When I picked up Atex keyboard, I wasn't really hoping for much.
Turns out I was in for a surprise
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The inside of the keyboard was made by a company called Digitran (seems they still exist too, http://www.digitran-switches.com/).
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Looking at the switch, assembly, my guess would be linear. But according to the force curve, it's a bit more interesting than that.
Then looking at the bottom of the pcb...
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It took me a little while to realize that this is a capacitive switch, where one of the electrodes physically moves. This is in contrast to nearly every single capacitive sensing keyboard switch (except for this one photos-videos-f64/teletype-40k-104-dab-t6594.html).
Conveniently, there are even patents listed on the pcb.
https://patents.google.com/patent/US3750113A (NKRO scanning)
https://patents.google.com/patent/US4408252A (Switch)
https://patents.google.com/patent/US4412754A (Low-profile spacebar assembly)
For 1983-1984, Digitran did really achieve a low-profile keyboard, compared to a lot of other keyboards of the time.
The keycaps are mostly (crap and thin) doubleshot ABS. Though there are a few engraved/infilled keycaps as well.
But enough talk, more pictures.
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And yes, that's a Radio Shack key.
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Flickr Album: https://flic.kr/s/aHskGLThEK
Atex KDO158-01
- HaaTa
- Master Kiibohd Hunter
- Location: San Jose, California, USA
- Main keyboard: Depends the day
- Main mouse: CST L-TracX
- Favorite switch: Fujitsu Leaf Spring/Topre/BS/Super Alps
- DT Pro Member: 0006
- Contact:
- Mr. J
- Location: Germany
- Main keyboard: Vortex Tab75
- Main mouse: ThinkPad Laser
- Favorite switch: Lubed Cherry MX Silent Red
- DT Pro Member: -
I found a nice story about this keyboard, maybe it's interesting...
http://techmediatainment.blogspot.de/20 ... apers.html
http://techmediatainment.blogspot.de/20 ... apers.html
-
- Location: Amsterdam
- Main keyboard: variable: beamspring, Northgate, IBM SSK, Topre
- Main mouse: CST L-Trac
- Favorite switch: beamspring, dampened complicated white Alps, Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
that is a beautiful keyboard !Mr. J wrote: ↑I found a nice story about this keyboard, maybe it's interesting...
http://techmediatainment.blogspot.de/20 ... apers.html
I have a keyboard like the one in the top picture in that article; looks nice but rather crappy foam and foil switches.
Seems there is an identical looking version with a Microswitch interior (which is what I was hoping for when I got it)..