Membrane Switches

Membrane switches, which are also referred to as Membrane Keyboards or Membrane keypads, are made by printing colored and conductive inks onto Polyester or Polycarbonate films. The top layer creates the graphical design whilst the lower layers contain the printed circuitry layers.

A membrane switch operates when electrical contact is made by pressing the finger onto the switch contact area and broken when the finger is released. With the addition of metal domes within the structure, it is possible to add a specific tactile response for each key.

It is an electrical control for turning a circuit on and off.  Membrane switches are more cost-effective and take up less design space than mechanical switches or buttons because of their low profile. Membrane switches are easy to clean which makes them ideal for Medical or industrial controls.

Some common options :

Graphic Overlay:

◇ Complete custom graphic design and development
◇ Wide range of graphic layer material options such as: polyester, polycarbonate, silicone

◇ LCD or LCD window options


Circuits:
◇ Silver, carbon, dielectrics on polyester
◇ FPC
◇ Rigid PCBA

Shielding:
◇ ESD, EMI or RFI shielding

Backlighting:
◇ LED
◇ Light guide film

Switching:
◇ Tactile metal domes (wide range of sizes and actuation forces available)
◇ Non-tactile platforms
◇ Polydome