Alps SKCM Amber
| Alps SKCM Amber | |
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| Manufacturer | Alps Electric |
| Family | Alps SKCM/SKCL series |
| Part Number | Unknown |
| Switch Type | Clicky |
| Travel | 3.5mm |
| Sense method | Metal contact |
| Mount | Plate mount |
| Rated lifetime | 20 million cycles1) |
| Operating force | ~85gf2) |
Alps SKCM Amber is a clicky switch in the first generation of the Alps SKCM/SKCL Series.
Characteristics
The switch follows the general characteristics of the SKCM family, consisting of an upper and lower housing, contact module, stem, spring and a leaf spring for generating the tactile event and click sound.
As a first generation SKCM/SKCL switch, the upper housing always has slits (colloquially referred to as the “pine” variant).
The stem, which is a dull shade of amber, was lubricated at the factory and is likely made of a nylon blend3).
The audible feedback is generated with a leaf spring that is situated on the opposite side of the housing to the contact module. This leaf spring is significantly more tactile than other clicky Alps switches, and imparts by far the highest tactility of any Alps switch.
Alps SKCM Amber, like all SKCM/SKCL series switches, uses a contact module to register the keypress. This sits in the housing on the side with visible notches.
Additional Information
The switch was likely in production from 19864) to around 19885). The switch only ever appeared in Apple IIc keyboards and was likely a custom order part - there is likely no catalog part number for this switch. Some late Apple IIc keyboard service modules were supplied with SKCM Blue which implies SKCM Amber was discontinued after the Apple IIc Plus was introduced. Variations in stem dye lots were commonplace and should not be taken as evidence of some instance of the switch being better than another.
The leaf spring that generates the tactile and audible events is similar to that of the first revision of SKCM Blue's leaf spring. The additional weight in the switch appears to be generated via the higher tactility of the leaf spring vis-à-vis SKCM Blue.
This switch is commonly overpriced and overhyped significantly by scalpers. Additionally, due to its only source being a specific vintage computer, one should exercise extra care when attempting to source this switch. Vet sources and be mindful of your impact on other hobbies.