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Alps SKCR Series

Alps SKCR is a mechanical switch series yet to be formally identified. The series name is known only from IBM part 07G1451, an IBM 5576-002 keyboard whose box bears the Alps model number KFCREA087A. The switches are not revealed, but only two switch types are known from 5576-001 and 5576-002: SKCP plate-mount “plate spring” switches, and the square-shell PCB-mount “plate spring” switches.

It seems reasonably likely that SKCR series represents the square PCB-mount equivalent of KCP/SKCP. However, this will not be confirmed until a 5576-001 or 5576-002 keyboard with its original box has its switch type revealed. Switches resembling the square PCB-mount type were shown in an article or advertisement “Low-Profile Keyboard Switches CP Series” from JEE (Journal of Electronic Engineering), somewhere within Volume 22, 1985. There is only a poor-quality (1 bpp) scan on Google Books and the remainder of the article cannot be accessed; were it possible to read it, there may be some clarification.

The IBM P70 and P75 keyboards used a different style of PCB-mount “plate spring” switches, and these could be SKCQ, SKCR or another series.