Membrane switches can be produced without metal snap domes. These designs have no “tactile feel” when a key is depressed. Closure of the interdigitated traces on the static layer is accomplished by a shorting pad printed on the backside of the graphic overlay.
Membrane switches without tactile feedback are thinner, and also simpler to construct. Consequently cost can be saved if a non-tactile design is specified.
The photo (below, right) shows a non-tactile membrane key pad used on a piece of exercise equipment. Fibre optics behind the lower left portion of the overlay illuminates strips of instructional information that provide visual feedback to the exercise equipment user.