Membrane Switch Design Guide-Mechanical

26575 Corporate Avenue

Hayward, CA 94545

510-732-3100

FAX: 510-732-3111

Membrane Switch Mechanical Design Considerations

Melrose manufactures membrane switches and rubber keypads to world-class quality standards, with any feature at an economical price. We can usually produce 5 prototypes in 10 days or fewer for $1,000.

Our manufacturing factories are ISO 9001:2008 registered and routinely produce membrane switches for applications including medical, telecommunications, food and petrochemical process, test and measurement equipment, white good, industrial electronics transportation equipment and remote controls. Melrose can usually meet our customer’s cost objectives.

Let our engineers help you assess your membrane switch design options.

Optimize key feel

Definite snap action with appropriate dome size and trip force curve

Extremely light touch sliders, wheels and buttons for switching feel similar to capacitive.

Textured surfaces

Outdoor UV resistant

Polyester vs Polycarbonate

Durable 2nd surface printing

Digital Printing

UV cured inks; printed with up to 6 process colors.

Economical for short runs

Very fine gradient and full color (photo quality)

Special effects (e.g., metallics, bright colors, opacity) when combined with screen print

Screen printing

Opaque PMS matched colors

Reflective and flake metallic inks

Economical for longer runs

UV or Solvent

LCD Window Options

Finish options: Gloss, glare reducing matt, 3H scratch resistantance

Printed Features: Transparent tints; dead fronts (window visible only when backside illuminated)

Minimize air gap without creating Newton’s rings (spacer dots, backside of overlay)

Eliminate air gap with optically clear adhesive (OCA)

Remove the overlay material over the LCD.

Overlay Embossing

Rim or full key (pillow)

LED relief (vs flush to overlay surface)

Braille

Overlay Materials

Optimize LCD Viewing (minimize light refraction)

Water & Dust resistant gasketing.

The connector tails on membrane switches are typically designed so that a “tail filler” is needed between the tail exit position of the switch and the edge of the part. For membrane switch applications where moisture exposure is expected, this tail filler can result in moisture traveling along the tail and into the system electronics.

Melrose can design a membrane switch with no tail filler and associated moisture path. This design features a continuous “gasket” backside adhesive perimeter.

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