Elecflex specializes in standard membrane switch and related products with unique graphic, functional, or performance requirements. If you need help with your next membrane switch project, visit us today!
We press buttons every day, but how often do we think about the technology behind them? Beyond flexible membrane keypads, there are several technology options related to the buttons and the membrane switch panels to which users interact with daily.
Membrane switch panels are made of various polyester layers printed and assembled. They allow creating a custom human-machine interface at a reasonable price with low investment cost. At Elecflex, we design, engineer, and integrate our customized membrane switches into various product applications of the medical, defense, transport, industrial, and aerospace industry. Whether you need a tactile, non-tactile, or capacitive keypad, we will develop a solution that matches your needs
What Are Membrane Switches?
The easiest way to understand what a membrane switch is, is to take the reference of an all-time favorite device – the microwave. The membrane switch on the microwave is the buttons – the human interface layer – that communicates to the microwave that you would like to heat your food for a minute.
Backlighting the Membrane Switch
If you would like to backlight your application, the membrane switch construction would incorporate LEDs for uniform lighting. Other options for backlighting include fiber-optic backlighting and EL backlighting. Depending on your application requirements, such as environmental exposure, shape, preference, and other unique specifications, the backlighting option would vary and be selected as per the function of your application. And since many devices today are portable, the backlighting solution is more relevant than ever.
A variety of applications that use backlighting solutions are medical devices in dimly lit operating rooms, airplane dashboards, remote controls, laboratory equipment, consumer appliances like laptop keyboards, and many other applications that we come in contact with daily or sporadically.
Membrane Switch Construction
A membrane switch consists of several layers laminated together. The layers of a basic membrane switch construction include a membrane overlay, rear adhesive, spacer, and tail filler. The construction can vary depending on the environment and requirements of the application into which the membrane switch plugs into.
For more stringent environmental requirements, the printed circuit can be replaced with a copper and polyimide construction. These construction designs offer an advantage concerning better resistance to moisture. You can explore more construction possibilities by visiting us for support.
What Industries Use Membrane Switches?
Various industries use membrane switch applications. One example would be the medical industry. Membrane switches for the medical field must be reliable, use high-quality metal domes, comply with strict FDA standards, and remove crossover on circuits in extreme environments. Membrane switch panel and keypads must be well sealed and moisture protected against cleaning solutions and liquid spills. Some medical professionals prefer the medical devices to have high tactile feel but lower tactile force. This requires proper material selection and good design for the latest domes to be successful.
A few other major industries that use membrane switch solutions are –
Useful Information on the Positive Sides of PCB Keypad
In this modern era of technology, an array of electronic items is used commonly. PCB Keypad is popularly liked and sought after due to their incredible functionality. They can be easily accessed and availed from reputed online shopping portals, like for example ElecFlex. It is a popular e-store where PCB-based membrane keypad and capacitive touch keypad are easily available, at highly competitive price rates.
Graphic Overlay Solution from ElecFlex
You might already be well aware of the fact that overlays happen to be critical printed interface layer components in touchscreens and membrane switches. These overlays provide a surface for graphic printing to help to develop a functional and easy-to-use user interface. Graphic overlay stays concerned with the cosmetic part of the membrane switch or touchscreen systems like showcasing or highlighting the primary functions, color, and text display window.
