Push Button PC Industrial Control Membrane Switches

Push Buttons PC Industrial Control Membrane Switches tactile membrane keyboards

Custom Membrane Switches, Keypads and Touch Panels

Electrical switches that turn circuits on and off, membrane switches enable communication capabilities for many types of technology intrface, equipment and systems. These interface utilities can be simple tactile switches that control lighting, touch-screen panels, plastic keyboards or toggle switches.

Membrane switches opinions

Membrane switches, also known as membrane panels or keyboards, are electrical switches with a user interface to control equipment and machines. The top layer is typically the graphical interface, also known as a graphic overlay, which identifies the functions being controlled using icons or text.

Below the graphic overlay are adhesive layers and a spacer layer to bond the circuit to the graphic overlay. The circuit layer is where the magic happens. Conductive inks are applied through a silk screen-printing process. In some cases, the membrane switch requires additional insulating layers made of non-conductive materials to prevent short-circuits. To complete the switch, an additional adhesive layer is used on the rear of the circuit to bond it to the bezel or substrate.

What Kind of Membrane Switch Are You Looking For? W'd like to help you.

Kaike Company is your reliable source for a variety of membrane switches and keypads:

• Membrane keypads

• Touch-screen panels

• Custom keypads

• Membrane switch panels

• Instrumentation panels

• Rubber dome switches

• Custom front control panels

• Custom membrane switches

• Dome switch keyboards

• Industrial keypads

• Membrane switch keyboards

• Custom membrane keypads

Membrane Switch and Keyboard Features:

We manufacture switches, keypads and panels with a wide range of available features:

• Tactile metal domes

• Tactile polyester domes

• Non-tactile switches

• Rim, pillow and dome embossing

• EMI/RFI and ESD shielding

• Integrated LEDs

• Environmentally sealed for demanding use

• Full-color graphic membrane overlays to enhance appearance

• Popular LED and LCD window options

• Female housing connectors (.10” pitch)

• ZIF connectors tail (1mm & 0.5mm pitch)

When design membran switch, pls consider:

• Types of Membrane Switches: non-tactile, tactile and PCB-backed

• Graphic Overlay Choices: color matching, embossing, display windows, selective texturing, material selection and interchangeable legends

• Circuit Design: configuration, ESD/EMI/RFI shielding, connector tail, venting, integrated LEDs and backlighting

• How many actuations are required?

• Lifetime of switch?

• Where will the switch be used? i.e. dusty environment

• How will the switch be used? i.e. Operator with or without gloves

Kaike Membrane Switch standard technology

Membrane Switches and Interface Displays most often require versatile custom designs, low profile and simple installation. Our custom Membrane Switches are the technology of choice for a wide variety of industrial commercial and consumer products. This includes portable electronics, diagnostic equipment and medical equipment.

We also integrate a wide variety of backlit technologies utilizing both flex and hardboard circuits. Combined with our graphic overlay and assembly capabilities. In all, Kaike provides a full turnkey Membrane Switch solution.

To improve the user experience, membrane switches typically provide haptic or visual feedback. A great example of haptic feedback is through the use of tactile metal domes or poly-dome construction. When this type of feedback is used, a user will press a key or button and feel a ‘snap’ action as the dome is compressed. This type of key might also provide some audible feedback from the ‘snap’ of the dome. As for visual feedback, the membrane switch can have embedded LED indicators or feedback can be visually displayed on a separate display or monitor. Typically the membrane switch circuit only has resistors and LEDs mounted to it, as opposed to a circuit board which has limitless options.

Membrane switches have replaced mechanical switches since they tend to be low-cost, user friendly and durable in multiple environments.

Tactile membrane keyboards applications:

1. Medical Equipment
2. Telecommunications apparatus
3. Telephone systems
4. Household appliances
5. Security systems
6. Point of sale apparatus
7. Industrial controls
8. Access control systems

Membrane keyboard Switch technologies that include:
Tactile & Non-tactile, Metal Dome & Polydome
Polymer-thick Film, Polyimide, or FR4 substrates
LED, EL, and Fiber backlighting
AMP, Nicomatic, FCI connector systems
Harsh & Rugged Environmental solutions

When we quote a membrane switch the following information is needed:

• Dimensions

• Number of opaque and/or transparent colors

• Desired top layer material (or ask us for assistance)

• Adhesive requirements (top and bottom layers)

• Embossing (raised keys or features)

• Type and number of keys (tactile, domes or flat type)

• Desired number of LEDs and colors

• Backlighting requirements - LEDs or light guide film

• Connector type

• Quantities

To start your membrane switch keyboard with us!

You can rely on us to design and manufacture new membrane switches as well as replications of existing switches. We will partner with you and share our expertise to determine the type of circuitry and features that enable your product to function at its highest level and with an optimal experience for the end user. Of course, your membrane switches will be manufactured with high quality materials to meet your exacting specifications.