Editing Switch mount (section)

==Methods==
===Plate mount===

In a plate-mount keyboard, the switches are secured into a plate. Retention clips on each switch hold the switches in place. In most examples, the plate is made from sheet steel, but there are exceptions. Most [[BBC Microcomputer]] keyboards used aluminium plates, with the exception of the "Type 2" SMK keyboards, which had steel plates. Some keyboards used plastic plates, including the [[NTC KB-6251]] series and the Strong Man [[SMK-8112JU]].

Japanese websites are more likely to refer to steel plates as "iron" plates.

The steel plate is generally painted to protect against rust; the most common paint colour used is black, but white is also used in keyboards such as the [[Dell AT101]] series and [[Matias Tactile Pro]] family. [[Rosewill RK-9000]] is a commercial keyboard with a red plate; red is more commonly used in enthusiast keyboards.

<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:Plate-mount Alps keyboard.jpg|Steel plate-mounted [[Simplified Alps Type IV switch|Alps clone]] switches
File:BBC Micro Type 1.jpg|Aluminium plate-mount keyboard
File:PhantomPlateWithBrown.jpg|Bare [[Phantom]] plate with [[Cherry MX]] switches mounted
File:Smk-8112ju switch.jpg|Plastic plate with [[Fuhua Alps]] switches
File:NTC KB-6251EA -- plastic mounting plate.jpg|Plastic plate
</gallery>

===PCB mount===
PCB mount switches are secured solely by the solder joints between the terminals and the PCB. PCB mount switches typically have one or more fixing pins (small pegs protruding from the bottom of the switch) to help align the switch (since the terminals are often soft and easy to bend) and possibly also prevent rotation of the switch in use. The return spring shaft may also protrude below the base of the switch, and this also helps to locate the switch in the PCB.

Some switch types (e.g. the PCB mount variants of the [[Cherry MX]] family, and [[SMK inverse cross mount]]) have both fixing pins and plate clips and can be used either with or without a mounting plate.

<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:MagitronicK156PCBleftangled.jpg|PCB-mounted [[Cherry MX Blue]] switches
File:MagitronicK156PCBleft.jpg|Viewed from the top
</gallery>

===Fixing screw===
A small number of switch types, such as [[Datanetics DC-50 series]], are secured to the PCB by a screw.

===Case mount===
[[Acer switch]]es are a hybrid design which combine discrete switches with a [[Switch terminology|membrane]] layer. In some Acer keyboards, the discrete switches are mounted directly into the upper shell of the keyboard itself; other Acer keyboards use a plastic mounting plate.

<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:Acer switches from below.jpg|[[Acer switch]]es as seen from below
</gallery>

===Integrated mount===
The switches are not discrete, and are typically formed from a single moulding, either as a discrete plate, or out of the case itself. [[Rubber dome over membrane]] keyboards are typically integrated mount.