SMK inverse cross mount
 | |
| Manufacturer | SMK |
|---|---|
| Family | SMK second generation |
| Switch type | Clicky, tactile |
| Sense method | Metal leaf |
| Total travel | 3.8 mm |
| Keycap mount | Custom |
| Switch mount | Plate mount |
SMK inverse cross is a member of the SMK second generation family with a characteristic negative cruciform mount. The cross is taller than it is wide, requiring custom keycaps. Keycap removal and insertion is unusually easy; keycaps can be removed using finger pressure alone.
Unique among SMK switches, the characteristic inverse cross variant supports diodes and jumpers by way of holes in the base. The shell also makes room for an LED.[1]
The inverse cross variants are branded "SMK" on the base.
Contents
Keyfeel
The tactile switches are smooth, with a fairly precise tactile point; the feel is similar to Alps SKCM Blue but with reduced tactility. The switch is lighter than Alps SKCM Salmon, and far smoother than bamboo Alps SKCM Black. The switch feels comparatively light, but is likely to be in the region of 60 g.
Colours
The colours below are not all confirmed; due the similarities in tone, some apparent colours may be the result of aging plastics. Also, multiple hues and shades can be found in the same keyboard, so the colours may have little meaning.
| White: Tactile | |
| Yellow: Tactile[2] | |
| Pink: Tactile[3] | |
| Grey-pink: Tactile[3] | |
| Orange: Tactile[3] | |
| Grey: Tactile[3] | |
| Brown: Clicky[4] | |
| Blue: Tactile[5] |
Keyboards
The Sony and Tulip keyboards appear to be a standard SMK design, based on the SMK part numbers found on the PCBs.
- Canon Cat (White, ???)
- Datadesk Mac 101 60420-7 II (White, ???)[6]
- Epson PCKB6 (White, Tactile)[7]
- Unbranded SMK OEM (same layout as Sony PCY-333) (Various Colors, Tactile)[3]
- Sony PCY-333 (Yellow, Tactile)[8][2]
- Tulip ATK 03.01.44 (White, Tactile)
- Tulip ATK 02.01.01 (Grey-Brown, Clicky)
Gallery
White (tactile)
From a Tulip ATK 03.01.44 keyboard:
White tactile switches
White tactile switches on mounting plate
Close-up
Rear view
Keycap
Single, de-soldered switch
Rear view
Base
Insert thin implement and prise clip open
Upper shell fully clear
Switch opened up
Static contact wire in its recess
Static contact wire removed
Tactile leaf removed
Lower shell, with differing front and back heights (photo is from SMK Alps mount variant, but the design is the same)
Fully disassembled
Partially reassembled with both contacts in place
Brown (clicky)
From a Tulip ATK 02.01.01 keyboard:
Brown clicky switches
Closer view on mounting plate
Tortoiseshell (tactile)
Random colour assortment in a tactile keyboard:[3]
Yellow
Spotted on an ebay listing, keyboard seems to be a KB3000 SMK keyboard, a rebranded Tulip SMK series
References
- ↑ Google+ — SMK TCMK-81X Dated 2012-10-30. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Atelier Silencium — メカニカル キーボード (Japanese) Dated 2010-02-17. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 MouseFan — SONY ? PCY-333 ? PS/2 Taiwan (Japanese) Dated 2004-02-02. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
- ↑ Deskthority — New name for SMK "clicky" switches Posted 2013-05-19. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
- ↑ Deskthority — Alps Appreciation Dated 2019-05-31. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
- ↑ Imgur — Datadesk International Mac 101 60420-7 II (SMK Inverse Cross Mount - White) Posted 2022-04-09.
- ↑ MouseFan — EPSON PCKB6 '90 (Japanese) Dated 2004-02-02. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
- ↑ kaineko2 — SONY PCY-333 (Japanese) Retrieved 2015-08-01.
