Emboss OEM Customized Membrane Switches
Product Description
Custom Membrane Switches keyboard
Traditional switches usually consist of plastic pieces and copper for conductivity. Membrane switches, on the other hand, feature circuits printed directly onto their base. They are mounted on the front of devices, where users can see them firstly when they operate the machine.
Membrane switch keypads are affordable, versatile, reliable, and effective. Membrane switch keyboards have lower conductivity than some other switches and are perfect for many different low-power applications.
We produce membrane switches for devices like: security keypads, cell phone touch screens, aircraft control panels, airport kiosks, personal gaming devices, tablets, home appliances, medical device and more.
Provide us with your specifications then we will help you creating a suitable design solution for your application.
OEM Membrane Switches
We make membrane switch bases from polymer thick film (PTF).
Membrane switches feature:
A membrane layer, which contains the printed circuit, a shorting pad or at least one switch pole
A static layer, which is a supportive layer that contains a shorting pad or at least one switch pole
We often manufacture membrane switches that feature two or more metal insulating layers, with layers such as:
A graphic layer, on which we screen print decoration or graphics like numbers and letters
A tactile layer, which creates a tactile effect (i.e. the sense of pushing a button)
A rigid metal layer, which supports a flexible static layer as a backing
Membrane Switch Keypads Design Options
Embedded surface mount LEDs (for indicator lighting)
Backlighting with Light Guide Films and LEDs
Metal dome or Polydome for tactile feedback
Via holes (thru-holes) to simplify construction
ESD/EMI shielding
Water-sealing
Flex tail connectors (including female, male, and solder tabs)
Adhesives
Capacitive sensing technology
Our variety of adhesive choices includes options such as acrylic or foam adhesives ( indoor or outdoor applications)
Membrane Switch Construction Layers Description
Membrane switch technology has evolved into an effective and familiar interface solution used in a broad range of consumer products. Because of its diversity in the application, each membrane switch is uniquely designed to accommodate its intended purpose. The success of a product begins with effective communication between the design engineers, the customer and the factory. This design guide is intended as an outline for customers to communicate their requirements to our design engineers team.
Why use membrane switch?
Thin, Flexible design that can be laminated to slightly curved surfaces
Eliminates the need for a separate cable wire; the flex tail cable is integrated.
Long life and low cost integration
Customization of design and shapes
Can be water-sealed / waterproof
Surface is easily cleaned
Other components can be integrated, such as LEDs and LGF (light guide film) for backlighting
Easily replaceable; upgrading your products becomes very simple and low cost
Short tooling leadtimes and inexpensive tool
Proven technology, and found in many products, such as appliances, gas stations, ATMs, and others
Versatility of Membrane Switch Panel
Membrane switches can be combined with many different products, and evolve into other creative parallel products. For example, a rubber keypad can replace the standard overlay but still have the standard membrane switch layers for the electrical layers and integrated flex tail. Or, LEDs can be added, to provide backlighting. There are many combinations that are possible, that this guideline only skims through the basic functions and options available. Thorough discussions regarding your product usage environment and product expectations, is recommended to provide perfect product satisfaction.
Some examples of versatility that can add product value:
Rubber keypad with membrane switch layers, where the rubber keypad can be molded as translucent color, to act as LED diffusers
Backlit membrane switches with either LEDs or LGF
Rigid membrane switches, where we can add a backer such as Stainless steel backer, Aluminum, PC, Acrylic, etc.
Water proof membrane switches
Capacitive touch membrane switches
Tactile and non-tactile membrane switches
Membrane Switch Keyboards design consideration:
Materials: Auto type PET, textured/gloss PC and PVC
With matte finish
Thickness: 0.5, 0.7, 0.8 and 1mm
LED windows: Clear or translucent with all colors
Embossed keys: Polydome and rim
Metal dome: Brand of Nicomatic, Innovan, nickel and gold-plated
Tail: Mylar and UV
Connector: Nicomatic, FCI, Molex and Zif
Adhesive: 3M467, 3M468, 3M9471, 3M7945 and 3M7959
Capacitive Membrane Switches
These are the types of switches that manufacturers use to make touch screens. Essentially, they are touch sensitive membrane switches; they activate when you lightly touch them, such as Transpaten ITO Touch Screen.
Capacitive membrane switches are reliable, durable, and attractive.