Riser commutators

Disclosed is a method of manufacturing conductive segments for commutators or the like rotary switches, comprising the steps of providing an elongate strip (10, 10') of material with a given cross-sectional profile (34, 46, 50, 34', 46',118); cutting or otherwise separating lengths of the strip to form blanks (14, 14') and machining or otherwise working a blank into a bar (58, 58') with an upstanding riser head (54, 54'). Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a commutator or the like rotary switch comprising the steps of assembling the commutator segments (14, 14') spaced side-by-side into a ring-shaped pre-form (78, 78') having a central aperture (94) and molding a core (90) into the aperture and between the segments. The segments may be notched (62, 66) for reinforcing rings (82, 86).