I. Manufacturing Process: Four Stages from Mold to Finished Product
Mold development and injection molding constitute the initial stage of mouse manufacturing. Mouse casings typically utilize a dual-material injection molding process, where materials with different properties (such as rigid plastic and soft rubber) are molded into a single unit within the same mold. Key factors in this process include controlling injection timing, maximum injection pressure, and holding time to minimize product shrinkage and warping. Once the mold is created, specialized equipment is used to check for deviations from the design blueprints, ensuring dimensional accuracy. Records from the Rapoo factory indicate that casings undergo painting and glazing processes; they are subjected to high-pressure dust removal before entering the workshop, receive two coats of paint and one coat of glaze, and are finally dried before moving to the assembly line.
PCBA assembly is the core phase of mouse manufacturing. Bare PCBs first enter the component insertion stage, where workers install electronic components such as microswitches and encoders onto the board. Components are then secured via wave soldering; however, certain precision components (such as optical engines and microswitches) may require manual installation followed by reflow soldering. After soldering, the PCB undergoes electrical testing to verify circuit functionality before proceeding to the next step.
Final assembly involves placing the tested PCB into the casing, securing it with screws, attaching foot pads, and printing the brand logo. Assembly lines typically feature a “U-shaped” layout, with each section handling a complete assembly and packaging workflow.
Finished product inspection serves as the final quality control checkpoint before shipment. Completed mice undergo multiple rounds of testing prior to packaging to ensure that products entering the market meet quality standards.
II. Testing Standards: Key Indicators of National Standard GB/T 26245-2010
China’s current national standard for mouse products is GB/T 26245-2010, “General Specification for Computer Mice.” Officially implemented on May 1, 2011, it applies to the full lifecycle management of both wired and wireless mouse products. The standard outlines technical requirements, test methods, inspection rules, and packaging/transportation specifications, while referencing 17 related national standards, including those for environmental adaptability and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing. Mechanical performance requirements form the core of the standard:
– Resolution accuracy: The ratio of measured resolution to nominal resolution must exceed 85%.
– Button lifespan: Left and right buttons are tested while powered on, using maximum actuation force at a frequency of at least 4 presses per second; the lifespan must exceed 1 million cycles, with input functionality verified every 200,000 cycles.
– Movement lifespan: The mouse moves in a circular pattern at 250 mm/s for a total distance exceeding 250 km; input functionality is verified after the test.
– Button actuation force: The force required for left and right buttons must be between 0.3 N and 1.1 N.
– Tracking speed: Must be at least 100 mm/s.
– Deviation: The ratio of the maximum number of points deviating from the axis of movement to the total number of movement points must not exceed 10%.
The standard also specifies requirements for environmental adaptability, covering both climatic and mechanical environments. Vibration testing ranges from 5 Hz to 500 Hz, and shock testing involves a peak acceleration of 150 m/s²; reliability verification under extreme conditions—such as salt spray and damp heat—is conducted in accordance with the GB/T 2423 series of standards.
III. Reliability Testing: Quality Verification in Extreme Environments
Beyond national standards, brand manufacturers typically implement stricter internal testing protocols. Factory visit records reveal the specific details of these tests.
“Simulated lifespan testing” is a key component of mouse testing. Testing equipment simulates 18 months of continuous use (at 10 hours per day) to verify that the mouse remains fully functional. Specialized testers assess the durability of micro-switches and scroll wheels. Logitech’s quality control system also incorporates scroll wheel force testers to measure the effort required to rotate the wheel.
“Environmental tolerance testing” simulates product performance across diverse global climates. Temperature aging tests are conducted in chambers capable of maintaining temperatures ranging from -40°C to +60°C. Salt spray tests, conducted in chambers filled with a dense saline mist, evaluate the oxidation and corrosion resistance of metal components. Temperature testing covers cycling between -20°C and 70°C, while damp-heat testing involves prolonged exposure to an environment of 40±2°C and 90%–95% humidity to assess the impact of moisture on performance.
“Electrical safety testing” ensures compliance with the GB 4943 standard, while electromagnetic compatibility must meet GB/T 17618 requirements. Power supply adaptability standards require the mouse to function normally despite ±10% fluctuations in the nominal DC voltage.
IV. Industry Standard System
The standard system for mouse products centers on the national standard GB/T 26245-2010, supported by numerous foundational standards. The GB/T 2423 series serves as the basis for environmental testing, covering methods such as low-temperature, high-temperature, steady-state damp-heat, shock, impact, and vibration tests. **GB/T 2828.1** specifies procedures for inspection by attributes (sampling inspection). Product inspections are categorized into factory inspections and type inspections; factory inspections require a 100% check of appearance, markings, and basic functions, whereas type inspections—covering all technical specifications—must be conducted at least once a year.
Prior to the release of the national standard, the industry followed SJ/T 11270-2002, “Information Technology – General Specification for Mouse Devices.” This standard was implemented in 2002 and subsequently superseded by GB/T 26245-2010.
From micrometer-level precision control in mold making to rigorous validation of a one-million-click lifespan, every stage of mouse manufacturing and testing addresses a single question: can this mouse operate reliably in the user’s hands for years? While standards establish the baseline, the additional testing performed by brand manufacturers determines the product’s ultimate quality ceiling.
