The art of adding dampening foam to mechanical keyboards is a method devised to enhance performance and acoustics. It plays an immense role in influencing the keys’ sound when typing, making a world of difference to the typing experience. This article will take you through steps, benefits, and considerations while adding dampening foam to your mechanical keyboard.
### What is Dampening Foam?
Dampening foam, or sound-deadening foam, is a material typically made of polyurethane, specifically designed to helm control, lessen, or manipulate sound. Unwanted vibrations and hollow pinging are subdued through this process, delivering a much cleaner, more sophisticated, and solid sound while typing. This process is particularly desirable amongst mechanical keyboard enthusiasts who wish to reduce sound from their keyboards without compromising on the feel or functionality.
### The Benefit of Dampening Foam
The primary benefit of dampening foam is noise reduction. Mechanical keyboards are inherently loud due to the mechanical switches underneath each keycap. The vibrations from these switches resonate within the casing of the keyboard, producing a ping sound that many users find distracting. By occupying the empty spaces inside the keyboard, dampening foam absorbs these vibrations, thereby reducing the ping and making the keyboard quieter.
Another advantage to adding foam to a mechanical keyboard is improvement in typing feel. With foam dampening, typing feedback becomes more solid and less hollow, enhancing the overall user experience. Though it’s essential to mention that this is highly subjective, some users define a good typing feel differently than others.
From an aesthetic standpoint, foam padding can improve the look of a keyboard. Some premium keyboards already come with foam padding; however, many affordable models don’t. As such, adding after-market foam padding can give your keyboard a more premium, custom-made look and feel.
### How to Add Dampening Foam to Mechanical Keyboards
Adding dampening foam to a mechanical keyboard involves a few steps:
#### Equipment
– Mechanical keyboard
– Screwdriver
– Dampening foam (0.1 inch – 0.4 inch recommended)
– Scissors or precision knife
– Tweezers
#### Steps
– __Dismantling__ – Start by turning off your keyboard. Flip it over and remove the screws to separate the backplate from the keyboard. Safely put the screws away, preferably in a magnet tray, so they don’t get lost.
– __Identifying Hollow Areas__ – After opening the keyboard, identify the hollow areas where the dampening foam will go. The best places to add foam are typically around the PCB (printed circuit board).
– __Cutting Foam__ – With the inner design of your keyboard as a reference, cut the foam to fit the hollow spaces ideally using scissors or a precision knife. Cutout parts of the foam to accommodate any protrusions on the inner part of the keyboard, such as screw holes and switch pins.
– __Placing the Foam__ – Place the foam pieces onto the hollow parts. Be careful not to cover any components that need cooling, like the microcontroller. Tweezers can be helpful for precision placement.
– __Reassembly__ – Once the foam is in place, put the backplate back on. Make sure all the switches align with their respective holes. Screw the keyboard back together, and your foam-damped mechanical keyboard is ready to use.
### Factors to Consider
As with any DIY project, there are a few considerations to keep in mind when adding dampening foam to your mechanical keyboard:
– __Foam Type__: The type of dampening foam you choose will significantly affect your results. There are different kinds of foam available, each designed for specific purposes. For instance, the neoprene foam is ideal for reducing vibrations, making it a good fit if your primary aim is to reduce noise. On the other hand, if you want to improve the ‘feel’ while typing, consider going for poron foam.
– __Foam Thickness__: The thickness of the foam can also influence the sound of the keyboard. As a rule of thumb, the thicker the foam, the more the resonance will be muffled. However, you also need to consider the space available in your keyboard case.
– __Compatibility__: Not all keyboards are compatible with foam damping. Some keyboards leave insufficient space between the PCB and the backplate, making it challenging to place the foam. Therefore, before proceeding, check your keyboard’s specifications and the required foam thickness.
– __Skill Level__: While adding dampening foam to a mechanical keyboard is a straightforward DIY process, it still requires a certain level of familiarity with keyboards’ inner workings. If you aren’t comfortable disassembling your keyboard, consider seeking help from someone experienced.
The art of dampening in a mechanical keyboard is not merely about reducing the sound; it’s about achieving a distinct sound and feel that suits your preference. For some, this may mean a softer ‘thud’, while for others, it’s a pure solid ‘clack’. Regardless of your choice, adding dampening foam grants you control over the level of noise your keyboard generates, making your typing experience more enjoyable and personalized.
In the field of mechanical keyboards, the process of foam dampening is still a relatively unexplored area with the scope for innovation and customizations. Experimenting with different types and thicknesses of foam can help you find the perfect balance of sound and typing feel that resonates with you. After all, in the world of mechanical keyboards, there’s no one-size-fits-all – it’s all about what works for you!
