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Alps SKCM Salmon
| Alps SKCM Black | |
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|
| Manufacturer | Alps Electric |
| Family | Alps SKCM/SKCL series |
| Part Number | Unknown |
| Switch Type | Tactile |
| Travel | 3.5mm |
| Sense method | Metal contact |
| Mount | Plate mount |
| Rated lifetime | 20 million cycles |
| Quoted operating force | unknown, likely 70gf |
Alps SKCM Salmon is a tactile switch in the second 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.
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 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. Alps SKCM Salmon, 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 1989 to around 2000 in some form or another. The switch replaced the first generation switch Alps SKCM Beige, with SKCM Black switches sometimes appearing in keyboards with SKCM Beige, possibly as a later service part.
Third generation SKCM Black also replaced SKCM Salmon after its discontinuation, despite no obvious direct relation to that switch.
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 SKCM Ivory and all SKCM White Ivory.
Gallery
