ALPS Electric Co., Ltd. has developed the SKRW series of thin TACT switches with the smallest mounting surface in the industry* (3.7mm x 3.7mm) for a TACT switch, with height of 0.35mm. Sample shipments are to begin in early August 2004. The SKRW series will be on display at the ALPS SHOW 2004, which will be held in the Hiten Room of the New Takanawa Prince Hotel for three days from May 26, 2004.
Portable consumer electronics devices, such as mobile phones, PDAs, digital cameras and game €players, are becoming easier to carry due to slimmer, more compact bodies, and offer more advanced high-value-added features. To offer a variety of features, it is necessary to incorporate various control components in a limited space on substrates without enlarging the dimensions of set products, and it is also necessary to reduce the height of each component. These market needs are hastening the development of compact and thin components compatible with high-density mounting.
ALPS developed the SKRW series while emphasizing compactness, a thin profile and compatibility with high-density mounting. The SKRW series has the smallest mounting surface in the industry for TACT switches with a height of 0.35mm.
Thanks to ALPS' accumulated proprietary molding technology and a more compact switch contact point construction, the SKRW series is more compact and thinner, with an approximate 34% reduction in mounting surface and a 13% reduction in height, than the SKRM series (4.5mm (W) x 4.5mm (D) x 0.4mm (H)), while maintaining the same internal structure and number of component contacts. Although the mounting surface is the smallest in the industry, the push range area of the switch is the same size as the SKRM series to make mounting easier in various portable consumer electronics devices. At the same time, the SKRW series is by no means inferior to the SKRM series in replicating the sharp "click" feel of operation, thanks to ALPS' accumulated contact point processing technology.
