Tactile feedback

[3dgeo]

Hi,

looking for tactile feel (no electrical contact) for a mechanical part I'm making. So far best idea I came up is to use tactile dome with center hole.

Looked around and found very few companies, one of them is Snaptron which has what I need BL12280
Sadly they hide their email and prices – that means they play only with big boys and their prices are high (please share if you know the prices). Other company – metals-domes.com is China based and offers 14mm domes fo 6.5ct/peace @10K – as I only need 1-2K they are not an option too.

Few times before members of this forum gave me a "out of the box" ideas so that's why I'm posting this.

I need a tactile feedback, have ~1 mm gap and 3mm metal rod that has to go through the dome.
I know it's a long shot, but at least I'm hoping to get insights on Snaptron or other manufacturers.

UPDATE: Got samples that seems to do the job (not from Snaptron):

[IDEngineer]

Snaptron will deal with smaller quantities. We just purchased just over 1000 pieces again. Delivery is 3-4 weeks ARO mostly due to the need to package them... we have them arranged on adhesive sheets for ease of use. Price is around 30 cents each. Give them a call, they're very nice and very helpful.

[3dgeo]

They hide their e-mail – call them from the other side of the world will be insanely expensive.
I can live with one of two – no price or no contacts, even tho they have exactly what I need hiding both shows me that they do not care about small orders.

Trying to source domes from China, on Alibaba there are venders that offers domes 0.5ct!, I can imagine quality will not be the same, but doubt it will be 100 worse (I'm assuming domes with holes will cost around 50ct from Snaptron).

[IDEngineer]

Can you buy standard snapdomes and drill/punch a hole in them yourself? Sounds like you only need a few anyway so some DIY might get you there.

[3dgeo]

I need few for testing, if they'll perform as expected I will need ~1000. Was thinking of drilling, but drilling will change their snappiness.

Found this today: http://www.clik-domes.com/s-range-with-hole-dome/
Looks like they have what I need.

[ebastler]

If Snapdome has the right product, but you don’t want to call them — what’s wrong with the contact form on their website?

[3dgeo]

Have you seen it? It's as if  applying for a government job, I think they forget to add that they need blood and piss samples...
I'm well over Snaprton, they can suck it with their bullshit contacts and their high prices.

Samples incoming from clik-domes.com, plus their price is only 4-5ct.

[ebastler]

Have you seen it? It's as if  applying for a government job, I think they forget to add that they need blood and piss samples...
I'm well over Snaprton, they can suck it with their bullshit contacts and their high prices.

Asking for a name, address, and email address, you mean? Outrageous!! 

[3dgeo]

Have you seen it? It's as if  applying for a government job, I think they forget to add that they need blood and piss samples...
I'm well over Snaprton, they can suck it with their bullshit contacts and their high prices.

Asking for a name, address, and email address, you mean? Outrageous!! 

You conveniently skipped all other crap... I sincerely questioning why are you here? Don't you have better things to do with your life cuz you're definitely not helping, just starting meaningless argument that will lead nowhere...

[ebastler]

You conveniently skipped all other crap... I sincerely questioning why are you here? Don't you have better things to do with your life cuz you're definitely not helping, just starting meaningless argument that will lead nowhere...

I had simply pointed out the existence of the web form. I honestly thought you might have overlooked it on their web page, as you mentioned an expensive phone call as the only way to contact them. It was you who flew off the handle right away, complaining about a "bullshit" form.

I still don't know what form you are looking at, or what issues you have with it. But frankly, I no longer care.

[Northy]

What is the reliability like of this type of button?
Just wondering as a possible way of building something in the future. 

G

[3dgeo]

What is the reliability like of this type of button?
Just wondering as a possible way of building something in the future. 

G

Hey,
I would say domes are very reliable (I guess quality may vary depending on manufacturer). Domes are used pretty widely even these days and in way more devices than you can imagine. Phones with buttons uses/used domes. Most momentary button have a dome in it.

Dave made a vidoe on domes.

[tooki]

They hide their e-mail – call them from the other side of the world will be insanely expensive.

Ummm what? Surely you’re aware of the myriad ways of making cheap or free overseas calls. Only a fool would pay phone company long distance prices.

[3dgeo]

Took some time, but I finally got samples, looks and feels really nice, seems to be good quality. Will be tessting reliability, but I think I found what I was looking for. I'm really happy I didn't have to do business with snaptron.