This is a multi-post so bear with me. In it I'll answer these questions

• Is it the springs or domes that determines the key feel of a Topre?
• Will your board corrode and be worthless in 10 years?
  • Why do the keys feel so solid?
    
• How to mod the Realforce for different key weighting
• Tips on putting the board together
  

If you haven't already check out Realforce 87U opened up first. In it I wondered why the springs were so wimpy but didn't have a measurement device. For Keyboard Science to advance we just needed the RipOmeter.

These ARE wimpy springs:



Let's check and see if the 5 gms is about right with the keys on. Simple - just check with RipOmeter with springs under domes and springs out of the domes.
With spring 35g

Without spring 30g


Red Esc with spring 55g

Red Esc without spring 50g


I think you're getting the point. The spring adds maybe 5g of force but the real difference in the key weighting on the Realforce boards must be the rubber domes.

Let's answer the question about whether Topre boards are affected by corrosion. In the "87U opened up" thread there is a discussion about the patent and how the capacitance is caused by the spring.

Here's the PCB

eww... what's the fuzzball doing there?

And the spring on PCB


Now using my trusty ol Fluke the spring is conductive but the PCB pad is not exposed. SO if you do spill something on this board you may fry the electronics but the board is not susceptible to corrosion - probably the most common failure in keyboards. Pretty slick.

NEXT post: keys, mods, and other tips.

Attached Images

	FLA_3527.jpg (180.3 KB, 2828 views)
	FLA_3529.jpg (169.0 KB, 2837 views)
	FLA_3538.jpg (155.2 KB, 2817 views)
	FLA_3537.jpg (120.6 KB, 12777 views)

Created by ripster, 28 June 2009 at 21:18 Last edited by ripster, 15 March 2010 at 23:44 Last comment by wellington1869 on 13 July 2009 at 18:15 44 Comments, 7,963 Views