I just came across a package of unused keyboard switches. The only thing I know about this is that they were manufactured in Mexico. And that is only because it says "ASM MEXICO" on the plastic.
The bottom base is 9/16 inches square. The top part is 3/4 inches square. Top to bottom of the base (not including the keycap mount) is 5/8 inches. The keycap mount is a cross pattern, much like the Cherry switches.
Taking the switch apart, these are the pieces. The keycap mount is angled slightly. A square magnet is inserted into the mount, with the spring placed on top of the magnet.
Inside the switch, it looks like a light bulb of some kind. It looks like this switch relies on magnetism in some form. I've yet to play with this switch because I have no idea how it actually works. Any insight would be great!
Unidentifiable keyboard switch from Mexico
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- Favorite switch: Cherry
- DT Pro Member: -
Finding out a bit more about this switch...
Although I still don't know who made it, I did find out that the tube is not a light bulb, but rather it is a glass tube filed with inert gas. It is used in a "reed switch", based on magnetism, which is what I suspected in this switch.
http://www.engineersgarage.com/articles ... ifications
Although I still don't know who made it, I did find out that the tube is not a light bulb, but rather it is a glass tube filed with inert gas. It is used in a "reed switch", based on magnetism, which is what I suspected in this switch.
http://www.engineersgarage.com/articles ... ifications
- seebart
- Offtopicthority Instigator
- Location: Germany
- Main keyboard: Rotation
- Main mouse: Steelseries Sensei
- Favorite switch: IBM capacitive buckling spring
- DT Pro Member: 0061
- Contact:
wow, quite a find. I've never seen this switch before.
- Daniel Beardsmore
- Location: Hertfordshire, England
- Main keyboard: Filco Majestouch 1 (home)/Poker II backlit (work)
- Main mouse: MS IMO 1.1
- Favorite switch: Probably not whatever I wrote here
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
At least one of those photos is from Electronic Surplus. This is the one I knew about from Mexico:
http://www.electronicsurplus.com/unmark ... i-pin-lamp
For whatever reason, I didn't include any of those in my order a couple of years ago. This is the one from the topic, which is filed under reed switches instead of pushbutton switches (otherwise I would have bought a pack at the time):
http://www.electronicsurplus.com/unmark ... ckage-of-4
Interestingly, both say "ASM MEXICO".
I most associate Mexico with Maxi Switch, but Alps and Lexmark also had keyboards produced there.
Here's the switch in a keyboard — scroll down to the Aydin Controls photos:
http://deskthority.net/external-f34/bes ... t4455.html
http://www.electronicsurplus.com/unmark ... i-pin-lamp
For whatever reason, I didn't include any of those in my order a couple of years ago. This is the one from the topic, which is filed under reed switches instead of pushbutton switches (otherwise I would have bought a pack at the time):
http://www.electronicsurplus.com/unmark ... ckage-of-4
Interestingly, both say "ASM MEXICO".
I most associate Mexico with Maxi Switch, but Alps and Lexmark also had keyboards produced there.
Here's the switch in a keyboard — scroll down to the Aydin Controls photos:
http://deskthority.net/external-f34/bes ... t4455.html