deskthority

[comment]ALPS[/comment]

[H="2"]Introduction[/H]
There are three commonly available types of ALPS keyboard switches: "Bigfoot", low profile switch, and "leaf spring". They can be seen here: http://park16.wakwak.com/~ex4/kb/tech.htm

Bigfoot (because the classic older ALPS keyboards had a big "footprint").


Low Profile Switch


Leaf Spring Switch


In addition, a rare buckling spring over membrane type mechanism was also made by Alps, originally for the Sega Teradrive system manufactured for Sega by IBM. It was later used some other boards such as C.Itoh terminal keyboards. See description here.


Most (except for an unusual gray Capslock version) are SPST NO (Normally Open) Momentary switches.

Please Note. All pictures are from Geekhack members unless otherwise noted.
[H="2"]"Bigfoot"[/H]
US Patent 4642433

This is the most common type of ALPS keyboard switch, and most times when people are talking about ALPS switches, they are referring to these. It was designed to be mounted on a flat steel plate. These switches have 3.5mm travel and a switch life of 20 million operations.

The term Bigfoot refers not to the switch itself but to the shape of keyboards such as the Dell AT-101. It is not an ALPS term.
This type of switch was marketed as ALPS CM switch by US PC and keyboard manufacturers. The part number in the ALPS catalog began with SKCM for tactile and click and SKCL for linear. Hereafter Bigfoot will be used to refer this type of switch for convenience.

Bigfoot switches come in two versions. Complicated and Simplified. Originally the ALPS switch mechanism was quite complicated internally, consisting of many parts. The design was later simplified and subsequently copied by manufacturers other than ALPS.

Left to right, Simplified Type II, Simplified Type I, Complicated.


Complicated



Simplified



For a detailed analysis of HOW the switch works see this post.


[H="3"]Complicated ALPS[/H]
As mentioned earlier Complicated ALPS have a distinctive switch plate. They can come in multiple colors and vary slightly.


The most common is the white switch plate, the latest revision.


Complicated ALPS can be clicky and tactile, non- clicky and tactile, or linear (no bump when pressing down). Although generally regarded as "smoother" than Simplified ALPS there is a wide range of disagreement on this. In addition, ALPS did not appear to publish force diagrams like Cherry Corporation so most ALPS "feel" reviews are highly subjective. For example some people think Orange ALPS are smoother than Black ALPS, others feel no difference at all.

Although not an official manufacturers force diagram the one below seems accurate overall for most ALPS. The black line shows an actuation force of 70g fairly early in the keystroke, and a bit of an uneven curve as the switch continues it's travel. White Clicky Complicated ALPS are felt to be smoother. Blue Clicky Complicated ALPS are reported to be lighter.


Source.

[H="4"]Complicated ALPS - Tactile, Clicky[/H]
NOTE: In parentheses are reported keyboards that the switch has been found in. Before purchasing a ALPS keyboard be sure to do the research. Many ALPS keyboards have the same part number but different switches were used through their lifetime. For example the Wang 724 Terminal keyboard may have Black, Orange OR Pink ALPS. Even having a seller take a picture of the switch is not definitive. For example the a white key slider may indicate a Complicated Clicky ALPS or a Complicated Rubber Dampened ALPS or a Simplified ALPS. The only way you will know for sure is to take apart the switch.

For example the outside of this case makes this look like a standard Dell AT101W Black ALPS - Complicated NonClicky but tactile switches?


it is actuallyType 1 Simplifieds


ALPS Electronics left the keyboard and keyboard switch business in the 1990's. Some people prefer to call the newer one "FAKES" but I find the whole Fake versus Real designation to not really help in identifying the switch or more importantly how it feels. In addition it is difficult sometimes to see if the switch is made by ALPS before they sold off their business because sometimes the logo is on the BOTTOM of the switch and requires desoldering to check.


Sometimes the logo is BOTH on the top and the bottom.


Pic source, keyboard unknown


[h=5]White[/h]
Clicky and tactile

Keyboards:
Northgate Omnikey 101
Focus FK-2000 Plus
Focus FK-2001 without Windows keys
Focus FK-3000, 5000
Acer 6011
SOME Chicony KB-5161 AT/XT Switchable
NEC APC-HA410

Focus FK-2001 without Windows keys


NEC APC-HA410

Source - Ilia.

Click Leaf


[h=5]Blue[/h]
Clicky and tactile

Keyboards:
Some Northgate Omnikey Ultra and 101
PC-8801mk
Acer KB101a)
Laser
Some Samsung/Chiconey KB-5161



Picture Source

For Details and many more pics read the "Maybe Blue ALPS Collectors Are/Aren't Crazy" wikis.

[h=5]Deep Yellow (like a NYC Taxi)[/h]
Clicky and tactile

Keyboards:
Some early model Apple IIc models



The Click leaf is slightly different than the White Complicated Clicky ALPS. Link to post describing differences.



[H="4"]Complicated ALPS - Tactile, NonClicky[/H]
[h=5]Black[/h]
Tactile

Keyboards:
Dell AT-101 new logo
Dell AT-101W 0227KN
Dell AT-102/W
Some Wang 724 terminal keyboards)

Dell AT-101W


[h=5]Cream and SOME White[/h]
Tactile with rubber damper

Keyboards:
Apple Extended Keyboard II M3501 - Made In Mexico and Ireland. Made in Japan use Mitsumi switches
SGI Granite (PN 9500900, 9500829)


SGI Granite Switch Opened Up


SGI Granite Rubber Dampened Slider


Qwerter's Clinic Article on dampening action: link.

[h=5]Orange[/h]
Tactile

Keyboards:
Early Apple Keyboard M0116/M0115/GS II keyboard
Some Wang 724 Terminal keyboards

Some ALPS users believe the older Orange/Yellow/Blue ALPS have a smoother more solid "feel" the more common Black/White ALPS. This is probably because they generally use the Gray Switchplate.

Apple M0116, sold as option with the Mac SE

Photo courtesy of Dr. Jim. Source.

Apple Extended


The older Gray (although sometimes White) Switchplate is slightly longer than the newer White Switchplate and provides a more rigid surface for the slider to move along. Deskthority.net discussion here.

For Details read the "Maybe Blue ALPS Collectors Are/Aren't Crazy" wikis.




Pink: tactile (later Apple Keyboard M0116/M0115 , Dell AT-101 old logo, some Wang 724 Terminal keyboards)

Very similar to Orange but with the newer shorter White Switchplate. Different colored spring but pretty similar.


YouTube Video. Unfortunately the dude says not a word the entire video.
[video=youtube;Nm3Syrh-MWI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm3Syrh- ... dded#at=47[/video]


[H=4]Complicated ALPS - Linear (no bump in feel)[/H]
[h=5]Green[/h]
Linear - Activation Force 50g. No Tactile Leaf, Upper Case does not have slot for Tactile Leaf. In this pic you can see a smaller version of this switch with non-typical sliders.


Zenith ZKB-2
Zenith ZKB-3
Zenith Z-150
IBM 5556 keyboards
IBM PC JX keyboards


Picture Source

Notice they share the same gray switchplate as the Blue ALPS. This probably explains why the the Green ALPS is often referred to as "smoother" than later linear ALPS.


Grey: linear, stronger spring for space bar (Zenith ZKB-2)


Grey: linear, two position key for Caps Lock (Apple Extended Keyboard II)



Light Yellow: linear (Zenith ZKB-2, IBM Multistation keyboards)


Yellow with LED: linear (Focus 5001)

Source.

[H="3"]Simplified ALPS[/H]
Simplified ALPS are felt by some to be stiffer, louder, and not as smooth, with reports of inconsistencies in feeling across the keyboard. Some Simplified ALPS have the ALPS logo on the switch casing. The only way to tell if they are fake/simplified or not is to take the switch apart.

The Matias Tactile Pro 1.0 for example has switches stamped ALPS but it is a ALPS Simplified switch (Type 1 clicky). Link to more pics. .





NOTE: In parentheses are reported keyboards that the switch has been found in. Before purchasing a ALPS keyboard be sure to do the research. Many ALPS keyboards have the same part number but different switches were used through their lifetime. For example the Wang 724 Terminal keyboard may have Black, Orange OR Pink ALPS. Even having a seller take a picture of the switch is not definitive. For example the a white key slider may indicate a Complicated Clicky ALPS or a Complicated Rubber Dampened ALPS or a Simplified ALPS. The only way you will know for sure is to take apart the switch.

Most new keyboard products use these switches simply because the original complicated ALPS switch is no longer available. ALPS Electronics left the keyboard and keyboard switch business in the 1990's.

Blue: click (Focus FK-2001 with Windows keys)
Cream: click (Keypot Technology KPT-84)
White: click (Diatec Filco ZERO, Macally MK96)
Grey: tactile (Strong Man SMK-85)
Black: clicky (Filco FKB-109J)
Black: tactile (ABS M1)
Yellow: linear (DSI Big Font Keyboard)

Green: linear (Aron KB-106)


This taxonomy was first proposed by Sandy55 and is what is used at Geekhack.

[h=4]Simplified Type I[/h]
Type I . Note that these are sometimes erroneously referred to as Fukka. ?? (Fuhua or Forward Electronics) is more technically correct since they are the manufacturer but for the purposes of this Wiki it will just be referred to as "Type 1 Simplified". Generally regarded as less balky than XMs, activation force around 65g (although the spec says 70g +/- 25g)
Filco ZERO (new version) FKN87Z/EB - White clicky
ABS M1 Black nonclicky
Matias Tactile Pro 1 (earlier were Complicated, later Gray clicky),
Matias Tactile Pro 2.0, 3.0 - White clicky
Solidtek 6600 White clicky (Source)
Siig JK-US0112-S1 White clicky Source.
Avant Stellar and Prime White clicky

Notice they have a simplified switch mechanism but complicated style click/tactile leaf.



Grey Clicky on a Matias Tactile Pro 1.0


Source

Note: The Type IIs are interesting in that unlike most ALPS switches they appear to publish their specifications (ALPS I believe did too in their paper catalog but I haven't seen any scans online). Source.

Maximum contact rating 12 VDC, 100mA
Operation travel 3.5mm + .05mm (0.138 in.)
Type of contact Mechanical
Mechanical Key depression force 70 grams +/- 25 grams
Operation temp -20� C to 60� C (-4� F to 140� F)
Contact resistance 1 Ohm maximum
Storage temp -30�C to 70�C (-22�F to 158�F)
Contact bounce 5 ms maximum

[H=4]Simplified Type II[/h]
Type II nicknamed "XM". Activation force around 70g.

Keyboards using Simplified Type II ALPS:

Aron KB-AU106(Green Linear??)
Filco ZERO (old version) FKN87Z/EB-Y
DSI Big Font (Yellow linears)
Ducky 9008
Elsa Communications MAK-98 (source Sandy55)
F21-7d Mechanical Keyboard (Blue Clicky) (product Link)

Ceratech Monster Keyboard - different color schemes


Source: Ebay Listing
IDEA/Takumi Calculator (aka The Alpsulator)
Keypot Technology KPT-84
Macally MK96 (newer models)
Siig Minitouch and variants: Ortek MCK-89S, Filco DFK-81E2 - all clicky. NOTE - the current Siig Minitouch Plus is a rubber dome. Look for Model number 1903 and Model number 1948. Even then Model Number 1903 is sometimes a Monterey Switch. Safest thing, as always with ALPS, is to ask for the seller to pull a key and take a picture



Note the 4 tabs in the corners of the bottom housing.


These are visible even without pulling the switch apart.


Small copper colored click leaf.


Note the two slots in the upper housing. This makes it finicky to put back together.


Blue Clicky APC Version on F21-7d Mechanical Keyboard


Ducky 9008 XM Version



Green Switch exposed. Note the White Linear LED version next to it, also XM.


[H=4]Simplified Type III[/h]
Type III

Tactile NonClicky Strongmans. Unlike Sixty I'm pretty sure Strongman is out of business: Thread Link Discussing.

DSI SMK 85


Source.

DSI SMK-85



Notice the odd tactile leaf.

Source

Supposedly manufactured by Strongman (source).

[h=4]Simplified Type IV[/h]
The Simplified Type 4 is like a hybrid of Type 1 and Type 2. It has a wide leaf like a Type 1 but has a switch similar to a Type 2.

Focus 2001 with Windows Keys
Macally MK-96

Focus 2001 with Windows keys




Pictures from Sandy55

Macally MK-96




Comparing the Type IV upper housing with the Type II

pics courtesy of Sandy55
[H="2"]Low Profile ALPS[/H]
There are two types of low profile switch, both designed to be PCB mounted. The earlier type is known as "ALPS Linear" on Qwerters Clinic site. Later type is available in two variations: linear and click action. In ALPS' catalog 1994 edition, these are listed as SKFR/linear and SKFS/click. Features of SKFR/SKFS switches include 10.3mm height with 3.5mm travel, with built-in jumper lead.


[h=3]Earlier ALPS SFKR linear[/h]
Toshiba T5200
IBM 5556 keyboard P/N 5962851


On some IBM terminals in Japan.

Source. Also Laptop.

Toshiba 5200

Source.


[h=3]Newer ALPS SKFR linear and click[/h]
This is an example of a low profile ALPS from a ALPS ADB Touchpad:

SKFS/clicky - Apple Adjustable
http://www7.ocn.ne.jp/~hisao/image/adjustable.htm
http://sandy55.fc2web.com/keyboard/appl ... table.html


[H="2"]Leaf spring[/H]
US
Patent http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Pars ... er=3899648

This switch was developed under request of IBM Japan and is available only in IBM Japan's products.

IBM P70/P75 keyboard ( these are PS/2 but actually made by IBM Japan )
IBM 5576-001 ; To use on Win2000 and later, registry modification is needed.
IBM 5576-002 ; same as above

IBM P70 Alps keyboard

Source - Webwit.



This switch can be mounted onto PCB directly (older type) and on face plate (newer type).


It uses a buckling plate mechanism.





Source - Sandy55.

More info at the Deskthority.net wiki

[h=2]Buckling Spring[/h]

ALPS even made a buckling spring version! It has a lower travel and is supposedly not as tactile


This is a switch on a C. Itoh Keyboard

Source.

Also shown here on this Sega Teradrive keyboard.

Source

Never heard of the Sega Teradrive? Check this post.

More info here.
Or the excellent writeup by Ch_123 at Deskthority.net Wiki.


I haven't seen a picture of the actual buckling spring hammer but this is from the patent.


[H="2"]Rubber Dome[/H]
This is an ALPS individual switch containing a rubber dome.




[H="2"]Spring over Membrane[/H]


Source: Mousefan

[H="2"]Older Variations[/H]
In addition to the above three types, there are many switches developed by ALPS and these variations are considered predecessors to Bigfoot and low profile switch in ALPS development.

This for example is an older linear ALPS

Source.

Shares a similar switchplate design.


Note that although the older Vintage design shares the same switchplate overall design the pin geometry is a bit different than current Bigfoot ALPS and you can't switch for example M0110 ALPS into a Apple Extended II Keyboard.


This ALPS was used on the ALPS IIe.

Source

These from a Apple M0110.

Source.

Also the TI-99/4A, TRS-80 Model III

Source.

TRS-80 and Atari 800XL

Metal Plate - different switch design. More like a linear leaf.

Source.

Toshiba Home Computer HX-10D


Source.

[H="2"]Switches that LOOK like ALPS[/H]
Manufacturers OTHER than ALPS sometimes used sliders that can use ALPS keys and therefore have similar looking sliders.

[H=4]Montereys[/H]
Although keys are compatible with ALPS the switch internals are quite different. In addition you can not swap Montereys with ALPS.


Internal parts of the Monterey showing the difference.


More information in the Identify That Vintage Switch! - The Geekhack Switch Reference Wiki.

[H=4]Omrons[/H]
Blue: click
Yellow: click (pictures and description here at Sandy55's webpage)

White: linear

More information in the Identify That Vintage Switch! - The Geekhack Switch Reference Wiki.

[H=4]Acers[/H]
These have ALPS compatible stems but are completely unlike ALPS. They have a click mechanism mounted over a membrane so the switches are not interchangeable.


More on the key feel here.


pics courtesy of lowpoly


More information in the Identify That Vintage Switch! - The Geekhack Switch Reference Wiki.

[H=4]Datanetics[/h]
And this linear was not made by ALPS but used with early Apple computers. Datanetics manufactured these.

Source.

[h=4]Rubber dome lookalikes[/h]
There are also LOTS of rubber dome clones that use a ALPS compatible key stem. This is from a Macally MK-105X.

Source

Acer 6511 Rubber Dome


Another:

Source

More information in the Identify That Vintage Switch! - The Geekhack Switch Reference Wiki.

[h=2] Not Yet Identified[/h]
Although Cherry MX stem this has a ALPS logo on the bottom AND has 4 contact points.

Source.

[H="2"]Key and Switch Maintenance[/H]
Q. How do I take a key off an ALPS keyboard?

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:7018

Q. How to open up an ALPS switch?

see video here, using standard "2 screwdriver" method: http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:7121

Do NOT pry too aggressively or you will break the switch bottoms. The idea is to use thin screwdrivers, insert straight down, and pinch the two screwdrivers together and pull, not pry.

Additional info and alternate/faster methods:
http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=111922&postcount=11


Q. How do I reassemble it afterwards?

See video here: http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:7121

Note the orientation of the slider AND the upper case (although some people say they can't feel the difference).



Be cautious here. You can bend the tactile leaf so make sure you note the orientation of the click leaf.


A spot of vaseline or silicon grease will help "stick" the spring inside the slider and keep it from falling out, which is the main difficulty. Or use a magnet held above the slider.
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title= ... t=vaseline (scroll down a bit).



Also be super careful when reassembling Type 1 simplifieds. They actuation mechanism is very easy to damage even with correct upper case orientation. It's very easy to crush or bend them such that they don't work.

Q. How can I tell an Type II switch from a Type I without opening up the switch?

If you remove the key, you can tell between these two switch types without having to further open up the switch guts. You'll need a flashlight to peer at the left-right mounting tabs. See pics linked below. The left-right mounting tabs will be slightly different. The XM's tabs are "ridges" and the Type I's tabs are "flat".
You can see that difference here: http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=109390&postcount=1
If you do open up the guts (and as an alternate photo shoot), you'll see this difference: http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=116887&postcount=93

[H="2"]Modifications[/H]

Q
. How do I turn my black alps into a poor man's white alps?

Mod to get your black alps to click somewhat.

Q. How do I install dampened sliders into a alps board to silence the click sound a bit?

This actual mod being done, example 1.
This actual mod being done, example 2.
See here for lots of additional details: http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=174311&postcount=68

Q. Which ALPS boards/switches are a good source for Rubber Dampened sliders?

Apple Extended Keyboard II (the serial number, usually located underneath the bar code, MUST begin with the letter A) or SGI keyboards (part no 9500900) are commonly available on Ebay.

Q. Help, my alps switch seems to be stuck after I modded it!

Common problem. See this postor the thread its in.

Q. I need a ALPS Switch Removal Guide Video made by a dude named Pamperchu that dresses up his GF in pampers.
[video=youtube;PLgQvmF3zOk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLgQvmF3 ... ideo_title[/video]

A. The Geekhack Wiki has the most wonderful and weird keyboard info on the InterToobs. Link.