MEMBRANE SWITCHES
Based in Southern California and supplying all of the United States, Becker's Fabrication Inc. knows how to listen to customers and meet their needs for the production of membrane switches. We have the capabilities to produce a small run of 10 or large production run of 1000's of membrane switches. We work very closely with our customer during all aspects of design and production. While we try to focus on our domestic manufacturing, we do offer low labor country sources when it is a must. You can read more about our commitment to our American workers under our Made In USA tab.
Membrane switches are a reliable alternative to mechanical switches in electronic applications where low cost, visually appealing, durable input pads are required. Adding LEDs or other surface mount components can often save time and money. It also aids in the assembly of your final product as there is not need to spend time aligning window/button areas with an overlay. Membrane switches can be completely sealed making them dust-proof and moisture resistance with extended temperature ranges (-45 –C - +100 C). A membrane switch is unparalleled in terms of clean-ability making it a good choice for medical, industrial or other environment where cleaning is necessary. Becker's Fabrication specializes in the pool and spa industry and understands the unique requirements of applications in these environments. These rugged environments carry over to most industrial and medical applications. Our Engineers can apply our years of experience on your project and save you time and energy with troubled designs or environments.
MEMBRANE KEYPADS AND KEYBOARDS
Because of the relatively short travel of membrane switches it is often desirable to provide users tactile feedback. Tactile Switches are created by adding domes to the basic membrane switch construction. Two types of domes can be used for this, polyester or stainless steel. Polyester is often the most economical and long lived, while stainless steel allows for higher temperature exposure and more controlled tactile feel. Tactile switches constructed with stainless steel domes have a stamped steel dome placed above each switch contact. Domes are available in variety of sizes and actuation forces. Becker's Engineering can assist with which choice is best for the application.
Tactile switches constructed with polyester domes have domes formed into either the graphic layer or the top circuit layer. This creates the need for a special forming toll and increases tooling costs. Because individual domes do not need to be placed above each contact, polyester domes often are more cost effect in higher quantities.
A typical membrane switch is comprised of several layers.
1) Graphic Overlay
Becker's Fabrication Inc. combines both digital and screen printing processes to produce brilliant graphic overlays utilizing simple or complex designs provided by our customers. Custom embossed areas are used to highlight buttons and functions and selective textures are used for windows and other graphic affects. Selective textures can often provide additional graphic effects and allow for gloss or textured windows.
2) Adhesive Layers
Before bonding the circuit layer to the graphic overlay, Becker's Fabrication Inc uses Laser guided registration tools to achieve alignment tolerances of +/- .010”( +/- 10mils). We then use best-in-class
materials to ensure a lasting bond between the graphic overlay and the circuit layer of the membrane switch.
3) Circuit Layer
The printed circuit layer is created by applying high quality conductive inks using a screen printing process. A standard multi-pin interface is used to connect the membrane switch to the customer's application. Separation layers made of non-conductive materials are used to separate multiple circuit layers. Circuit layers are created to meet the complexity of the design requirements.
4) Rear Adhesive Layer
Special adhesives are used to bond the membrane switch to the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) or case material of the customer's application.
If you would like more information about our membrane switches , membrane keypads, panels, and overlays, please contact us for design assistance and quotation.