Editing Perkin-Elmer 3700 keyboard

{{infobox dkeyboard
| name         = Perkin-Elmer 3700 keyboard
| image name   = PerkinElmer3700kb-front top view.jpg
| model        =
| pn           = 
| fcc          = 
| branding     = [[Perkin-Elmer]]
| family       =
| manufacturer = [[Hi-Tek]]
| switch       = [[Hi-Tek High Profile]] and [[Hi-Tek Dovetail Series]]
| layouts      = 
| features     =
| keycaps      = [[Double-shot molding|double-shot]] [[Spherical keycap|spherical]]
| interface    = 37 pin male D-sub
| rollover     =
| weight       =
| years        = mid 1980s
| introduced   =
| discontinued = Yes<ref name="discontinued" />
| precedes     =
| supersedes   = 
| price        =
}}

The '''Perkin-Elmer 3700 keyboard''' is the keyboard of the Perkin-Elmer Data Station 3700. This 'microcomputer' was used to record, process, analyze, visualize, manipulate and store data obtained from a range of Perkin-Elmer's chemical analysis instruments. Typical applications were infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, atomic spectroscopy and gas chromatography.
[[ File:PerkinElmer3700kb-top view.jpg |300px|thumb|right|Top view.]]

==Design and features==
Interfacing with the Data Station computer is realized via a male, 37 pin D-sub connector of which only 16 pins are populated. The innards of the keyboard are enclosed in a very sturdy plastic case with wall thicknesses measuring up to 11.5 mm. A trapless wheel protrudes through the back side (function unknown). The keys are organized in 1) an alphanumeric block, 2) a numpad including cursor keys and operating keys and 3) a number of half size function keys. The largest part of the top of the case consists of an aluminium inlay. Different inlays would allow configurations with more or less function keys; the PCB supports up to 32. Inside of the keyboard, a buzzer is installed on the PCB.
[[File:PerkinElmer3700kb-case shell inside.jpg |300px|thumb|none|The very sturdy case.]]

==Keycaps==
The keycaps are thick, spherical [[Double-shot molding|double shots]] in three color combinations: white legends on black, white legends on blue and black legends on white. All rows have the same [[Keyboard profile|profile]]. Only the space bar makes use of a proper wire-type [[Stabiliser|stabilizer]] while the RETURN key is stabilized by simply spanning two switches. Worth noting is that the half size, blank function keys have a split mounting stem which seems otherwise identical to a normal cap's mounting stem.
[[File:PerkinElmer3700kb-closeup.jpg|300px|thumb|none|A closer view of the keycaps.]]

==Switches==
The '''Perkin-Elmer 3700 keyboard''' makes use of [[Hi-Tek High Profile]] grids and discrete [[Hi-Tek Dovetail Series]] modules. The main alphanumeric area is a 63-key flat-top High Profile grid, and the numeric keypad uses two waffle frame 3×4 grids placed side by side to form a 6×4 area of keys. The remaining keys use six 1×4 Dovetail modules placed sideways to give 4×1-key rows. The 63-key grid includes the stabilizing system for the space bar and an [[alternate action]] switch for the [[Shift lock]] key.

[[File:PerkinElmer3700kb-PCB detail left top corner.jpg|300px|thumb|none|Hi-Tek Dovetail switches.]]

==Gallery==
<gallery widths=250 heights=167>
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-front top view.jpg                | Top front view.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-top view.jpg                      | Top view. The "SYS" key is missing (lower right corner).
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-closeup.jpg                       | Closeup.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-front view.jpg                    | Front view.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-back top view.jpg                 | View from the back.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-bottom.jpg                        | Bottom view.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-side view.jpg                     | Side view.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-without keycaps top view.jpg      | Without keycaps.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-subd connector.jpg                | D-sub connector.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-keycaps1.jpg                      | Keycaps. Note the space bar in the back.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-keycaps2.jpg                      | Keycaps from different angles.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-return key bottom.jpg             | Bottom side of the RETURN keycap.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-space bar and stablizer.jpg       | Detail of the space bar and its stabilizer mount.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-keycap vs SP SA row3.jpg          | Perkin-Elmer SHIFT keycap (left) vs. a row3 [[Signature Plastics SA family]] keycap (right, from the [[Round 4]] group buy).
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-keycap vs SP SA row3 bottom.jpg   | Perk-Elmer SHIFT keycap (left) vs. a row3 [[Signature Plastics SA family]] keycap (right, from the [[Round 4]] group buy).
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-case shell inside.jpg             | The case shell. Marked August 1985.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-case removed side view.jpg        | Innards, side view.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-PCB top.jpg                       | Top view of the PCB.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-PCB bottom.jpg                    | Bottom view of the PCB.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-PCB detail left top corner.jpg    | Top left corner of the PCB, with Dovetail modules.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-PCB detail buzzer and wheel.jpg   | Buzzer and wheel on the PCB.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-Hi-Tek Corporation.jpg            | HI-TEK CORPORATION inscription on the switch assembly.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-switch assembly detail1.jpg       | [[Hi-Tek High Profile]] switches.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-switch assembly detail2.jpg       | Several broken switch sliders.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-switch assembly detail3.jpg       | Two 3×4 blocks of switches.
File:PerkinElmer3700kb-Hi-Tek linear latching switch.jpg | Latching switch for the SHIFT LOCK key.
</gallery>

==External links==
=== Adverts ===
Examples of some advertisements featuring ''predecessors'' of the Perkin-Elmer Model 3700 Data Station:

* Perkin-Elmer ICP/5000 Atomic spectroscopy — [http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ac50051a715 <i>J. Anal. Chem.</i>, <b>1980</b>, <i>52</i>, 22A]
* Perkin-Elmer: Computer Aided Chemistry — [http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ac00238a792 <i>J. Anal. Chem.</i>, <b>1982</b>, <i>54</i>, 101A]
* Perkin-Elmer Model 1500 FT/IR and Data Station 3600 — [http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ac00250a717 <i>J. Anal. Chem.</i>, <b>1982</b>, <i>54</i>, 1355A]

===Other===
* Deskthority — [http://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f8/perkin-elmer-3700-keyboard-t7026.html Perkin-Elmer 3700 keyboard]
* Youtube — [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrjNeiNGaqo Video of the latching switch in action]

==References==
<references>
<ref name="discontinued">As of Dec-2013, the Data Station 3700 has been discontinued for over 25 years — <i>Private communication with a Perkin-Elmer service person</i>.</ref>
</references>

[[Category:Perkin-Elmer keyboards]]
[[Category:Special purpose keyboards]]
[[Category:Keyboards with Hi-Tek Dovetail switches]]
[[Category:List of all keyboards]]