How do Rubber Keypads Work?
A rubber keypad membrane switch uses compression-molded silicone rubber with conductive carbon pills or with non-conductive rubber actuators. The compression molding process creates an angled web around a keypad center. When a keypad is pressed, the webbing collapses or deforms to produce a tactile response. When the pressure on the keypad is released, the webbing returns the keypad to its original position with positive feedback. The closure of the switch circuit occurs when the conductive pill or printed conductive ink makes contact to a PCB when the web has been deformed.
What are the Benefits of Using Rubber Keypads?
Cost-effective: Rubber keypads are relatively inexpensive on a per piece basis, but require fairly expensive tooling, usually making them a design choice for higher volume projects.
Outdoor Weatherability: Rubber keypads have exceptional resistance to extreme temperatures and aging. Silicone rubber also has excellent resistant to chemicals and moisture.
Design Flexibility: Rubber keypads offer a multitude of cosmetic and aesthetic options as well as tactile feedback customization.
Superior tactile feedback: the geometry of the keypad webbing can create a 3-dimensional keypad with a firm tactile response and longer switch travel. Actuation forces and switch travel can be customized to your requirements.
Can utilize carbon pills, non-conductive rubber actuators, or stainless steel tactile domes.
Unusual keypad shapes and sizes can be used, as well as different rubber durometers (hardness).
Multiple colors can be achieved by flow molding the color into the compression molding process.
Rubber keypad graphics can be further customized by screen printing the keypad top surface.
Rubber keypad switches can be spray coated with polyurethane for enhanced durability.
Rubber keypads can be impervious to liquids, dust and gases by utilizing creative designs such as a wrap-around design.
Back Lighting Flexibility: Rubber keypads can be backlit using LED's, fiber optic lamps, and EL lighting. Laser-etching the rubber keypad can enhance the effects of back lighting. The use of light pipes in the individual keypads is also a way to customize back lighting and preventing light scatter.
What are Some Design Considerations for Rubber Keypads?
Tactile Response: Varying the tactile response is accomplished by a number of factors such as changing the web geometry and the durometer of the silicone rubber. Durometer can range from 30 – 90 shore A. Many key shape sizes can be designed, and the keypad travel can be as much as 3mm. Actuation force can be as high as 500 grams with certain keypad shapes and sizes.
Snap Ratio: Altering the snap ratio of the keypad will also affect the tactile feedback of your rubber keypad. Snap ratios of 40% – 60% are recommended for the optimum combination of feel and maximizing the keypad life. Once the snap ratio goes below 40%, the keypad snap-action feel is diminished, although the life of the switch is enhanced.
Flow Molding: A process by which custom colors are introduced into the compression process so that the colors are molded into the actual silicone rubber. Further customization can be achieved by screen printing custom graphics onto the top surface of the keypads.
Laser Etching: The process of removing the top coat layer of a painted keypad (usually black in color) to reveal lighter colored layer below (usually white). This way the back lighting only shines through the areas that have been etched away. By combining laser etching with fiber optic, LED, or EL back lighting, there is no limit to the range of creative back lighting effects you can achieve.
Contact us now to speak with a Pannam Imaging engineer about rubber keypad switch assemblies.
Why Consider Pannam for Your Rubber Keypad Assembly?
You receive the most benefit when you consult with us early in your project. Pannam's U.S.-based design engineers work closely with you, offering expert recommendations and support to create a dependable rubber keypad design that is built in our ISO-certified facility to meet your application requirements.
We recommend the most practical and cost-effective solution that meets your requirements and satisfies your goals.
You have a direct line of communication with our design engineers to stay informed about the progress of your project.
Advanced printing and fabrication capabilities, and trusted suppliers enable us to select the best components for your integrated assembly.
The final delivery is a robust, feature-rich rubber keypad switch assembly that will set your equipment apart from the competition.
Contact Pannam now regarding your rubber keypad assembly.
Visit our Product Gallery to learn more about the various constructions and product features we can offer, and learn how Pannam can customize your rubber keypad assembly to meet and exceed your unique application requirements.