Membrane Graphics Overlay

Membrane Graphic Overlays

The graphic overlay printing techniques and materials ensure long-lasting durability

A graphic overlay may be the first thing your customer or end user sees when interacting with your device. 

Graphic overlay panel must be durable, attractive, and functional.

Thanks to our graphic overlay printing expertise, Kaike Technology can manufacture your custom graphic overlay in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials to ensure the durability.

Overlay Materials: The most commonly used base materials are polyester and polycarbonate.
Rear Adhesive: 3M 467MP, 3M 468MP, etc.
Standard Tolerances: +/-0.2mm
Matching color: Pantone and RAL color matching system.
Custom touch screen overlay
Finished surface screen pringting
Scratch resistance
Customised design

Graphic Overlay Materials: Polycarbonate vs Polyester

We offers a variety of overlay materials with thickness ranging from 7 mil to 30 mil. Selecting the graphic overlay material depends on the end user application and the environment in which it will be used, including exposure to sunlight and chemicals. Cost is also a important consideration. Polycarbonate and polyester are the most commonly used materials for graphic overlays.

Polycarbonate (PC) Panel overlays – Also known as PETG or Lexan, polycarbonate overlays are easy to die cut, print, and texture. However, they may show signs of wear after 100,000 actuations. If the environment is subject to chemicals, a hard coat should be used for protection. Polycarbonate overlays are optically clear at any thickness and provide a crisper emboss. Polycarbonate is lower in cost than polyester. Most users prefer the appearance of polycarbonate overlays instead polyester.

Polyester (PET) graphic overlays – This material is thinner and more resilient. It shows no sign of wear after 1,000,000 actuations. It also has superior resistance to chemicals and harsh environments. Polyester is more expensive than polycarbonate, however, this material is perfect for industrial and military graphic overlays.

Materials overview 

The graphics layer of the membrane switch should be aesthetically pleasing, and it must endure use in its environment. Since environments vary greatly, the proper overlay materials must be chosen. We offer a variety of materials fully tested and categorized for diverse and demanding environments. 

Our experienced designers consider the following questions when specifying materials for your graphic overlay and the layers beneath:

Will the graphic overlay be exposed to sunlight?

Will it be exposed to household chemicals?

Will it be exposed to industrial chemicals?

Control panel overlays

Graphic overlays are a important part of any modern control component for human-machine interface. So called “operator interface panels,”a wide variety of industries use control panel overlays, such as:

• Manufacturing and industrial machinery

• Construction equipment

• Service equipment such as elevator controls

• HVAC and refrigeration equipment

• Transportation and marine

• Military

Clearly, every Graphic control panel overlay must be custom designed to allow an operator to accomplish a specific task. This means attention to detail and intuitive graphics Panel are critical factors to create a long-lasting graphic overlay that delivers a solid user-interface experience. At Kaike Electronics, our core competence is designing, engineering, and manufacturing custom graphic overlays to meet your unique interface needs for your facility and users.

Membrane switches panels are widely used in:
Medical Equipment
Telecommunications apparatus
Telephone systems
Household appliances
Security systems
Point of sale apparatus
Industrial controls
Access control systems...

Kaike Custom Graphic Overlay Options:

• Custom graphic overlay printing

• Textured surfaces

• Color matching

• Embossing – pillow embossing or ridge embossing

• Customized Adhesives 

• Chemical resistant surfaces
  

• Ultraviolet (UV) hardcoats

• Graphic overlay rapid prototypes