How to select the appropriate Membrane keyboard design parts for better efficiency? Membrane Keypads/switches/Keyboards should always be well suited for facing hostile operating environments and conditions to maintain the durability. Along with high quality materials, state of the art production techniques and a professional design are needed to make the membrane keyboard parts robust and resilient. Various low cost prototypes coupled with cost effective full production charges are available from a number of global membrane switches and related products manufacturers. To choose the right company, a buyer needs to authenticate the consistency of the reliable products; materials used in it and seek the most competitive quote on feasible switches. Distinct features provided for Membrane Keypads or keyboards are: 1. Polyester, Polycarbonate finish types 2. ATEX approved and IP65, IP68 rated keypads (depending on Engineering approval) 3. Extreme or harsh chemical or environmental conditions suitable material choice 4. Tactile or non-tactile response keys 5. RFI/ESD/EMC shielding 6. Chemical resistant materials for durability enhancement in chemical exposure site 7. Anti-microbial as well as UV resistant material 8. LED integration option with backlighting 9. Flexible circuits and PCB technology option integration 10. Rim, Braille, etc styled embossing 11. Steel/Aluminum panels mounting available, etc Electrical properties that buyers must confirm prior to ordering the full volume production include contact bounce time, closed switch loop resistance, operating voltage, current & power, Crossover and without crossover insulation resistance, etc. These properties vary as per the diverse prototypes for Metal Dome Tactile design, Polydome and Non Tactile design. In addition, it is important for the buyer to pre-evaluate the necessary environmental properties like operating and storage temperature, UV resistance and texture protection for the prototypes. Distinct membrane keypad design drawings for prototypes can be viewed through the online portals and website maintained by the companies (manufacturers and suppliers). Membrane keyboard parts like graphic overlay, circuit layer, connector, Top and bottom circuit, etc differ to make the distinct polydome, Non tactile and metal dome prototype designs. The metal dome is a highly sought after design due to its high durability and superior tactile feedback. However, Polydome clears the interference from the metal dome style and gives it improved lifecycle with a far lesser cost and better tactile feedback. Other famous prototypes include simplified polydome which is another low cost solution and offers a simpler polydome option by elimination one of the circuit layers.
The Non-tactile feedback prototype provides a touch to act solution in which production cost is remarkably lowered while lifecycle is enhanced. Non tactile feedback design enable better and easy operation while Simplified non tactile prototypes work by ridding the design of one circuit layer while the rest of the design remains as that of any Non-Tactile prototype one. For enhanced functioning of the keyboards, many manufacturers provide options of silver, insulation inks along with materials with stronger resistance against dust, water and other environmental degrading factors. Oxidation protection can also be sought in addition to above listed protective options and distinct flexible polymer sheets (polyester). With improved design and lifestyle, these flexible circuits function lighter and better than printed circuit board. This article is written by C khuzwayo on behalf of Elecflex.com, this is having topics on Membrane Switch, Membrane Keypad, Membrane keyboard, Graphic Overlay, Membrane keypad Manufacturer and many more.