Tuesday, July 31, 2018

What Are The Uses And Advantages of Using Membrane Switch?

A Membrane Switch is a rabidly printed electronic circuit, integrating pressure to touch, open and close the concerned circuit. Most often, the membrane switch board or circuitry entails screen printing with conductive stuff and inks. These are typically made of carbon, silver, or/and graphite. Membrane switches constitute a significant range of devices, which you consider to be user-manuals or interfaces. You can also use them to operator interfaces, or the more popular artificial interfaces. You can get them along with formidable display-driven touch screens, and proper mechanical switches such as toggle, push-button, slide switches and rocker. The ultimate objective of a membrane switch is to play the role of the interface between the machine and you, the man, enabling the operator to convey or communication with a single piece of machinery, instrument or equipment.

The features and benefits


A Membrane Switch entails a completed and potently sealed surface. You can easily clean and sterilize it. It also has a low profile with no crevices for trapping or entangling with contaminants. These switches are a very cost-effective alternative to capacitive, cumbersome touch keypads and rubber keypad units and assemblies. The switches have a thin profile, saving valuable room in your product design. The interface is also very easy with existing boards and controllers. You don’t need any special electronics, which you require for touch screens.

More on the features

A Membrane Switch showcases a versatile and flexible graphic interface. You can digitally print or screen the overlays with stunning and clear, photo-level graphic effects. The water resistant designs meet IP 67 and NEMA 4 specifications. As regards its options and components, you’ll find that the integration of customer properties to the assembly of your membrane switch can often add a considerable amount of functionality and bolster the user experience when you operate the equipment. The more components in this regard are visual feedback, custom back lighting, custom support panels and graphic overlays.

Incorporating special features into the switches

The first thing will be tactile feedback. You can manufacture a Membrane Switch with non-tactile components, which activate with exact 4-8 oz or quantum of touch pressure. You will find that the non-tactile ones are less expensive, providing the longest and most durable switch life. Entailing a snap-action modality and feel, the tactile switches are open to incorporation into a membrane switch. It will enhance the tactile feedback. However, it comes at a lower life for the switch and greater cost.

Know the industries


You can find membrane switches in different industries. Laboratory equipment and medical instrumentation are ideal markets and domains for these switches. You can design them for sealing from contaminants and moisture, and with potent anti-microbial cover or coatings, whist resist harsh chemicals and bacterial growth. You also use membrane switches in industries such as industrial controls, telecommunication networking tools, fitness equipment and electronic test. The fitness industry is the new member in this club to use the switches as their premium interface. The switches also come in advanced technologies, which shield the cabinetry from rugged and harsh environments.