SILICONE RUBBER KEYBOARD APPLICATIONS Imagine what silicones could enable us to do. Industrial Products In the last few years the number of applications for silicone keypads, membrane switches and custom plastic parts in relatively low volume industrial products has increased significantly. Alongside the lower cost of development and tooling charges, the primary reason for the increases in applications is the creative designs that can be produced. Industrial designers have long since realized the design benefits of working with rubber to create a well designed user interface. In addition the range of tactile responses that can now be engineered into a design help to ensure that a product feels good for a user thus helping the marketing effort of a product.
Mobile Phone Mobile phone applications have the dominant volume market place for rubber keypad over the recent years. This has lead to significant technical enhancements to provide the visual effects customers required. These design features include Laser etched keys for better backlighting effects, plastic key tops for more resilient keys and metallic surface finishes. Information on these techniques can be found under design features in this silicone rubber design guide.