Hi-Tek / Stackpole switch research topic

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Let's see what we can find out about these!

Melvang over at Geekhack found this amazing gem:

Confirmed Hi-Tek Corporation switches in the HP 9816 keyboard:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jkeller-ch ... otostream/

Discrete switches, Hi-Tek logo on some of the switches, and Hi-Tek name on the stabiliser mount and the PCB. This finally settles the debate as to whether they're the precursor of the [wiki]NMB Hi-Tek[/wiki] design, although I suspect they have nothing to do with NMB. (I've e-mailed NMB Germany (!) to see if they can confirm if and when NMB/Minebea bought Hi-Tek Corporation.)

Confirmed Stackpole switches in the Atari 800:

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/105170 ... ge__st__25
http://www.ebay.com/itm/800-Replacement ... 0903780284

… and in the Oric Atmos keyboard:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Rare-St ... 0629234460

These are the "strutted" design: the switches are a single, large moulding that sits on a PCB, and this is the common variant that we normally see. The underside of the moulding bears holes — it's not clear how it contacts the PCB:

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/780/photo3nk.jpg
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/8479/photo1vhv.jpg
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/6779/photo2dr.jpg
http://www.vintagecomputer.net/LSI/ADM3 ... 9470-5.jpg


Who else has photos of Stackpole/Hi-Tek keyboards that confirm the PCB/switch branding along with the switch style?


PS The VT100 keyboard has a similar but distinctly different design:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46660

[mr_a500]

Confirmed Stackpole switches in the Atari 800:

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/105170 ... ge__st__25
http://www.ebay.com/itm/800-Replacement ... 0903780284

Is it confirmed? I can't see the markings on that Atari 800 board on eBay (picture too small) but I thought that board was made by Mitsumi. In that Atariage thread, I said I thought the 800XL "type 4" switch was similar to the DEC VT100 but was later proven wrong (didn't want to rip apart my keyboard to find out). It's one version of the TI-99/4a that has those "stackpole" switches.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Better photos here:

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/155452 ... d-circuit/

[Daniel]

The switches of the keyboard of the HP 9816 look the same as on my HP 2382: http://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f8 ... t5471.html

[Daniel Beardsmore]

They do not. The HP 9816 has discrete Hi-Tek switches soldered to a Hi-Tek branded PCB. The HP 2382 has all the switches moulded out of a large block of plastic, which is the normal design that thus far has only been confirmed with Stackpole's name on the PCB.

The specific reason why I asked for the PCB/switch branding is to see if we can tie either design to Hi-Tek or Stackpole.

I've had what seems to be confirmation that the design is Stackpole's. Hi-Tek used the design for their own switches — I don't have all the details yet, and whether this was a licenced design sharing. It's a complex relationship between various companies together with name changes, mergers etc and Hi-Tek was a manufacturing partner.

I suspect that Hi-Tek opted for the discrete switch approach, but the only way to be sure is to check the names on the PCBs.

[Daniel]

Oh I see Thank you for your clarification.

[mr_a500]

Better photos here:

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/155452 ... d-circuit/

Ah, so that 800 is a Stackpole keyboard. Strange.

I'd be interested in finding out the origins of this switch. Although I don't like the feel of the switch (too much friction), it appears to have been one of the main switches used in the 70's and early 80's. I've seen it on DEC, HP, Heathkit, Hazeltine and other terminal and computer keyboards of the era.

This Hi-Tek / Stackpole confusion reminds me of the SMK / Maxi Switch confusion.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

There's a topic on the Atari forum where someone points out that the 800XL had both Stackpole and Hi-Tek keyboards, and that they look the same.

What I'm trying to establish is whether they're visually distinguishable. We know that there are two basic styles: discrete (e.g. HP 9816) and monolithic (with the "strutted" switch moulding, e.g. HP 2382, and the Stackpole Atari 800XL keyboard), and two slider styles (those in the VT100 differ from other keyboards).

Photos showing the keyboards and the PCB branding will help us figure this out.

In terms of SMK/Maxi Switch/NEC, all three are completely identical apart from colour and branding. That's much more confusing.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

[wiki]Stackpole switch grid[/wiki]
[wiki]Hi-Tek linear switch[/wiki]

Everything currently known. NMB vintage linear redirects to Stackpole switch grid, as the design referred to as NMB is the Stackpole one, not the genuine Hi-Tek variant only just discovered.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Confirmation that the "waffle frame" (love the name) version was made by both companies:

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/205687 ... try2650324

[HaaTa]

I have a bunch more of these keyboards now, will take pictures once I'm done moving. Some look different than what I've seen so far.

[Dmiloh]

There was no relationship between Stackpole and Hi-Tek. Hi-Tek was the originator of the switch design and Stackpole copied it. Minebea acquired Hi-Tek Corp in about 1983. To my knowledge, there was no relationship with NMB/Minebea and Stackpole.

[Todd]

Hello,

I would like to buy a HI-Tek keyboard 373-40396 or 373-70100 to replace my worn board.
Please email me or call me at 951 897-4796
Thanks
Todd