Editing Alps SKCM Blue

{{infobox dswitch
| image name        = Alps SKCM Blue -- infobox.jpg
| manufacturer      = [[Alps Electric]]
| family            = [[Alps SKCL/SKCM series]]
| product code      = SKCMAG
| contact mechanism = [[Contact mechanism#Metal leaf|Metal leaf]]
| switch type       = Clicky
| switch mount      = [[Switch mount#Plate mount|Plate mount]]
| keycap mount      = [[Keycap mount#Alps mount|Alps mount]]
| discontinued      = 
| precedes          = [[Alps SKCM White]]
| lifetime          = 20 M
| actuation force   = 70 gf
| travel            = 3.5 mm
| patents           = [http://www.google.com/patents/US4642433 US4642433] (1985)
}}

'''Alps SKCM Blue''', '''complicated blue Alps''', or simply '''blue Alps''', is a clicky switch in the [[Alps SKCL/SKCM series]].

==Description==
Complicated blue Alps are highly regarded for their smooth feel. The reason for this is the now-discontinued Threebond TB2581P lubricant.<ref name="Threebond-lube" /> Before the name was known, Sandy reported finding the dry lubricant applied to the sliders of an [[Acer KB-101A]].<ref name="Sandy-lube" />

Blue Alps switches are normally branded only on the bottom. Identification is assisted by the unusual greyish-blue colour of the [[slider]]; while there are [[Alps clone]] switches with blue sliders, none of them have the same shade of blue slider, preferring teal and vivid blue.

The [[switchplate]] is typically grey full-height, Rarely black full-height, also white (Short and full-height) switchplates have been found in blue Alps switches.

==Specifications==
The following image, taken by alps.tw,<ref name="KBT-visit" /> contains the only known official documentation on the blue Alps switch:

[[File:Alps SKCMAF and SKCMAG specifications.jpg]]

The image shows a heading of "Mechanical Contact with Tactile CM(KCM) Series"; it is likely that Alps meant to write "Mechanical Contact with Tactile ''Feedback'': CM(KCM) Series" or "Mechanical Contact with ''Tactility'': CM(KCM) Series". "CM Series" here refers to the switches. KCM Series may be a general term for all Alps-made keyboards with these switches.

==Variants==
Known variants include:

{| class="wikitable"
! Switchplate Color !! Switchplate Length !! Alps Logo !! Generation
|-
| Black || Long || No Logo || Pine (with slits)
|-
| Grey || Long || No Logo || Pine (with slits)
|-
| White || Long || No Logo || Pine (with slits)
|-
| White || Long || Logo || Pine (with slits)
|-
| White || Short || Logo || Pine (with slits)
|}

'''"Pale/Sky" Blue Variant'''

At least three examples have been found of unique Blue Alps in Acer keyboards containing sliders with a paler "sky" blue color and ridges on the inside of the stem. They have tentatively been named "Pale" or "Sky" Blue Alps.

The first example was found in a Tektronix rebranded Acer KB-101A/TK <ref name="SkyBlueAlps1" />, a second example was found in an Acer branded 6023 <ref name="SkyBlueAlps2" /> and a third example was found in an Acer branded KB-101A <ref name="SkyBlueAlps3" />.

<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:SkyBlueRidges.png | "Pale/Sky" SKCM Blue Alps contain these ridges on the inside of the stem, differentiating them from regular SKCM Blue Alps.
File:SkyBlueComparison.jpg | Comparison with other various Blue Alps switches, highlighting differences in dye consistencies vs. the paler "Pale/Sky" blue stem.
</gallery>

==Keyboards==
<div style="-moz-column-width: 20em; -webkit-column-width: 20em; column-width: 20em; max-width: 65em; /* Three columns */">
* Some [[Accodata Keycat]]
* Acer 6023<ref name="SkyBlueAlps2" />
* Some [[Acer KB-084AS]]
* Some [[Acer KB-101A]] & KB-102A
* Acer KB-123<ref name="KB-123" />
* BIOS Express KCME907L<ref name="BIOSexpress" />
* Canon AK202-WAK<ref name="CanonAK202"/>
* Canon C202-AKB<ref name="CanonC202"/>
* Some [[Chicony KB-5152]]
* Some [[Chicony KB-5160]]
* Some [[Chicony KB-5161]] & KB-5162
* Some Chicony KB-5170<ref name="Chicony5170" />
* Some [[Chicony KB-5181]] & KB-5182
* [[Copam K-430]]
* Some [[Datacomp DFK102 | Datacomp DFK-102]]
* Some [[Datacomp DFK515 | Datacomp DFK-515]](AT)<ref name="Datacomp"/>
* Some [[Datacomp DFK777 | Datacomp DFK-777]]
* Datatech SPK-100<ref name="Datatech" />
* Deltagold DGK-100<ref name="Deltagold" />
* Deltagold DGK-200<ref name="Deltagold1"/>
* Elonex K-430<ref name="elonex"/>
* Some [[Focus FK-555]]<ref name="Focus_FK555" />
* Focus FK-727<ref name="Focus_727_747" />
* Focus FK-747<ref name="Focus_727_747" />
* Some [[Focus FK-2001]] & [[Focus FK-2002 | FK-2002]]
* Some [[Focus FK-3001]]
* [[Forward Electronics FDA-101]]
* Jameco JE1015<ref name="Jameco" />
* Some [[Jameco JE2016]]
* Keytrak KM 94/95 (FCCID: F7Y43MKB525)<ref name="Keytrak" />
* [[VTCL F810 | Laser / VTCL F810]]
* [[Leading Edge DC-2014]] & DC-92014<ref name="Leading92014" />
* Some [[Leading Edge DC-2214]]
* Most [[Leading Edge DC-3014]]
* Some [[Monterey K101]]
* Some [[Monterey K104]]
* Some Monterey K2AX<ref name="K2AX" />
* Multitech KB097<ref name="Multitech"/>
* Some [[NEC PC-8801]] (Types A & B)
* [[NEC PC-8801|NEC PC-8801 Mk II SR]]
* NEC PowerMate Portable<ref name="PowerMate" />
* Nisemono Model M clone<ref name="Nisemono" />
* Some [[Northgate OmniKey]] (early models)
* Some [[NTC KB-6151]]
* Some [[NTC KB-6251]]/6252
* Some Ortek / [[OEMMAX MCK-101]]
* Some [[Ortek MCK-101 (curved) | Ortek / OEMMAX MCK-101 (curved)]]
* Some Ortek / [[OEMMAX MCK-860]]
* Packard Bell T9102<ref name="Packard"/>
* [[Panasonic Business Partner 286]]
* Qtronix QX201<ref name="QTRONIX" />
* Some SIIG Suntouch K101<ref name="SIIG_K101" />
* SIIG Suntouch K84<ref name="SIIG_K84" />
* SPC KB-5170 <ref name="SPC" />
* Some [[Tai-Hao TH-5539]]
* Some [[Tulip ATK 030244]]
</div>

==Clones==
[[Simplified Alps Type III]] is a clone of the Alps SKCMAG. The switch appears to be an earlier [[Hua-Jie AK series|Hua-Jie AK-CN2]] adapted to use a shell derived from an Alps SKCMAG; unlike most clones, Type III is clearly intended to fool people into mistaking it for a real Alps product, aided by Alps having neglected to visibly brand their switches.

The most obvious difference between the clone and genuine article is that the clone switch has a vivid blue slider, instead of the blue-grey of the Alps product. The clone switch replicates the telltale slits in the slider hole as well as the long side tabs that normally indicate a genuine Alps switch. The upper shell may be derived directly from an Alps moulding, as a plastic support plate was required to support the contact plates where normally the shell has dedicated recesses. A similar switch has been found with a custom shell with the proper recesses.

<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:Simplified Alps Type III disassembled.jpg | Type III simplified, disassembled
</gallery>

==Gallery==
<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:NTC KB-6252EA switch.jpg                      | Blue Alps switch in an [[NTC KB-6252EA]] keyboard
File:Alps SKCM Blue -- loose switches.jpg          | Loose switches
File:Alps SKCM blue complicated.jpg                | Blue Alps switches in a [[Chicony 5160|Chicony 5160C]] keyboard
File:Alps.tw Type BA1 -- Alps blue complicated.jpg | Partially disassembled switch, possibly from an undated [[Acer KB-084AS]]
File:Alps SKCM Blue -- white switchplate.jpg       | Rare white [[switchplate]] version, partially disassembled, from a 1987 [[Acer KB-101A]]
</gallery>

==References==
<references>
<ref name="Sandy-lube">A Little bit of Keyboards — [http://sandy55.fc2web.com/keyboard/acer_kb101a.html acer kb101a] Posted 2004-06-03.</ref>
<ref name="Threebond-lube">Alps Lubricant FOUND! — [https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=23878 Threebond TB2581P] Posted 2020-05-07.</ref>
<ref name="KBT-visit">KBtalKing — [http://kbtalking.cool3c.com/article/18452?page=2 ㊣㊣台灣黑軸與台灣白軸的樣式㊣㊣] Dated 2014-01-17. Retrieved 2015-07-21.</ref>
<ref name="Focus_FK555">Geekhack — [http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58832 $2 Goodwill keyboard with Blue Alps?] Posted 2014-05-26. Retrieved 2015-07-21.</ref>
<ref name="SkyBlueAlps1">Deskthority — [https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=20070&p=427839 KB-101A/TK] Posted 2018-11-04.</ref>
<ref name="SkyBlueAlps2">Deskthority — [https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=12915&start=3060 Alps Appreciation] Posted 2019-05-09.</ref>
<ref name="SkyBlueAlps3">Imgur — [https://imgur.com/a/KLkra16 "Sky" Blue Alps SKCM Switches in Acer KB101A] Posted 2022-01-22.</ref>
<ref name="Deltagold">Imgur — [https://imgur.com/a/5laTzgP Deltagold] Posted 2018-09-01.</ref>
<ref name="Nisemono">Deskthority — [https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=19660 Nisemono Model M] Posted 2018-08-21.</ref>
<ref name="KB-123">YouTube — [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD62uRV0yMs&ab_channel=mcmaxmcmc Acer KB-123 Keyboard Typing Video] Posted 2019-10-24.</ref>
<ref name="SPC">Imgur — [https://imgur.com/a/tzuPH SPC KB-5170] Posted 2014-02-12.</ref>
<ref name="BIOSexpress">Sandy55 — [http://sandy55.fc2web.com/keyboard/bios_exp.html BIOS Express KCME907L] Updated 2004-09-05.</ref>
<ref name="QTRONIX">Deskthority — [https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=22791 Qtronix QX201] Posted 2019-09-19.</ref>
<ref name="Leading92014">Imgur — [https://imgur.com/a/kMNc6V7 Leading Edge 92014 Blue Alps] Posted 2022-03-31.</ref>
<ref name="Chicony5170">Imgur — [https://imgur.com/a/DM2Dldr Chicony 5170 Blue Alps] Posted 2022-03-31.</ref>
<ref name="Keytrak">Imgur — [https://imgur.com/a/eCN9Yr2 Keytrak KM94/95] Posted 2022-03-30.</ref>
<ref name="K2AX">Deskthority — [https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=16230 The Monterey K2AX Has Landed In....You Guessed It - Canada.] Posted 2017-03-27.</ref>
<ref name="Jameco">Deskthority — [https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=88649.0 Question about a Monterey/Jameco JE1015] Posted 2017-04-02.</ref>
<ref name="Focus_727_747">Deskthority — [https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=22137 Need help (anyone with a Focus FK-727 or 747)] Posted 2019-06-30.</ref>
<ref name="Datatech">Geekhack — [https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=78648.0 Datatech SPK-100: solid board with metal back, blue alps(?)] Posted 2016-01-13.</ref>
<ref name="SIIG_K101">Geekhack — [https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=97701.0 Suntouch SIIG K101 - Are these really SKCM Blue Alps??] Posted 2018-10-11.</ref>
<ref name="SIIG_K84">Imgur — [https://imgur.com/a/nTfKuGS SIIG Suntouch K84 (Alps SKCM Blue) (Credit: kralcifer)] Originally posted 2020-08-16.</ref>
<ref name="PowerMate">Imgur — [https://imgur.com/a/GFzq6ZJ NEC PowerMate Portable (SKCM Blue Alps) (Credit: Jonnyadler)] Posted 2022-04-03.</ref>
<ref name="Datacomp">YouTube — [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBF0U5c6ke4 Datacomp DFK-515AT review (Alps SKCM Blue)] Uploaded 2017-02-25.</ref>
<ref name="Packard">Geekhack — [https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=86189.0 Packard Bell T9102 - SKCM Blue Alps at it's Finest] Posted 2016-12-03.</ref>
<ref name="CanonAK202">Imgur — [https://imgur.com/a/3pSYy9N Canon AK202-WAK (Alps SKCM Blue)] Uploaded 2022-04-25.</ref>
<ref name="CanonC202">Imgur — [https://imgur.com/a/jTVvfOO Canon C202-AKB (Alps SKCM Blue)] Uploaded 2022-04-25.</ref>
<ref name="Multitech">Imgur — [https://imgur.com/a/6FMUvMp Multitech KB097 (Alps SKCM Blue)] Uploaded 2022-06-22.</ref>
<ref name="Deltagold1">Imgur — [https://imgur.com/a/WuCoaGH Deltagold DGK-200 Blue Alps] Uploaded 2022-07-02.</ref>
<ref name="elonex">Deskthority — [https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?p=482677 Got lucky - Alps SKCM Blues] Posted 2021-04-03.</ref>
</references>

[[Category:Alps SKCL/SKCM series]]
[[Category:Keyboard switches with Alps mount]]
[[Category:Metal contact switches]]
[[Category:Clicky switches]]
[[Category:List of all keyboard switches]]