In the cleanroom of Zhuhai Hengcang Electronics, robotic arms install key switches onto circuit boards with micron-level precision. Thousands of keyboards roll off the production line here daily, bound for global markets.
In 2023, Hengcang Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. was granted a patent for a "Device for Forming Keyboard Casings via Aluminum Alloy Profile Extrusion." This technology uses extrusion molds to rapidly shape casing contours, significantly boosting keyboard casing processing efficiency. It is just one of the 19 patents held by this national high-tech enterprise.
Founded in 2018 as an innovative SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprise), Hengcang has carved out a niche in the competitive keyboard manufacturing sector through solid technical accumulation and strict quality management.
01 Corporate Technical Foundation: Patent Layout & Quality Control
Since its establishment, Hengcang has prioritized technological innovation as the core driver of development. By 2024, the company had obtained 19 authorized patents, covering key links in keyboard production.
These patents include not only the aluminum alloy extrusion casing device but also core manufacturing technologies such as satellite 轴 (satellite switch) mounting structures for mechanical keyboards, mechanical keyboard switch installation machines, and keycap silk-screen jigs. Together, they form Hengcang’s technological barrier in keyboard manufacturing.
As an ISO 9001 quality management system-certified enterprise, Hengcang has built a comprehensive and rigorous quality control system. It has implemented a full-process product traceability system, using photography, barcodes, and one-item-one-code binding to track quality across critical processes—from key switch installation and PCB soldering to finished product testing.
In Hengcang’s production workshops, the MES (Manufacturing Execution System) is widely used for process control. By real-time monitoring the production site and integrating PLC controllers, data collectors, and barcode scanners, the system has helped the company reduce microcomputer equipment maintenance costs by 80%, while significantly improving production efficiency and quality control standards.
02 Core Keyboard Manufacturing Processes: From Raw Materials to Precision Components
The first step in keyboard manufacturing is raw material preparation and inspection. Hengcang strictly controls the quality of plastic pellets, metal materials, and electronic components, ensuring only standard-compliant materials enter the production line.
For casing and keycap manufacturing, the company adopts injection molding technology: molten materials are injected into molds, then cooled and hardened to form keyboard components of specific shapes. Hengcang’s injection molding machines undergo precision calibration, with strict control over parameters such as temperature, pressure, and speed to guarantee product quality.
The circuit board is the "brain" of the keyboard, and Hengcang adheres to strict production standards in this area. From circuit design and PCB manufacturing to circuit board inspection, every link is refined. The company designs circuit schematics based on the keyboard’s functional requirements, converts them into PCB layouts, and finally produces physical circuit boards.
Soldering is critical to keyboard reliability. Hengcang uses wave soldering technology to solder multiple pins to the circuit board simultaneously. Before wave soldering, several pins are pre-soldered to the board for fixation—this innovation effectively solves pin looseness and achieves seamless processing.
03 Automated Production Lines: The Perfect Combination of Efficiency & Precision
Hengcang’s production lines are highly automated. In keycap assembly, each Keycap assembly machine liberates at least 10 workers per line. One machine can insert 6 rows of keycaps and operate 24/7 (day and night shifts), maximizing factory resource utilization.
These machines are easy to operate: new workers master them in less than 4 hours, and the changeover time (for switching product models) is only 10 minutes—delivering exceptional production efficiency.
Automatic switch insertion machines are core equipment for mechanical keyboard production. Leveraging its patented "Mechanical Keyboard Switch Installation Machine," Hengcang achieves automated and high-precision switch installation. This specialized equipment ensures each switch is precisely positioned, laying the foundation for consistent keyboard feel.
In soldering, Hengcang’s soldering machines include controllably movable soldering heads and keyboard jigs (comprising holders, pressure plates, and pressure supply devices). This precision equipment guarantees stability and consistency in the soldering process.
Quality inspection is a key production link. Hengcang uses automated optical inspection (AOI) technology: cameras scan products, and the images are compared with qualified samples to check if gaps from machine assembly or soldering meet production requirements. This automated inspection significantly improves product quality and eliminates quality issues caused by human error.
04 Quality Control System: Comprehensive Product Quality Assurance
Hengcang’s quality control covers the entire keyboard production cycle. From raw material warehousing to finished product shipment, every link has strict quality inspection standards.
At the semi-finished product stage, the company conducts electrical performance tests on manufactured circuit boards to ensure correct circuit connections and compliant impedance matching. Soldered circuit boards also undergo functional tests to verify all keyboard functions work properly.
Finished product inspection is even stricter. Hengcang performs appearance checks, functional tests, and compatibility tests on assembled keyboards:
- Appearance checks: Verify surface flatness, key integrity, and clear printing.
- Functional tests: Cover key sensitivity, key force, and key sound.
For high-value mechanical keyboards, Hengcang also conducts durability tests to ensure the keyboard’s lifespan and stability meet design requirements. Only products that pass all tests are packaged and shipped.
Hengcang also uses a real-time workshop dashboard system, which visualizes key data such as production cycle time, progress, equipment status, material shortage alerts, and yield rates. This enables team leaders and managers to make real-time adjustments and respond promptly, further ensuring stable product quality.
05 Innovative Technology Application: Leading the Transformation of Keyboard Manufacturing
Hengcang is committed to technological innovation to advance the keyboard manufacturing industry. Its patented "Device for Forming Keyboard Casings via Aluminum Alloy Profile Extrusion" is a typical example of such innovation.
This device includes a feeding structure, extrusion mold, CNC machine, and welding equipment. It uses extrusion molds to rapidly shape, cut, and bend contours, then forms a ring-shaped aluminum alloy keyboard casing through welding—significantly improving processing efficiency.
In surface treatment, Hengcang uses spraying, gold plating, and electroplating processes to give keyboard casings different colors, textures, and scratch-resistant properties. These treatments not only enhance the keyboard’s appearance but also improve product durability.
Hengcang also responds quickly to market demand changes. Through its workshop-level MES system, it has built a transparent and efficient digital factory, realizing visualized, process-oriented, and refined management. This gives it core competitiveness in "flexible response + stable quality + reliable delivery" amid competition.
Step into Hengcang’s production workshop, and you’ll see automatic switch insertion machines precisely installing each key switch, wave soldering equipment firmly soldering pins to PCBs, and optical inspectors carefully checking the quality of every process. Here, automation and precision manufacturing are perfectly integrated.
As market demands for keyboard personalization, performance, and quality continue to rise, Hengcang’s patent advantages in material application, automated production, and quality control will become increasingly prominent. From carbon fiber keyboard bases to aluminum alloy extruded casings, Hengcang is redefining the quality standards of keyboard manufacturing.
Future competition in the keyboard industry will revolve around industrial chain integration capabilities. With its comprehensive patent layout covering materials, structures, and production processes, Hengcang is well-positioned to further expand its influence in the fierce market competition.
