===== Alps AKC =====
<WRAP wfix right>
|  **Alps AKC**  ||
| {{ :switch:akc.jpg?320&detail|A single desoldered Alps AKC switch}} ||
| **Manufacturer** | Alps Electric |
| **Family** | Alps AKC |
| **Part Number** | AKC or AKM |
| **Switch Type** | [[:terminology:linear_switch|Linear]] |
| **Travel** | 3 - 3.5mm((3mm measured on calculator switch, 3.5mm quoted in an AKC computer keyboard advertisement)) |
| **Sense method** | Spring contact |
| **Mount** | Plate mount | 
| **Rated lifetime** | 5 million cycles(([[https://wiki.keyboard.institute/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=switch:alps_akb-3000_series_advertisement_electronics_november_22_1973.pdf|Alps AKB-3000 advertisement]])) | 
| **Quoted operating force** | Unknown |
</WRAP>
**Alps AKC** switches, commonly referred to as "Alps spring bridge" are a mid-1970s series of Alps switches.

==== Characteristics ====

The switch consists of a stem with a metal rod through for attaching a keycap, and a recess in which a fine, gold-plated spring rests slightly deformed. As the stem is pushed, the spring brushes against and bridges the contacts((hence "spring bridge")), which are tinned pads on a square chunk of PCB substrate. This PCB substrate passes through a slot on a key module's PCB and is bridged to it. Return force is provided externally, and care should be taken when removing keycaps (which have a strong grip) as flyaway springs are incredibly likely.

Several variations exist - the metal-topped version, as seen in the infobox, appears to be first. There was a later all-plastic version((to be added, seen in Olympia CD series calculators)). There also appears to have been a keyboard variant, based on the AKB-3000 series keyboard advertisement. This has a larger quoted travel than any instance of the switch seen so far so could have a differently sized housing.

The switch could also be ordered as a set module under part code "AKM". This can often be seen in calculators.

==== Additional Information ====

The switch was likely in production from as early as 1973((Alps AKB-3000 advertisement)) to 1979((Earliest calculator sightings of SKCC Gray)). It was replaced by [[switch:alps_skcc_gray|Alps SKCC Gray]].

The switch could sometimes be seen with a mount adapter allowing for cruciform mount keycaps to be fitted.

==== Gallery ====
<gallery>
:switch:akcakmad.jpg
</gallery>
{{tag> switch:oem-alps switch:type-linear switch:sense-contact}}