Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- switch:alps_skcm_salmon [28 Dec 2023 12:55] – eris
+++ switch:alps_skcm_salmon [13 Jan 2024 11:25] (current) – eris
@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 <WRAP wfix right>
-|  **Alps SKCM Black**  ||
+|  **Alps SKCM Salmon**  ||
 | {{ :switch:skcmsalmon.jpg?320&detail|A single desoldered Alps SKCM Salmon switch}} ||
 | **Manufacturer** | Alps Electric |
@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 Most instances of the switch will have slits in the upper housing, and the switch is solidly in the second generation. However, at least one instance of SKCM Salmon with no slits has been seen (in a Wang 725-3770).
-The stem, which is a salmon pink color, is almost always unlubricated.
+The stem, which is a salmon pink color, is almost always unlubricated and is made of POM((tested via [[https://wiki.keyboard.institute/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=switch:skcmsalmonburntest.mp4|burn test]])).
 The tactile feedback is generated with a leaf spring that is situated on the opposite side of the housing to the contact module. There were at least two variations of this leaf spring.
@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 ==== Additional Information ====
-The switch was likely in production from 1989 to around 2000 in some form or another. The switch replaced the first generation switch [[:switch:alps_skcm_beige|Alps SKCM Beige]], with SKCM Black switches sometimes appearing in keyboards with SKCM Beige, possibly as a later service part.
+The switch was likely in production from 1989 to around 1994. The switch replaced the first generation switch [[:switch:alps_skcm_orange|Alps SKCM Orange]]. It has no obvious direct relation to [[:switch:alps_skcm_black|SKCM Black]] despite that switch replacing it after its discontinuation.
-Third generation SKCM Black also replaced [[switch:alps_skcm_salmon|SKCM Salmon]] after its discontinuation, despite no obvious direct relation to that switch.
+The leaf spring that generates the tactile event is noticeably different to that of SKCM Black, having a punched hole in the flat part of the leaf. This leaf spring was also seen in [[:switch:alps_skcm_ivory|SKCM Ivory]].
-The leaf spring that generates the tactile event had at least one revision. The original form of this leaf spring was identical to that of SKCM Beige. The later form is the "dimple" leaf most commonly associated with late [[:switch:alps_skcm_ivory|SKCM Ivory]] and all [[:switch:alps_skcm_white_ivory|SKCM White Ivory]].
+<WRAP center round important 60%>
+The following information is a result of deductive reasoning. Take it with a grain of salt.
+</WRAP>
+It is possible that SKCM Salmon was a product of Alps Electric (USA) Inc., and was possibly a non-catalog switch. The rationale for this is as follows:
+  * SKCM Salmon (and its predecessor, SKCM Orange) have appeared in no catalogs by Alps Japan, including the 1991 and 1993 catalogs, both of which are well inside the SKCM Salmon date range.
+  * SKCM Salmon has only been observed consistently in keyboards made by Alps in the US or Ireland (i.e., Apple keyboards, Wang keyboards, Dell AT101 made in USA)
+  * US-made doubleshot Dell AT101s come with SKCM Salmon, whereas doubleshot AT101s made in Japan have SKCM Black.
+  * No part number has ever been found for SKCM Salmon
+Confirmation for this can unfortunately only come from contact with Alps directly, but the preponderance of circumstantial evidence warrants this section.
 ==== Gallery ====
 <gallery>
-switch:leafcompblackbeige.jpg
+switch:leafcompblacksalmon.jpg
+switch:skcmsalmonburntest.mp4
 </gallery>
 {{tag>switch:oem-alps switch:type-tactile switch:sense-contact switch:family-skcmskcl}}