Colorful Transparent Window Membrane Keyboard

Custom Membrane switches keyboards 

A membrane switch is an electrical switch assembly that uses contact or pressure to open or close a circuit. The main function of a membrane switch is to allow a person to press a button on a graphic overlay and achieve a desired effect in a piece of electrical equipment or machinery.

Helping you custom membrane switch keypads

Kaike Electronics have vast experience assisting electronic OEMs in the design and production of a quality membrane keypad. Membrane keyboard and membrane switch projects often need a little guidance from concept design through into production. Here are some helpful points to consider to better streamline your design for production. You will need to consider many alternatives that will affect what is ideal for your interface’s functionality. Our skilled in-house engineers can share their knowledge to assist your design team in manufacturing. Whether you need a sealed HMI to protect from contaminants or a fantastic backlit effect for low-light, we have a solution.

Design areas to consider:

• Eye-Catching Graphics

• Reliability & Customisation

• Easy Cleaning

• Sealability

• Illumination/Backlighting

• Tactile Feedback and Embossing

• Selective Resin Doming

• Shielding

• Antimicrobial protection

Adding Eye-Catching Graphics to Membrane Keypad / Membrane Switch.

Kaike Technology provide many types of graphic overlays as a part of our complete print service. These overlays are custom made, and either provided as a standalone product or as part of the constructed top layer of a membrane switch. Graphic overlays provide the direct interface between the product and the end-user. So they must be robust and indicate clearly the switch locations and functionality. With our innovative digital and screen printing solutions, Kaike Technology will expertly represent your brand solution.

Electronic

● Circuit Rating: 35V(DC)，100mA，1W

● Resistance: 10Ω-500Ω

● Insulation Resistance: 100MΩ100V

● Dielectric Strength: 250VRms (50-60Hz 1min)

● Contact Bounce: ≤5ms

● Life Expectancy: Flat: ≥5 Million Times Tactile: ≥1 Million Times

Mechanical

● Operation Pressure: Flat 57-284g (2-10oz), Tactile 170-397g (6-14oz)

● Switch Stroke: Flat 0.1-0.5mm, Tactile 0.6-1.5mm

Environment

● Operation Temperature: -40℃-+80℃

● Storage Temperature: -40℃-＋80℃

Membrane Switch Assembly

• Flat /Embossed with metal dome tactile membrane switch

   ● Circuit assemble with various components: LED, Resistor, Capacitor, Metal dome, IC  and so on.

   ● The window and surface of product finished: Gloss or Matted.

   ● ESD, EMI and transparent window shielding.

   ● Crimping a Male or Female pin (0.5mm / 1.0mm /2.54mm Pitch).

   ● Backlight: LED, LGF, EL, TPE.

   ● Being good at designing: Silicone Rubber+PET circuit, Silicone Rubber+PCB+Aluminum plate.

   ● FPC Membrane Switch: Graphic Overlay+FPC circuit, Silicone Rubber+FPC circuit.

   ● Capacitive Membrane Switch: Capacitive Membrane Switch+Backlight, Capacitive  Membrane Switch+Controller.

Components of a membrane switch

The switches are composed of several different layers of materials that can be customized to fit your specific design and operating characteristics. However, no matter the design or function, there are a few primary components that can be found in all membrane switches:

• Graphical overlay

This is the top layer of the membrane switch in which you will find digitally or screen-printed keys, buttons or other indicators. This is the layer that shows the operator what they are pressing — think buttons on a microwave or an air conditioner panel.

• Spacers

Spacers are usually placed between circuits and the overlay to make sure the circuit is not activated without intent. In other words, they ensure the button only registers when it is intentionally pressed.

• Circuit

The circuit is what makes a membrane switch operational and controls the electronic device. These are operated via conductive or dielectric inks to alert the system when a button is being pressed.

• Adhesives

Adhesives are used in membrane switches to both attach the entire assembly to the end product, and to attach the graphical overlay layer to the circuit layer. The adhesive is crucial to ensure the membrane switch stays attached to the product, and performs as intended throughout its lifetime.

Membrane switches in industry application

Membrane switches are common, necessary technology and can be found just about anywhere. Most all of us have come upon, used or seen membrane switches in our everyday lives, whether or not we know what these vital components are. Here are some industries that typically use membrane switches to make their products safer and more user friendly, and the explanation about how they’re used.

• Medical

Membrane switches are used throughout the medical industry on products such as blood pressure monitors, dialysis machines, communication devices, scan and testing equipment, glucose meters and much more. Membrane switches are lifesaving guides to product operation.

• Home appliance

From microwaves to air conditioner panels, membrane switches can be found throughout the home. Other examples include panels on ovens, dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines and dryers.

• Retail

Whether it be card readers or general cashier setups, membrane switches can be found in nearly every point-of-sale system on the market.

• Industrial Equipment

Membrane switches have a vast usage in the industrial sector. From equipment such as commercial floor scrubbers and other cleaning machines, to industrial test, measurement and diagnostic equipment such as electronic test equipment, membrane switches are prevalent in a number of different industrial areas.

• Exercise Equipment

Nearly every piece of cardio equipment inside of a gym operates with a membrane switch. Stationary bikes, stair steppers and treadmills are some of the most common devices, and some newer weightlifting designs and prototypes are starting to utilize electronic interfaces and membrane switches.

Advantages of membrane switches keypads

Membrane switches provide a host of benefits to nearly every industry, and can be customized to fit a number of needs. These include:

• Membrane switches have an extremely long lifespan.

• Membrane switches significantly reduce tooling costs and assembly time.

• The integral multi-layered design seals your device from harsh environments, moisture, airborne substances like pollen, dirt/soil and other factors that could interfere with the membrane switch function.

• Due to the flat nature of the design, membrane switches allow for quick and easy cleaning and sanitization.

• Any graphic overlay or decorative applique can be integrated onto the membrane switch, allowing for plenty of customization opportunities.

• Various features can be added to the switch including anti-microbial materials, tactile and non-tactile button options, as well as the inclusion of audio, embossing, backlighting, back panels and ESD/EMI shielding.

Kaike is an expert in printed electronic, in-mold structural electronics, in-mold decorating, graphic overlays, labels, nameplates, insulators/gaskets and touch screens.