Alps SKCM White Ivory

Alps SKCM White Ivory
A single desoldered Alps SKCM White Ivory switch
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 cycles1)
Quoted operating force 70gf2)

Alps SKCM White Ivory is a damped tactile switch in the third generation of the Alps SKCM/SKCL Series.

Naming

This switch has previously been called “Alps SKCM White Damped” or “white damped”. It has been renamed here to make its likely connection to SKCM Ivory clear.

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.

As a third generation SKCM/SKCL switch, the upper housing never has slits (colloquially referred to as the “bamboo” variant).

The stem, which is a pigmented white color, features rubber dampeners that slot into either side of the stem.

The tactile 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 of the “dimpled” type, the final revision of the tactile leaf spring. Alps SKCM White Ivory, 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

SKCM White Ivory has never been seen in an Alps catalog. Only its predecessor, Alps SKCM Ivory has. It is entirely possible that this switch is still considered to be the same part, as there are no functional changes between it and the very latest SKCM Ivory outside of the stem color.

Not to be confused with Alps SKCM White, a clicky switch with a colorless stem that appears white and is named as such.

1) , 2)
likely, based on SKCMBB