Editing Bottom out

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To '''bottom out''' a [[keyswitch]] means to fully depress it. Membrane [[rubber dome]] switches require the switch to be bottomed out to [[actuation|actuate]], as this is the point when the [[contact mechanism#Membrane|membrane]] layers are pressed together. Quality switches typically actuate before they are fully depressed, and bottoming out becomes unnecessary, and is considered by some to slow down the typist: they may release a key once it actuates, but before it bottoms out.

With some switches, bottoming out brings the [[slider]] to a hard stop, jolting one's finger. Aftermarket [[Damping#Soft-landing pads|soft-landing pads]] can be fitted to the keyboard to soften the impact of bottoming out. Alternatively, switches with a high final [[force]] (e.g. [[Cherry MX Clear]]) can reduce or prevent bottoming out.

While this would seem to be a comparatively modern term, it was used as far back as 1978, being found in the [[MEI Sabrecoil]] patent.

[[Category:Keyboard terms]]