Your Guide to Membrane Switch Is Here!

Your Guide to Membrane Switch Is Here!

Membrane switches today are the most sought-after alternative to traditional mechanical switches. The availability of tactile feedback, a variety of aesthetic, and other design options have made membrane switch panels a popular option for modern electronics.

Integrated with ever-progressing technology, increasing customer demands that need to be balanced with regulatory requirements and safety, and the task of creating a functional UI that significantly differentiates products in today’s competitive markets and provides usability, membrane switch design is both fascinating and complex.

PCB-based Membrane Switch

What is a Membrane Switch?

A membrane switch is a momentary electrical contact on or off switch that either activates or deactivates an electric circuit. They are sometimes also called as SPSTNO (Single Pole, Single Throw, Normally Open) switches. Custom membrane switches are manufactured by screen printing the circuit directly onto a plastic substrate with carbon or silver conductive ink. The economical, durable, simple, and versatile design of a custom membrane switch makes it a superior alternative to the mechanical switch.

Membrane Switches Applications

ElecFlex Technologies Inc. 405A, No.264 Baixia Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

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Membrane switches are used in a wide variety of consumer and industrial applications such as:     

Military equipment to handle rogue treatments Retail or consumer applications like gasoline pumps, exercise equipment, kiosks, gasoline pumps, and vending machines Household appliances like stoves and microwave ovens Diagnostic equipment and medical testing Industrial equipment manufacturing with a control panel

A Focus on Graphics

Membrane Switch Components Membrane switch consists of the following layers:      

Polyester printed circuit layer Spacer and/or dome retainer Rear adhesive with liner ESD shielding layer Polyester/polycarbonate layer with/without embossed keys Graphic overlay with subsurface printed text/graphics

Membrane Switch Features Optional features of membrane switch include:

ElecFlex Technologies Inc. 405A, No.264 Baixia Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

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          

Multiple connector styles Embossing Embedded LEDs and resistors Sealed to refrain any dust or moisture Window lens coating Surface texture materials Custom Shapes Backlighting Custom printing, logos, and graphics ESD/EMI/RFI shielding options Multiple tactile dome options

Standard Membrane Switch

Membrane Switch Materials Polyester and polycarbonate are one of the most commonly used materials in designing a custom membrane switch, with the graphic c overlay surface being one of the main considerations.

Polycarbonate is easier to print and fabricate and clearer but becomes less durable upon constant use. Polyester is more durable and has better resistance to environmental conditions and is quite challenging in its manufacturing. Polycarbonate is a bit less expensive than polyester, but this difference is however minimal and is not generally a major consideration.

The membrane design and engineering team at ElecFlex will guide you to help you choose the best membrane switch panel based on your requirement and the condition in which the switch

ElecFlex Technologies Inc. 405A, No.264 Baixia Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

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will be used. Hard coated materials are available to provide added scratch-resistance, chemical resistance, and durability and to reduce gloss or glare.

When you collaborate with ElecFlex’s membrane switch design and engineering team, we will work with you and strive to determine the appropriate options and specifications for your product’s membrane switch.

ElecFlex Technologies Inc. 405A, No.264 Baixia Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

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