know more about the membrane switch before you buy
Post on 24-Jul-2016
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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
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.
Manufacturers-
China 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.
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