Editing Xiang Min KSB series

{{infobox dswitch
| image name        = Linear XM switch with LED.jpg|200px
| manufacturer      = [[Xiang Min]]
| product code      = KSB-C (clicky)<br>KSB-N (linear)<br>KSB-LE (linear with LED)
| contact mechanism = [[Contact mechanism#Metal leaf|Metal leaf]]
| switch mount      = [[Plate mount]]
| keycap mount      = [[Alps mount]]
| switch type       = Clicky; linear
| actuation force   = 60±15 cN
}}

'''KSB series''' is Xiang Min's [[four-tab clone]] switch series. KSB series switches are referred to as "XM" by [[Filco]] and [[Ducky]].

==Description==
The metal parts inside Xiang Min switches are very similar to those found inside current [[Hua-Jie AK series]] switches. Linear and clicky switches have the all-over (gold?) plated stationary contact of Hua-Jie AK-CN2 (2) switches, which are their reduced lifetime range. The clicky switches use a narrow phosphor bronze "mantis foot" click leaf. There are two designs of movable contact in use, with different crossbar designs. The crossbar is shaped such as to stay clear of the return spring when the slider is home, and it can be either straight and stepped, or curved.

The LED switches however use completely different internals, with the same stationary contact as [[alps.tw Type T1]] and an unusual variant of the T1 movable contact, with reduced separation between the two "fingers".

Xiang Min switches do not carry any identifying marks.

==Specifications==
According to the Xiang Min website, all current models are rated as follows<ref name="Xiang-Min" />:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Contact arrangement || SPST
|-
| Maximum rating || 10 mA 12 V DC
|-
| Contact resistance || 1 Ω maximum
|-
| Total travel || 3.5±0.5 mm 
|-
| Pretravel || 1.5±0.5 mm
|-
| Operating force || 60±15 cN
|-
| Lifetime || 5 M (KSB-C/N), 6 M (KSB-LE)
|}

==Variants==
KSB switches typically have ivory or green sliders. The clicky switches are noted for being significantly stiffer than Alps and Fuhua switches, with strong tactility.

===KSB-C===
Clicky, with an ivory slider. 65±15 cN according to the specification, and 60±15 cN according to the website.

[[Ducky]] use a customised clicky variant reduced to 55 cN in force, with a green slider.

===KSB-N===
Linear. 65±15 cN according to the specification, and 60±15 cN according to the website. Xiang Min's 2012 production run samples use a green slider, but the slider is black in Ducky keyboards.

===KSB-LE===
Linear with space for an LED in place of the click leaf. Green slider in the [[Matias Tactile Pro 3|Tactile Pro 3]], and translucent white slider in Xiang Min's 2012 production run. 60±15 cN according to the specification and website.

Unlike most Alps-style switches, KSB-LE switches cannot be opened up while soldered in place, because the LED sits on two steps in the LED recess. This is likely true of all Alps and Alps-style switches with LED cutouts.

===Mould numbering===
The following [[mould numbering]] styles have been identified for non-LED switches:

*N:A##
*N:##

The two styles appear to run in parallel.

=="XM"==
Filco displayed "XM" on the outside of the product box for the KSB-C [[Filco Zero]], and Ducky used "XM" in the product codes for the KSB-based variants of the [[Ducky DK1008]] (DK1008XM) and [[Ducky DK1087]] (DK1087XM). Filco's use of "XM" might have been the cause of all copper click leaf four-tab clones being referred to as "XM" switches (with four-tab clone split between "Simplified Alps Type II"/"XM" (copper leaf) and "Simplified Alps Type IV" (wide steel leaf). However, this is now known to be a mistake, as the keyboard most cited to use "XM" switches, the [[SIIG MiniTouch]], is confirmed to have used [[Hua-Jie AK series]] switches.

Any keyboard description citing "XM" switches should be queried, with the exception of the aforementioned Filco and Ducky products, and the [[Matias Tactile Pro]] range. Also to be ruled out are switches manufactured before Xiang Min introduced their range of keyboard switches in 1997. Xiang Min did not exist before 1994.

==Keyboards==
Few keyboards are confirmed to use KSB series switches. While many keyboards have been claimed to use "XM" switches, this is dubious, as previously explained. The following keyboards are known to use Xiang Min KSB-series switches.

* Early [[Filco Zero]] (white KSB-C, clicky)
* [[Matias Tactile Pro 3]] (up to late 2012; used for the LED keys; green KSB-LE, linear)
* [[Ducky DK1008]] and [[Ducky DK1087]], XM variants (green clicky KSB-C and black linear KSB-N; white KSB-LE used for LED keys in both keyboards)

==Gallery==
<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:Xiang Min KSB series.jpg                               | KSB series switches
File:XM with LED vs Fukka.jpg                               | Green KSB-LE alongside [[Alps SKBM White]]
File:Filco Zero KSB-C switches showing numbering.jpg        | KSB-C switches in a [[Filco Zero]] showing numbering
File:Filco Zero KSB-C switches showing contact assembly.jpg | KSB-C switches in a [[Filco Zero]] showing contact assembly
</gallery>

===KSB-C===
<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:Numbering -- Xiang Min vs Taiwan Tai-Hao.jpg                    | Numbering compared to [[Taiwan Tai-Hao APC series]]
File:Xiang Min KSB-C -- 2012 production samples.jpg                  | 2012 production samples
File:Xiang Min KSB-C -- base removed.jpg                             | Base removed
File:Xiang Min KSB-C -- base with springs removed.jpg                | Both springs removed
File:Xiang Min KSB-C -- upper shell with both contact plates.jpg     | Upper shell with both contact plates
File:Xiang Min KSB-C -- upper shell with rear contact plate only.jpg | Upper shell with just the rear contact plate
File:Xiang Min KSB-C -- base with both contact plates.jpg            | Base with both contact plates
File:Xiang Min KSB-C -- base with rear contact plate only.jpg        | Base with just the rear contact plate
File:Xiang Min KSB-C -- components, top.jpg                          | Switch components viewed from the top
File:Xiang Min KSB-C -- components, bottom.jpg                       | Switch components viewed from the bottom
</gallery>

KSB-N is very similar to the above, differing primarily in the slider colour and lack of click leaf. The upper shell does use different moulds, but the only significant difference is the smaller numbering; there is provision for a click leaf to be inserted. The base appears to be from the same set of moulds.

KSB-C and KSB-N always use north numbering, either N:A## or N:## in varying styles.

====Ducky specification====
Ducky ordered customised 55 gf KSB-C and KSB-N switches from Xiang Min. While the only change with Ducky-specification KSB-N switches appears to be the slider colour (the springs look identical), Ducky-specification KSB-C switches have a more tightly coiled spring to reduce the switch weight. The spring remains the same length.

<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:Xiang Min KSB-C Ducky spec -- assorted.jpg | Ducky-spec switches
File:Xiang Min KSB-C -- standard vs Ducky.jpg   | Standard (ivory, top/left) vs Ducky (green, bottom/right) KSB-C switches
</gallery>

===KSB-N===
<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:Xiang Min KSB-N -- 2012 production samples.jpg | 2012 production samples
File:Xiang Min KSB-N Ducky spec -- assorted.jpg     | Ducky-spec switches
File:Xiang Min KSB-N Ducky spec -- top.jpg          | Single Ducky-spec switch
</gallery>

===KSB-LE===
KSB-LE has a recess and leg holes for an LED.

<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:Xiang Min KSB-LE -- 2012 production samples.jpg                       | 2012 production samples
File:Xiang Min KSB-LE -- assorted.jpg                                      | Assorted
File:Xiang Min KSB-LE -- top view.jpg                                      | Top view, with no LED fitted
File:Xiang Min KSB-LE -- base removed.jpg                                  | Base and return spring removed
File:Xiang Min KSB-LE -- upper shell with both contact plates.jpg          | Upper shell with both contact plates
File:Xiang Min KSB-LE -- upper shell with rear contact plate.jpg           | Upper shell with just the rear contact plate
File:Xiang Min KSB-LE -- base with both contact plates.jpg                 | Base with both contact plates
File:Xiang Min KSB-LE -- base with rear contact plate.jpg                  | Base with just the rear contact plate
File:Xiang Min KSB-LE -- base, from below and above, showing LED holes.jpg | LED leg holes in the base
File:Xiang Min KSB-LE -- LED in place.jpg                                  | LED in place; the switch only accepts flat LEDs, the LED depicted is unsuitable and the switch cannot be reassembled
File:Xiang Min KSB-LE -- components, top.jpg                               | Switch components viewed from the top
File:Xiang Min KSB-LE -- components, bottom.jpg                            | Switch components viewed from the bottom
</gallery>

===KSB-C vs KSB-LE===
The following illustrations show KSB-C/N contact plates on the left, and KSB-LE contact plates on the right:

<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:Xiang Min KSB series -- front contact plate comparison, front.jpg | Front plates, front view
File:Xiang Min KSB series -- front contact plate comparison, rear.jpg  | Front plates, rear view
File:Xiang Min KSB series -- rear contact plate comparison, front.jpg  | Rear plates, front view
File:Xiang Min KSB series -- rear contact plate comparison, rear.jpg   | Rear plates, rear view
</gallery>

===Crossbar design===
The design of the movable contact crossbar varies between batches and seemingly within batches. Note that both variants of the movable contact have a small cutout at the top of the stamping, which is absent in Hua-Jie contacts, proving that they are in fact not the same metal parts as those in Xiang Min switches. The stationary contacts look identical, but they are also very subtly different.

{| class="wikitable"
! Switch !! Source                                 !! Crossbar design
|-
| KSB-C  || Filco Zero FKB108ZJB (2009 or earlier) || 1 × curved
|-
| KSB-C  || 2012 production sample                 || 2 × curved
|-
| KSB-N  || 2012 production sample                 || 2 × straight
|-
| KSBF   || 2012 production sample                 || 2 × straight
|-
| KSB-C  || 2013 Ducky spec                        || 5 × straight
|-
| KSB-N  || 2013 Ducky spec                        || 2 × curved, 3 × straight
|}

<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:Xiang Min KSB series -- movable contact designs.jpg | Curved (left) and straight (right) crossbars
File:Xiang Min KSB-N -- crossbar sample.jpg              | The five switches from the 2013 pack of Ducky-spec KSB-N switches
</gallery>

==References==
<references>
<ref name="Xiang-Min">Xiang Min — [http://xiangmin.myweb.hinet.net/keyboard.htm Keyboard Switch] Retrieved 2015-08-03.</ref>
</references>

[[Category:Xiang Min switches]]
[[Category:Clones of Alps SKCL/SKCM switches]]
[[Category:Keyboard switches with Alps mount]]
[[Category:Metal contact switches]]
[[Category:Clicky switches]]
[[Category:Linear switches]]
[[Category:Production switches]]
[[Category:List of all keyboard switches]]