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Cam switches: Difference between revisions
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A benefit of this design is low parasitics compared to traditional rotary wafer switches. | A benefit of this design is low parasitics compared to traditional rotary wafer switches. | ||
The original idea for the]is switch type is credited to [[Howard Vollum]] - see [[Patent US 3562464A|Patent 3,562,464 ''Cam actuated switch having movable and fixed contacts on circuit board'']] (Vollum, Verhoff, Sprando). | The original idea for the]is switch type is credited to [[Howard Vollum]] - see [[Patent US 3562464A|Patent 3,562,464 ''Cam actuated switch having movable and fixed contacts on circuit board'']] (Vollum, Verhoff, Sprando). | ||
From [https://vintagetek.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/On-The-History-And-Environment-Of-Tektronix.pdf The History and Environment of Tektronix]: | |||
<blockquote> | |||
So, one day, Howard said, "the plug-ins will be 5¼ inches in height." | |||
[[Oliver Dalton]] recalls the decision to reduce the plug-in height as a traumatic one: | |||
"The decision set us back at least one year for the height decision required three major electro-mechanical component efforts in addition to the [[7000 series readout system|IC read-out effort]]: 1) [[back-lit switches|new lit push-buttons]] ... we needed 25 on a panel; 2) cam switches - these were Howard's ideas ... we needed them to be small and reasonably cheap; 3) [[miniature relays|relays]] ... we needed them to be small and reliable. We then largely had to make do with other available parts, like potentiometers. | |||
</blockquote> | |||
[[Ken Holland]] was involved with the development of cam switches at Tek. | [[Ken Holland]] was involved with the development of cam switches at Tek. | ||