Futaba low-profile linear / GRI KBM-LP

User avatar
Daniel Beardsmore

07 Sep 2013, 02:11

Disassembly photos of my expensive bag of GRI KBM-LP switches, AKA Futaba simplified linear, used in the Acorn Electron, most BBC Master 128/Turbo/ET, and some Atari 800XLs:

[wiki]Futaba low-profile linear[/wiki]

The Elk gives an maximum introduction date of 1983. I got these from a UK distributor, so I still don't know if they're still made, and if so, by whom — Futaba, or GRI?

User avatar
Daniel

07 Sep 2013, 11:27

Nice pictures. I think it's interesting, that according to the pictures if the switch would be mounted on a plate, the biggest part of it would be beneath the plate. Wouldn't that reduce the available key travel distance?

User avatar
Daniel Beardsmore

07 Sep 2013, 14:54

I am not sure I follow you. But it did remind me to measure travel — it's something like 2.6 or 2.7 mm, instead of the 3.5 mm of the older switches. Strangely, I never noticed this short travel when using computers with them in. I've spent many hours coding on keyboards with these switches in.

Post Reply

Return to “Gallery”