Alps SKCM Green
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This article requires additional photographic illustration — need photos of the pine version |
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| Manufacturer | Alps Electric |
|---|---|
| Family | Alps SKCL/SKCM series |
| Product code | SKCMAT |
| Supersedes | Alps SKCM Brown |
| Switch type | Tactile |
| Sense method | Metal leaf |
| Actuation force | 70 gf |
| Keycap mount | Alps mount |
| Switch mount | Plate mount |
Alps SKCM Green (also Neon Green and Lime Green) is a rare tactile switch in the complicated Alps SKCL/SKCM series.
Description
The slider colour is a vivid shade of spring green; it is a blue-green shade, instead of a yellow-green shade as found in SKCL Green. The colour is similar to that found in Xiang Min KSB series, but it is deeper and more vivid.
The force curve of Alps SKCM Green is different to most other Alps tactile switches. The step in the tactile leaf that catches the slider starts higher up and is longer. This change leads to a tactile peak that is longer and more rounded. Although the peak force of SKCM Green is lower than that of other tactile switches, a high level of force is held for longer, which may account for its stiffer feel. Based on the similarity of the tactile leaf and feel, and on the possible change from SKCM Brown to SKCM Green in Xerox and Texas Instruments keyboards, it has been postulated that SKCM Green is the successor to SKCM Brown, in the same manner that Alps SKCM White replaced Alps SKCM Blue and so forth.
Variants
Both pine and bamboo variants exist. It appears that both the bamboo and pine variants have model number SKCMAT: this model number was used for the pine version in the 1994 Alps catalogue, but is also the model number used for surplus bamboo switches. The pine version seems to be more tactile than the bamboo variant, and louder.[1]
| Switchplate Color | Switchplate Length | Alps Logo | Generation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | Short | Logo | Pine (with slits) |
| White | Short | Logo | Bamboo (without slits) |
Keyboards
- Fujitsu Xerox J-Star (Pine)[2]
- Some Texas Instruments Low Profile 931 2228995-0001 (Pine)[3]
- Some Xerox 6085 (post-1990 models)
- Xerox JD-2 Docutech 135 (Bamboo)[4]
Gallery
Bamboo
The SKCMAT switches below are surplus parts from Component Electronics in Canada. Variations in the parts raise the possibility of the parts being sourced from multiple batches.
Colour comparison with SKCL Green and Xiang Min KSB-C
Pack of 20 surplus bamboo switches
Shell detail, top and inside
Tactile leaf comparison with pine Cream Damped
Tactile leaf comparison, front view
Tactile leaf comparison, side view
Spring
Disassembled, top views
Disassembled, bottom views
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_--_tactile_leaf_comparison,_front.jpg)
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_--_disassembled,_bottom_views.jpg)
References
- ↑ Youtube — Project L review (Alps SKCM Neon Green / Lime) Uploaded 2016-05-7.
- ↑ Deskthority — Fujitsu Xerox J-Star Posted 2021-01-30.
- ↑ Deskthority — //gainsborough's wild Ti Adventures! Posted 2018-05-29.
- ↑ Deskthority — Xerox with Tactile Green Alps Posted 2014-07-22.
