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.