Editing Alternate action (section)

===Cam track===
The vast majority of alternate action switches use a cam track: a roughly heart-shaped linear cam track. A follower arm traverses this track, and the dip in the centre top captures the follower and thereby the slider. Ramps within this track ensure that the follower always proceeds the correct way around the track. To keep the follower pressed against the track and ensure that it engages the ramps, some source of pressure is required. In [[Alps SKFL Lock]], the follower pin sits in front of a leaf spring, while [[RAFI full-travel key switch]] and [[SMK lock]] use a helical pressure spring. [[Alps SKCL Lock]] uses a flexible plastic arm as the follower, and resistance to flexing provides the pressure.

The cam track can be moulded into the slider, with the follower located in the switch (as used by Alps, SMK and Mitsumi), or the cam track can be placed in the switch, with a follower arm connected to the slider (as used by RAFI and Futaba).

Currently, Cherry and Omron are the only brands known to have opted for any method besides a cam track.

<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:Alps SKFL Lock -- slider with latch track.jpg                   | [[Alps SKFL Lock]] slider with cam track
File:Futaba-Lock-Upper.JPG                                           | Base of [[Futaba lock]] with stationary cam track insert
File:SMK lock -- lower side view.jpg                                 | The follower pin in [[SMK lock]] has its own slide-in module
File:Alps lock disassembled.jpg                                      | [[Alps SKCL Lock]] partially disassembled
File:RAFI RS 74 M SPDT latching -- slide block partially removed.jpg | [[RAFI RS 74 M SPDT latching]] slide block partially removed
</gallery>