Know more about the membrane switch before you buy

Know more about the Membrane Switch before you buy A membrane switch is a multilayered switch, which has multiple component uses in industrial controls, office equipments, home appliances, and in automobile control accessories. This switch is activated by touch of fingers and used in connecting and disconnecting a device. Basic difference between a traditional switch and membrane switch is that normal switch has copper or plastic parts whereas membrane switch is a printed circuit board which is filled with graphite, copper and silver ink, making it sensitive to human touch.

Design story Normally in membrane switches four to seven layers are used, top layer being a graphic overlay interface and works between a user and device, besides graphic overlay layer is the presentation face of the unit. In nutshell, membrane switches work as a bridge between users and machine operation. Next layer is a printed circuit board and copper flex board, the layers are bound with special adhesive to stick them together. There are two types of switches which are used with membrane switches 1. Non Tactile switches are less expensive but have longer working life.

2. Tactile switches have a snap action, lesser life and more expensive.

Lighting is also required to illuminate the switch operation, one option is LED, and other is optical fiber wound to illuminate a constant back light which is mostly preferred, though a bit expensive and third is EL lamps which is a cheaper option which lasts less time than optical fiber.

Application of membrane switches- these switches are used in practically all modern gadgets, manufacturing machines, lighting, control rooms, computers, smart mobile phones, key boards, home gadgets etc. One can easily see in home gadgets and feel its immense value, like Micro oven, air conditioner panel and remote controls etc.

Which field of buyer’s use membrane switches?

Although literally most industries are the potential membrane switch buyer, as these are used in most of the machines and gadgets which uses touch switching plates.

Few industries are regular membrane switch buyers which are named below.  Aerospace  Automobile industry  Aircrafts  Defense installations  Power industry  Consumers

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Gaming Computers Automation Medical industry Consumer electronics

Customize There are other design components which can be added to your customized requirement of membrane switch for your gadgets, which one has to keep in mind before placing the order.  Embossing  Tactile response as required  Backlighting LED, Fiber optic or EL lighting  Panel interconnection  UV Hard coat finish of the housing  Circuit encoding  Rubber Keypads.  Filter windows Cheaper alternative is Silver Flex membrane switch uses a graphic overlay, comes with many options like  Pillow or rim embossing  Screen or digital printing or both  Display window transparent or tinted  Selective texture For PCB printed circuit board though costly is sturdy and can store intricate circuitry.

ManufacturersChina is the biggest manufacturer of membrane switches, when one looks in, can find many manufacturers offering their products, in addition many by other countries too. Comparison is mandatory.

Online order and risk factor Never trust fake reviews and get influenced  Hidden cost like shipping etc are not disclosed by some  Check sample before giving bulk order.  Ensure guarantee clause.