As the primary input device, the design and manufacturing process of computer keyboards heavily depends on mould design. Excellentkeyboard mouldsnot only directly influence the appearance quality of the keyboard but also significantly impact the user experience. This article will delve into several key points in the design of computerkeyboard mouldsto help manufacturers improve product quality and market competitiveness.
Computerkeyboard mouldstypically consist of three parts: the upper shell, lower shell, and keys. The quality of the keys determines the overall user experience of the keyboard. Therefore, reasonable selection of materials and design structure is crucial. In most cases, the key material selected is ABS, with a shrinkage rate of1.005, suitable for injection moulding of small plastic parts. During the design process, the size and shape of the plastic part, as well as the internal undercut structure, must be considered.
When designingkeyboard moulds, attention must be paid to handling undercuts. Due to limited space, traditional slide core pulling or angled ejection methods are difficult to implement, thus requiring a secondary ejection design. This design effectively resolves the demoulding issues of plastic parts, ensuring precise moulding of each key. Additionally, the combination design of elastic direct ejection and round ejector pins provides sufficient deformation space for undercut positions, ensuring smooth demoulding.
Injection moulding is the core process for producingkeyboard moulds. Rational mould design can improve production efficiency and reduce material waste. In the design ofkeyboard moulds, it is recommended to adopt a21-cavity layout, which allows the production of multiple keys in the same cycle, thereby increasing production efficiency.
The design of the runner system is also extremely important during the injection process. Normally, a thin runner gate is chosen to ensure the smooth flow of the plastic melt. Additionally, using a side gate that enters from the edge of the plastic part helps avoid bubbles and defects, enhancing the appearance quality of the keys. After the injection moulding process is complete, the runners and gates are punched out manually to ensure product cleanliness.
The force and operational comfort of the keys are important parameters that affect the user experience. When designingkeyboard moulds, the height of the column position at the center of the key directly affects the key force. Therefore, the tolerance of the glue height of the inserting pin must be strictly controlled within ±0.02to ensure the flexibility and comfort of the key operation.
In addition, high-quality key design also needs to pay attention to the surface treatment of the keys. High-quality keyboards typically use laser-etched characters, effectively preventing character wear, while inferior keyboards mostly use silk-screen characters, which easily wear off after a period of use. Therefore, mould design should consider subsequent oil spraying and laser engraving processes to provide users with a higher quality experience.
The design of computerkeyboard mouldsis a complex and meticulous process that covers aspects such as material selection, injection moulding technology, and user experience. Through rational mould design, manufacturers can improve the overall quality of keyboards and meet market demands. In the fierce market competition, paying attention to the details of mould design can help companies achieve breakthroughs in quality and performance, and realize better economic benefits. By continuously optimizingkeyboard mouldsdesigns, future keyboard products will better meet consumer expectations and needs.
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