A membrane switch or more precisely a standard membrane switch assembly is comprised of several flexible layers that make up a complete switch package. This assembly can have as few as one active area (key or button) to several dozen active areas. A membrane panel switch is an interface between man and machine, which enables an operator to communicate with equipment, instrumentation, or machinery. Subsequently, this allows the operator to communicate with the device, issuing commands and/or performing other operations. The operator presses the membrane control panel when he or she wants to control the device.
Construction of Membrane Switch
Graphic Overlay – PET/PC is usually the overlay material of choice due to its fantastic chemical resistance and flex property. Komkey offers custom membrane switch panel such as digital printing, screen-printing, or apply both methods to ensure you get the right colors, textures and finish your design requirements.
Adhesive Overlay – This adhesive layer sticks the membrane overlay to the top circuit layer, and is usually an acrylic adhesive. The material is the same as the fourth layer. Only the thickness is maybe different according to the actual situation.
Top Circuit Layer – The material of this layer is specific. It is a 0.1mm thickness thermostable PET film printed with conductive silver ink and also dielectric oil, which used for fastening metal domes.
Circuit Spacer – This layer separates the top circuit from the bottom circuit so that the touch membrane remains normally break until the flat membrane switch keypad is pressed. The circuit spacer is a polyester spacer with adhesive on both sides.
Lower Circuit Layer – This layer is a 0.1mm-0.25mm thickness thermostable PET film printed with conductive silver ink and also dielectric oil. This layer terminates as a flexible tail that serves as an interconnector to controller PCBs or other IC.
Rear Adhesive – This adhesive layer bonds the entire membrane switch to the product surface, housing, or to a rigid support panel. Komkey, a membrane switch keypad supplier, can use the proper adhesive type and thickness to bond your membrane switch to your equipment.
