deep understanding of materials, which has greatly benefited us.
The semi-silent design (hollowing out the upper part of the guide rail where it contacts the upper housing) reduces contact area, effectively solving the problem of stem rebound noise against the upper housing.
The factory lubrication of this switch can meet the needs of most players (including those accustomed to hand lubrication). During the sampling period, we continuously adjusted and tested, lubricating only a small amount of the stems and guide rails. This ensured that the final result has almost no extraneous noise when pressed and installed, ensuring a smooth and quiet experience.
Social
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