Interesting mechanical keyboards

[nubbinator]

They don't appear to be the Hall Effect RAFI switches, but look to be a variant of the RAFI RS 74M.  If you're willing to grab one with a missing key or two, some are pretty cheap.  They may make for a fun project for someone.  I'm debating on putting in a lowball offer to see if I can get one to review and play with.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ABB-Automation-DSiH-70F-Control-Keyboard-Interface-Board-/111289641116?pt=BI_Control_Systems_PLCs&hash=item19e961289c

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ABB-Automation-DSiH-70F-3-3H-Control-Keyboard-Interface-Board-/301109265851?pt=BI_Control_Systems_PLCs&hash=item461b82c5bb

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ABB-Automation-DSiH-70F-Control-Keyboard-Interface-Board-broken-plastic-/301109265855?pt=BI_Control_Systems_PLCs&hash=item461b82c5bf

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ABB-Automation-DSiH-70F-Control-Keyboard-Interface-Board-missing-keys-/111289641114?pt=BI_Control_Systems_PLCs&hash=item19e961289a

[nubbinator]

Thanks dorkvader.

[Findecanor]

Could be ICL switches.  ABB is a part Swedish company, like Ericsson whose '80s keyboards also had ICL switches.

[nubbinator]

I'm still guessing RAFI, they don't look like ICL.

[jacobolus]

There was a discussion about this on IRC a month ago or something (sadly I don’t have a log though). I’m pretty sure they’re these things: http://deskthority.net/wiki/RAFI_RS_76M

Here are pictures of a keyboard w/ RAFI (RS 76M) mechanical switches from HaaTa: https://plus.google.com/photos/113845661925823397356/albums/5771934747560095297




Notice these have very similar keycaps / keycap legends, whereas the RAFI RS 74M pictured on Deskthority has much shorter keycaps.

Here’s a picture from this ebay auction, re-hosted:

[dorkvader]

Nubbinator is right: switches are a dead ringer for RAFI mechanical (non hall effect)
https://plus.google.com/photos/113845661925823397356/albums/5674012177064606689



if these were HE, I'd have got one already: seller has re-listed them for several months. I want to know what is inside that requires such an impressive IEC inlet with fuse, metal case and convection cooling grille.

[berserkfan]

Nubbinator is right: switches are a dead ringer for RAFI mechanical (non hall effect)
https://plus.google.com/photos/113845661925823397356/albums/5674012177064606689

Show Image

if these were HE, I'd have got one already: seller has re-listed them for several months. I want to know what is inside that requires such an impressive IEC inlet with fuse, metal case and convection cooling grille.

Maybe keyboard just generates way too much heat  :p

[ZeDestructor]

Looks like there's an ebmbedded computer in there... two-piece mainframe terminal (screen + kb, optional mouse/trackball) perhaps?

[dorkvader]

Looks like there's an ebmbedded computer in there... two-piece mainframe terminal (screen + kb, optional mouse/trackball) perhaps?

I thought about that, but there's IO ports that are labelled (for example) "to computer". Clearly there's some sort of highpowered logic, but what it is, I cannot say.

[berserkfan]

Looks like there's an ebmbedded computer in there... two-piece mainframe terminal (screen + kb, optional mouse/trackball) perhaps?

I thought about that, but there's IO ports that are labelled (for example) "to computer". Clearly there's some sort of highpowered logic, but what it is, I cannot say.

it might be a Rube Goldberg-inspired chip generating all that heat. Maybe somebody designed the chip with Escher pathways.

[ZeDestructor]

Looks like there's an ebmbedded computer in there... two-piece mainframe terminal (screen + kb, optional mouse/trackball) perhaps?

I thought about that, but there's IO ports that are labelled (for example) "to computer". Clearly there's some sort of highpowered logic, but what it is, I cannot say.

it might be a Rube Goldberg-inspired chip generating all that heat. Maybe somebody designed the chip with Escher pathways.

I'm sticking to an internal embedded computer of some sort being the most likely option. I mean, you can fairly easily fit some of the smaller ARM dev boards into an F122, and these boards are even bigger and they had free reign on the design. The I/O ports, especially the monitor output would support that theory.

I'm surprised nobody has one tbh....

[nubbinator]

I put in a cheap offer on the cheapest one. Hopefully they take it so I can.do a review on the switch.  I'm also debating a Mr. Interface style bag with less common switches like these.

[Michael]

nubbs is the new missalaire.

[nubbinator]

Only when I go.diving into ebay looking for Alps and beige and white Cherry doubleshots or dyesubs.

[dgreekstallion]

Those look pretty cool actually.

[nubbinator]

Wouldn't accept less than $36 on the $40 board.  What's the point of the "Make an Offer" button then?

[E TwentyNine]

Wouldn't accept less than $36 on the $40 board.  What's the point of the "Make an Offer" button then?

As that's exactly 10%, maybe he has some sort of internal guideline he's following, looks like a decent sized surplus seller.

Probably make more sense on the higher priced items.

[nubbinator]

Probably.  Given the condition of the board and how long he's had it, you'd think he'd go for less.  I was hoping to get it for $25-30 shipped since it would just be for a review and getting some odd switches together so I could try a Mr. Interface style switch bag with less common non-Cherry, non-Alps switches.