CLIFF Electronic Components - Control Knobs and Potentiometers

Instrument Control Knobs and Potentiometers

We produce a versatile range of knobs designed to enhance the appearance and functionality of any equipment to which they are fitted. Our control knobs are made to high standards of finish in order to satisfy our customers most exacting requirements.

All models are moulded in black nylon, ABS or PP. Some models can be supplied in white or grey colours colors. Other custom made colours colors can be produced, subject to a reasonable order quantity as setup charges may be required. Some models can accept optional diamond spun or coloured colored caps. Marker dots are standard on models as indicated. The standard dot or line position is opposite the set screw or 'D' flat.

Other variants are possible subject to agreement. Please refer to the shaft size table for details.

Collet fitting using our low cost plastic collet system is available for our K9 to K12 series.

Two colour color, moulded models K85M, K87MA, K87MB are suitable for mixing consoles. They combine good looks and ultimate low cost. Some models are available with a rubber soft-touch finish.

Applications requiring similar style knobs of various sizes are well catered for in our range of models.

When ordering, please specify quantity, model, colour color, fixing, lines or dots and shaft size. If in doubt, please refer to our sales office. For example : K6 / black / SF / Marker dot / ¼" or K9 / black / marker line / 6mm splined.

For further technical specifications please see the PDF data sheet Control knobs for rotary and slider potentiometers

Rotary Control Knobs

K1 and K2 Practical low cost knob, often used in outdoors equipment. Chrome, satin or coloured colored discs available. Marker dot on the skirt as standard. K1 is packed 200 per bag. K2 is packed 100 per bag.
K3 Pointer knob with a matt textured finish. A marker line version is available. Packed 500 per bag.
K4 Pointer knob with a matt textured finish. A marker line version is available. Packed 500 per bag.
K5 Marker line on top is optional. Packed 100 per box.
K6 Screw fix only. Dot on top is optional. Packed 200 per box.
K6/SKT Standard skirts are plain, 0-5-0 or 0-10. Packed 200 per carton.
K7 Marker line on top is optional. Coloured Colored plastic top available, (mininum 1000).
K8 Marker dot on the skirt as standard. Coloured Colored plastic top available, (minimum 1000).
K85 Available for push fitting only. Eight colours colors of cap available. Caps push into the top of the knob, and can locate in any position. Skirt, cap or both may have a marker line. Supplied unassembled. Not available in a rubber finish. Knobs packed 250 knobs per bag. Caps packed 100 or 1000 per bag.
K85M and K85MS
K85M is available for push fit only. Two colour color, moulded. Body and line / cap can be eight contrasting colours colors. Suitable for applications where quantities used demand very low cost. Not available with a rubber finish.
K85MS is under development. Similar to K85M, but without a skirt. A rubber finish is available.
Packed 250 or 1000 per bag.
K87MA and K87MAR Standard top / line colours colors: black, white, grey, blue, green, red, orange, yellow. These are two colour color, moulded. We have eight standard colours colors and make custom versions subject to acceptable quantities. Knobs are low cost due to volume production. The coloured colored top helps identify colour color coded grouped functions in equipment with many knobs. Packed 250 or 1000 per bag.
K87MA is a hard finish version available for push fitting only.
K87MAR has a soft-touch, rubber finish.
K87MB and K87MBR Standard line colours colors: black, white, grey, blue, green, red, orange, yellow. These knobs are similar to K87MA and K87MAR but without a coloured colored top. They can be used where a more subtle colour color coding is required. Packed 250 or 1000 per bag.
K87MB is a hard finish version available for push fitting only.
K87MBR has a soft-touch, rubber finish.
K9 This model has a separate push in cap which comes in eight colours colors. The knob and cap can be plain or with a line. Knobs packed 250 per bag. Caps packed 100 or 1000 per bag.
K10 This model has a separate push in cap which comes in eight colours colors. The knob and cap can be plain or with a line. Knobs packed 250 per bag. Caps packed 100 or 1000 per bag.
K11 This model has a separate push in cap which comes in eight colours colors. The knob and cap can be plain or with a line. Knobs packed 200 per bag. Caps packed 100 or 1000 per bag.
K12 This model has a separate push in cap which comes in eight colours colors. The knob and cap can be plain or with a line. K6 skirts can be used. Knobs packed 200 per bag. Caps packed 100 or 1000 per bag.
K13 Engineering Knobs This range of knobs incorporate metal threads or threaded studs. The smallest versions with M4 studs have moulded-in, brass studs. Larger versions are made using ISO M4, M5, M6 or M8 steel nuts and bolts as the threaded element. Knobs can be supplied unassembled if required. Custom versions are easily made.
K14, K15 and K16 Aluminium Aluminum clad plastic knobs with a diamond turned finish. The finish is protected from tarnishing and corrosion by a special treatment. Standard finish is bright aluminium aluminum. The marker line is optional.
K14 - 15mm diameter, 12.5mm height. Packed 250 per carton.
K15 - 20mm diameter, 13.0mm height. Packed 250 per carton.
K16 - 30mm diameter, 13.0mm height. Packed 100 per carton.
K15P and K16P Plastic versions of K15 and K16. Both have a matt textured top.
K15P - 18.8mm diameter, 11.2mm height. Packed 250 per carton.
K16P - 29.0mm diameter, 12.7mm height. Packed 100 per carton.
K17 Initially designed for electronic cosmetic equipment. The knob has a fine serrated edge, a matt, non- reflective finish and a prominent marker line. Packed 250 per bag.
C18 A low cost nylon knob produced in an all-black or coloured colored cap version. Caps are supplied pre-fitted and cannot be removed. The marker line has four possible locations. Available in push fix only. Cap colours colors are black, white, grey, green, blue, yellow or red. Packed 500 or 1000 per bag.
C18/SKT This model has a knob and skirt in one piece. The skirt can have a marker line or printed numbers 0-10. Available in push fix only. Coloured Colored caps are not available. Packed 250 or 500 per bag.
KM12B and KM15B Knurled aluminium aluminum shells on plastic inners. Standard finish is black anodised anodized to a very high standard. This can have a printed marker dot or diamond cut marker line. Custom versions are possible subject to quantity. Packed in moulded trays.
KB Series Knurled aluminium aluminum shells on plastic inners. High quality, black anodised anodized finish is standard. This can have a printed marker dot or diamond cut marker line. Custom versions, (coloured colored, for example), are possible subject to quantity. Standard models are for 18T 6mm splined shaft. Packed in moulded trays.
K20B - 20mm diameter, 17mm height.
K40B - 40mm diameter, 17mm height.
K50B - 50mm diameter, 17mm height.
KMR Series Matt black with domed top. Marker dot or line. For 18T 6mm splined shaft. Packed in moulded trays. Custom colours colors subject to viable quantity.
KMR15 - 15mm diameter, 16mm height.
KMR20 - 22mm diameter, 21mm height.
KMR25 - 25mm diameter, 18mm height.
KMR30 - 30mm diameter, 16mm height.
KMR35 - 35mm diameter, 19mm height.
KMR40D - 39mm diameter, 9mm height. ¼" D shaft is standard with a finger dimple.
KMR40 - 40mm diameter, 19mm height.
KMR50 - 50mm diameter, 31mm height.

Slider Control Knobs - CS Series

Nine different designs are produced. Three types have the option of 4mm or 6/8mm shaft fitting. All knobs have a matt, non-reflective finish to match our K9 to K12 series and the C18. The standard colour color is black.

CS1 Length 23mm. Width 11mm. Height 11mm.
CS1 for 6/8mm shaft.
CS1A for 4mm shaft.
CS1B for 4mm shaft.
CS2 Length 20mm. Width 14mm. Height 13mm.
CS2 for 6/8mm shaft.
CS2A for 4mm shaft.
CS2B for 4mm shaft.
CS3 Length 29mm. Width 13mm. Height 7mm. 6/8mm shaft.
CS7 Length 12mm. Width 9mm. Height 9mm.
CS7A for 4mm shaft.
CS7C for 4mm shaft.
CS8 Length 17mm. Width 10mm. Height 8mm. 6/8mm shaft.
CS9 Length 27mm. Width 16mm. Height 7mm.
CS9 for 6/8mm shaft.
CS9A for 4mm shaft.
CS10 Length 27mm. Width 13mm. Height 8mm. 6/8mm shaft.
CS11 Diameter 8mm. Height 8mm. Designed to fit a square shaft of push-button switches and 4mm or 6mm slider shafts.
CS12 Length 12mm. Width 12mm. Height 10mm. Designed to fit a 3.3mm shaft of push-button switches.

Custom Control Knobs

Where our standard designs do not suit your requirements we can produce knobs to your own designs. Sometimes we are able to modify existing tooling and avoid the need to make new full moulds.

custom control knobs

Our two colour color moulds can be adapted for custom designs without the need to make a full mould, within certain size constraints. Custom designs can be achieved at moderate tooling cost; usually about 50% of the cost of a full mould. An eight-impression, complete, two colour color knob mould will cost at least £20,000. By incorporating new designs into the existing moulds, the tooling cost can be reduced to between £7,000 and £10,000. Tooling of new models can be amortized quickly or may justify making new designs for smaller production runs. Actual tooling costs will depend on the complexity of the parts.

We have a number of semi custom parts which are available for use by our customers. Generally, full custom models are only available to the original user. Semi custom parts are usually produced by incorporating one or more mould cavities into the moulds used for standard products. Tooling costs for semi custom parts can be quite low; £50 to £350 for a custom shaft fitting; £750 to £3000 for a new cavity design. Actual costs will depend on the mould being adapted.

custom control knobs

Injection moulding of two or more different kinds of plastic can give elegant solutions to many engineering design problems. In particular, the combination of hard plastic with rubber-like materials is used more often nowadays. Also the combination of opaque and clear materials is frequently used.

Knobs and buttons can be produced in almost any colour color, from ABS, nylon, Polypropylene, Acetal etc. They can be made to fit any size of shaft. New models are produced using our ISO9001/2 approved design and production facility.

custom control knobs

Initial information needed for a custom design is as follows: design and dimensions, material, colour color, annual quantity, delivery date required. Please feel free to discuss these items with our sales department.

Shaft Sizes and Colours Colors

The colours colors shown below are for reference only and may not be identical to actual colours colors. If an exact colour color selection is required we are happy to provide samples for your evaluation. Custom colours colors are available for single and multi colour color moulded knobs. Please call us to discuss your specific requirements.

colours

Knob caps can be supplied plain, with a marker line (ML), with a marker dot (MD), or custom legend.

When specifying fixing options, indicate shaft size and type, i.e. screw fix (SF), push fix (‘D’), splined (SPL), or collet.

Shaft Size:	3mm	4mm	4mm	4mm	6mm	6mm	6mm USA	6mm	6mm	¼"	¼"	¼"	¼"	Marker Dot and Line Options
Knob Type:	collet	D-spring	collet	screw	splined	D-spring	D-spring	collet	screw	D-spring	splined	screw	collet
K1				Y	Y				Y	Y		Y		skirt-dot (std)
K2				Y					Y	Y		Y		skirt-dot (std)
K3,K4									Y	Y		Y		cap-line
K5					Y				Y	Y		Y		cap-line
K6,K6/SKT				Y		E			Y			Y		cap-dot, skirt-line, numbered
K7				Y	Y	E			Y	Y		Y		cap-line
K8				Y					Y	Y		Y		skirt-dot (std)
K85,K85M,K85MS++		Y			Y	Y	Y			Y	Y			cap-line (std)
K87MA,K87MB+		E			Y	Y	Y			Y				body-line, cap-line
K9*	Y		Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y		Y	Y	body-line, cap-dot, cap-line
K10*	Y		Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y		Y	Y	body-line, cap-dot, cap-line
K11	Y		Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y		Y	Y	body-line, cap-dot, cap-line
K12	Y		Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y		Y	Y	body-line, cap-dot, cap-line
K13 refer to data
K14				Y	Y		K14P		Y	Y		Y		cap-line
K15,K15P				Y	Y				Y	Y		Y		K15=cap-line
K16,K16P				Y	Y	E	K16P		Y	Y		Y		K16=cap-line
K17						E			E	E		Y		cap-line (std)
C18,C18/SKT					Y	Y	Y			Y				C18=cap-line (std), C18/SKT=skirt-line, numbered
KM12B,KM15B					Y
K20B,K40B,K50B					Y
KMR series					Y					KMR40D

Y=Yes, available as standard, E=Enquire if required.

* For all-black model only - version with integral cap is available.

+ Including ‘R’ ‘Soft Touch’ versions.

++ K85MS is under development.

NOT ALL PUSH FIX MODELS HAVE METAL SPRINGS.

L=Body Line

D=Cap dot

S=Skirt dot

Z=Cap line

SL=Skirt line

N=Numbered

Some models of our knobs are stocked by some Cliff distributors. Please contact our sales office.

Potentiometers

We have an extensive range of rotary and slide potentiometers, with both plastic and metal shafts. These are drop-in compatible with other manufacturers products such as Alps, Nobel and Alpha.

potentiometers introduction