Editing Damping (section)

===O-rings===
Small rubber '''O-rings''' can be fitted around a key stem to cushion the impact of bottoming out: Instead of the slider reaching its bottom, the O-ring hits the switch housing.

The effect of using O-rings is a distinctly cushioned landing when bottoming out, when the O-ring makes contact with the switch housing around the slider. The resulting reduced travel (related to the diameter of the O-ring's cross section) and feel is similar to typing on some scissor switch keyboards.

On [[Cherry MX]] and [[:Category:Clones of Cherry MX switches|clones]], O-rings are fitted inside keycap stems against the internal struts in the keycap.
Keycaps without internal supports around the stem are not suitable.
The O-ring must be pushed some distance up into the keycap, otherwise it completely impedes slider motion.

The thickness of the O-ring should match the keycap used, or it will impede key travel (and feel) too much or not cushion at all.

[[OEM profile]] keycaps are typically used with thicker silicone O-rings. [[WASD Keyboards]] rate their own O-rings as follows:<ref>WASD Keyboards — [http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/cherry-mx-rubber-switch-dampeners.html Cherry MX Rubber O-Ring Switch Dampeners (125pcs)]</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! Part number !! Hardness !! Travel reduction
|-
|| 40A-R || 40A || 0.4mm
|-
|| 40A-L || 40A || 0.2mm
|}

Cherry-profile is more often used with orthodontic bands: very thin O-rings originally intended for dental braces. The size to get is ''3/16" Medium''.

<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:O-rings.jpg|O-rings
File:O-rings fitted.jpg|O-rings fitted to keycaps
</gallery>