Unidentifiable keyboard switch from Mexico

[groinksan]

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.

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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.

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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!

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[groinksan]

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

[seebart]

wow, quite a find. I've never seen this switch before.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

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