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Potential new name for the linear Key Tronic F&F switch
Posted: 16 Apr 2014, 13:14
by bhtooefr
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=57111
It looks like Key Tronic marketed their linear foam and foil switch as the Butterfly switch. Unfortunately, I can't confirm that it is the F&F, so I won't edit that in just yet.
Posted: 16 Apr 2014, 13:55
by mr_a500
I posted that same advertisement on geekhack back in 2011. Sadly, both the photo I posted and the entire thread was lost in the rootworm hacking.
Yes, that is their name for the foam and foil switch. There were other small ads showing the PCB and saying it was a "butterfly" switch. The "butterfly" refers to the shape of the pads on the PCB.
Posted: 16 Apr 2014, 14:30
by Findecanor
mr_a500 wrote:I posted that same advertisement on geekhack back in 2011.
June 2010 ...
Posted: 16 Apr 2014, 19:24
by Daniel Beardsmore
mr_a500 wrote:Yes, that is their name for the foam and foil switch. There were other small ads showing the PCB and saying it was a "butterfly" switch. The "butterfly" refers to the shape of the pads on the PCB.
According to that advertisement, "Butterfly™" specifically refers to the then-new linear version; one assumes they mean foam-and-foil as that's the only capacitive switch associated with Key Tronic and the one they're famous for.
I'm certainly surprised that the linear version was introduced later, but considering that the tactility was provided by rubber, I wouldn't be surprised that linear was considered an improvement. MX Red is certainly a vast improvement over any dome keyboard I've ever used, but I would consider MX Black and rubber domes to be equally bad for different reasons (assuming the former are largely similar to Futaba linears).
I don't know what the force is on a Key Tronic linear switch.
Interestingly, they refer to the switch as "solid state", which is also how Cherry described their own foam and foil switch.
Posted: 17 Apr 2014, 11:22
by bhtooefr
I went ahead and updated the wiki, for what it's worth.
And, while it's certainly closer to "solid state" than a conductive switch, still not sure I'd call it that, after all, the plates of the capacitor are moving!
Posted: 17 Apr 2014, 18:33
by rzwv
It is a model different from the keyboard of a topic.
I do not know if I would be helpful, but it is a reference at the time.
Compaq Portable 83key keyboard (made by Key Tronic)
http://web.archive.org/web/200411210649 ... table.html
http://www.thecomputerarchive.com/archi ... boards.PDF
http://www.brutman.com/PCjr/docs/Keytronic_KB5151jr.pdf