Volker Craig VC404 terminal keyboard - Datanetics Key switches

[snuci]

Pictured here is a Volker Craig VC404 terminal keyboard model number KB-4412. Some time ago Haata posted a similar keyboard with MEI switches here. The interesting part of this keyboard is that it has Datanetics key switches. These are the same key switches as on the early Apple II computers and Datanetics was later purchased by Apple. That must have happened after these keyboards were made? There doesn't appear to be a date anywhere that is legible (the case has a date with the year smudged) but the components indicate a late 1979 or early 1980 manufacturing timeframe so that date of the case may be May 8, 1980.

I actually couldn't place these key switches even after searching the Wiki but I remember I saw them somewhere (in my Apple II while I took pics for the post above) but after studying Haata's post above and seeing that "DA MEI" was written on the PCB and Haata's having the MEI switches on his, I looked up key switches starting with "DA" and found the Datanetics; completely realizing at that point where I saw them.

Anyway, one other notable item. The outer case of the Volker Craig keyboard is made from the same material as the Apple II case. It's a structured rigid foam based material that is molded into shape. You can see the screw anchors in the case that help secure the case screws (the Apple II has metal anchors molded into the case).

Anyway, here are some pictures.

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - top

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - top.jpg (224.06 KiB) Viewed 7835 times

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - Datanetics key switches

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - Datanetics key switches.jpg (247.13 KiB) Viewed 7835 times

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - Identification on PCB

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - Identification on PCB.jpg (338.15 KiB) Viewed 7835 times

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - Identification on PCB

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - PCB Components 1.jpg (399.19 KiB) Viewed 7835 times

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - PCB Components 2

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - PCB Components 2.jpg (379.98 KiB) Viewed 7835 times

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - Space Bar internals

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - Space Bar internals.jpg (207.75 KiB) Viewed 7835 times

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - key caps

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - key caps.jpg (290.36 KiB) Viewed 7835 times

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - Case Externals

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - Case Externals.jpg (302.98 KiB) Viewed 7835 times

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - Case Internals

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - Case Internals.jpg (310.16 KiB) Viewed 7835 times

[seebart]

Thanks for sharing snuci. Interesting layout on this one.

[MECHGAMER]

How do the switches feel? Also, how did you acquire such a large collection of computers?

[Muirium]

After a point, the question is more: how do you store?

[XMIT]

After a point, the question is more: how do you store?

Shipping containers. They stack nicely.

[Muirium]

As for acquisition, Seeley put it best: we look back, surprised by what we accomplished, "in a fit of absence of mind."

[snuci]

The switches feel tactile but feel more linear without a hint of "clickyness". Unfortunately, the key switches are quite gritty and sine they can't be opened (the two halves are ultrasonically welded together) so I can only try to flush them with contact cleaner. I haven't tried this with this keyboard but did so with a couple of sticky key
switches on my Apple II.

My computers are acquired over time as opportunities come up. Storage is an interesting part of collecting that presents itself with collecting large items like computers. It's definitely easier to collect keyboards. I don't box things up but put them on shelves so they are easily accessible unless I have original boxes; then the items will stay in their box. I have lots of shelves

[terrycherry]

Wow, never seen this switch.
Your switches not like the MEI WEAB switch. I have the MEI WEAB switches. if you can assemble the switch, I can compare mine. If the same variant, yours could be the very early variant of MEI switch.
But first we should confirm the MFD date of HaaTa's keyboard. Hope he could take more photos of it!

[snuci]

Wow, never seen this switch.
Your switches not like the MEI WEAB switch. I have the MEI WEAB switches. if you can assemble the switch, I can compare mine. If the same variant, yours could be the very early variant of MEI switch.
But first we should confirm the MFD date of HaaTa's keyboard. Hope he could take more photos of it!

These switches are made by Datanetics and are the same as the early Apple II key switches. They are not related to MEI and these are fused together so they can't be opened without sawing one in half. Take a look at Ripster's post here for internal pics: http://imgur.com/a/t4Smx

[seebart]

...Storage is an interesting part of collecting...

That's a very positive way of putting it.

[snuci]

Some questions were asked about this keyboard that I need to answer with pictures.

One of the keys was fixed in place. The picture showed an orange collar. This is actually an old clear rubber surgical tube that has been cut to size a split on one side so it can act as a collar for the key switch. the key switch is perfectly functional and is on the keyboard matrix. In fact, this key switch is like brand new and is not dirty at all. From this, I have discovered that these key switches actually do have a very distinct "bump" in the key stem travel and provide tactile feedback. All of the other key switches are fairly dirty so this is not easy to distinguish.

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - Solid key rubber stopper "collar"

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - solid key rubber stopper.jpg (200.2 KiB) Viewed 7703 times

The other observation was the locking key caps. There is a white box on the side of these key switches that position a wire that extends from the top of the key switch stem. Left unlatched, the end of the wire is visible through a slit in the top of that white box. When pressed, the wire end latches midway into that box, holding down the key stem a couple of millimeters and is held in place until the key is pressed again. This, in turn, releases the wire and the key cap becomes fully erect.

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - locking key from behind

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - locking key from behind.jpg (248.95 KiB) Viewed 7703 times

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - locking key unlocked

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - locking key unlocked.jpg (250.71 KiB) Viewed 7703 times

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - locking key locked in place

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - locking key locked in place.jpg (250.51 KiB) Viewed 7702 times

One thing I neglected to mention that appeared on the other KB-4412 keyboard. There is a slight gap at the top of the keyboard between the normal keys and the keypad. The are is highlighted below. I believe the other keyboard has foam in this area and around the perimeter of the key switches. This keyboard had electrical tape to blacken the area so the PCB board was not visible from above! I had to scrape off the dried electrical tape.

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - gap

VC404 KB-4412 Keyboard - gap.jpg (245.16 KiB) Viewed 7703 times

Lastly, this matters because these may be the only Datanetics locking key switches as the Apple II didn't have a caps lock key (no lower case back then) and this keyboard has several "toggle" key caps along the left side as well as the locking Caps lock.

Okay, one more thing that was asked. I forgot to take a picture of the entire PCB board but the large area to the right that is not populated actually contains more keyboard matrix below for additional keys that are obviously not populated. I don't have the proper lighting to take a picture of that at this time but I believe Haata's pictures illustrate this.

Hope this helps.

[terrycherry]

Thanks to tell me in details,here has the Datanetics diaphragm switch .
I glad you found the rubber O-ring variant and latching switch on that keyboard.
That's a huge helpful!
One question leave, is the switch has any difference under the space bar?

[rea5245]

Would it be possible for me to borrow, rent, or buy this Volker Craig 4412 keyboard? I have a photography project, and I really want this specific keyboard for it.