Need help finding part (plunger over push button)

Other Hardware General Electronics
1

I've been searching without an answer. I have these tactile switches:


The little golden dome is too small for finger tips. I have to press the buttons with my nail. I am looking for plungers over these buttons. I have been looking on digikey but couldn't find something for this type of buttons. I need some help finding plungers/caps for them. Thanks. I can make a laser cut panel if needed.

I remember that desktop LCD monitors use this type of buttons. They have all button caps mounted on one clear plastic piece. The piece has a frame with places to attach the button caps. And the places are on the ends of thin long thus springy paths to allow the caps to travel towards the buttons. I really have no idea what that plastic piece is called. Searched fruitlessly for that. Any help naming that part too?

2

I use these switches a lot. They have a lot of different buttons available: round ones in different colours and square ones in limited colours.

You can also specify different lengths, depending on how far off the panel the PCB sits. Check out the datasheet for that switch.

3

Thanks. I considered the following:

I have used the thru hole version and with various color caps. But this is the same 6mmX6mm thru hole buttons I used for the same design. The thing is, this one requires more space than the thru hole ones. I'm out of space so I picked the smaller and thinner metal ones. I'll try rotating the buttons 45 degrees to see if I can fit the larger 6mm*6mm SMD ones.

4

For switches like that, the plunger is typically part of the product housing - look at most consumer electronics. The control panel has little molded buttons, connected to the case via flexible linkage, and with a pokey part coming out the back to reach the button.

I don't think you can get keycaps for that specific kind, though there's a kind with the same footprint but a taller button where it might be possible to make something for.

The 3x6mm rectangular buttons I find easy to press without tools. I don't know if others feel similarly.

5

I've 3D-printed cases with buttons integral to the front panel which reach down a 'leg' that touches the switch. I've even done sliding switches this way.