When did HP retire their two-shot molded keys?

[jebem]

(03-03-2018 11:00 AM)EdS2 Wrote:  AFAICT the changeover must have been earlier than the 90s, as the HP-31e is afflicted with printed keycaps, and was discontinued in 1980. The manual doesn't mention the keycap material construction.

Sorry, I have to ask, why do you say the 31e uses printed keycaps?
Can you tell what serial number are you referring to?
Usually Singapore made models used double-injection molds.
If you own that calculator, can you open it and inspect the keys underneath?

My Spice 32E uses dual injection molded keys and this model was discontinued in 1983.

That said, my Spice 32E was manufactured in Singapore and has the s/n: 2034S..... meaning it was assembled in 1980 week 34.

So, anyone knows if HP moved the production of the Spices altogether to the Indonesia factories after 1980?

If they did, the word I read in several forums is that Indonesia plants were not using double injection for HP models.

But I don't think there was a specific date for the change over to printed labels for all the HP models at once, but i might be wrong.
I believe the decision was based on cost production savings alone, that eventually forced HP to move the production of each model to other countries, like Indonesia, offering cheaper labor and production costs but not able to offer double injection at that low price point.