Keyflex Technical Design Support
Customer support across design, development and production
Touchscreen, membrane switch, plastic injection and silicone keypad mould technical design support
At Keyflex, we provide technical design support to our customers who require mechanical engineering and product design support during the development and tooling of their product design. This applies across our range of manufacturing services from plastic injection parts/overmoulds and in-house tooling for the mould design and analysis to silicon rubber moulded parts and keypad design to provide our customers with the necessary levels of service to ensure the success of the product and provide the highest levels of support for supply line resilience. We also offer highly reliable and versatile solutions for many customers for services such as PCB and PCB-A supply and box-build assemblies to provide a full manufacturing service solution.
Silicon keypads are ideally suited for applications that require sealing against the effects of dust and moisture, as they can be compressed between the board and the moulding, creating a seal. For added protection, the keypad can be designed to wrap around the edges of the circuit board, providing a sealed enclosure for all critical components inside. Silicon keypads are rubber-based, which makes them stable across a wide temperature range, without the problems associated with adhesives often used with seals for board mount switches. Rubber’s resistance to numerous chemicals is far superior to that of the polycarbonates used for graphic overlays, making it suitable for use in harsh environments. Silicon keypads can be designed to meet the expected high standards that society demands, especially when dealing in the expanding overseas markets.
Our team of experts can provide you with the necessary technical support to help you design and develop your product. We have a wealth of experience in mechanical engineering and product design, and we can help you with everything from initial concept design to final product testing. Our team is dedicated to providing you with the highest levels of service and support, and we are committed to ensuring the success of your product.
If you are looking for a reliable and experienced partner to help you with your mechanical and technical design needs, then look no further than Keyflex. We are here to help you every step of the way, and we are committed to providing you with the best possible service and support. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you with your next project.
Silicone Keypad Design and Technical Information
Silicon Keypads offer highly reliable and versatile solutions to the many assembly and environmental problems that arise in electronics manufacturing.
With their ease of assembly as one complete keypad, production costs can be greatly reduced in comparison with board mount switches, whilst maintaining tactile feel and switch travel.
As many applications require sealing against the effects of dust and moisture, this can prove difficult when utilising conventional switches with overlays. Silicon keypads are ideally suited to this role with the ability to be compressed between the board and the moulding, creating a seal. For added protection the keypad can be designed to wrap around the edges of the circuit board, providing a sealed enclosure for all critical components inside.
Being rubber based, the keypads display excellent stability across a wide temperature range, without the problems associated with adhesives often used with seals for board mount switches.
Rubber's resistance to numerous chemicals is far superior to that of the polycarbonates etc. used for graphic overlays, making it suitable for use in harsh environments. Aesthetically, silicon keypads can be designed to meet the expected high standards that society demands, especially when dealing in the expanding overseas markets.
The moulding process allows almost any key shape to be achieved, complemented by the use of any Pantone colour desired, both in the key structure and the printed detail. For applications requiring backlighting, Translucent silicon is used, ensuring an even spread of light throughout the keypad.
Should you prefer to have a Plastic keycap, these too can be provided in a range of colours and shapes, with the key information either being printed on the keycap or engraved into the plastic. For versatility, the keycaps can be supplied clear, allowing the user to fit any form of labelling underneath the clear cap, which of course can then be changed at any time.
Actuation force and tactile feedback can be designed to meet a range of applications, where the "feel" of the key is of importance to the everday user.
Following are some general specifications and design information. Should you require some assistance with design or further technical information, please contact us using the below details
G E N E R A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
Operating Temperature: Storage Temperature: Operating Force:
Cycle Life:
Contact Resistance:
Contact Rating: Contact Bounce: Insulation Resistance: Break Voltage:
Key Colour:
Key Size:
Key Shape:
Tactile Feedback:
Print Colour:
Conductive Rubber
Specific Gravity: Hardness Shore A: Tensile Strength kg/cm:
Elongation %: Compression Set %: Volume resistivity ohm-cm
-15 C to
-30 C to
50 to 350 grams
300,000 to 30 million
<100 ohms 5mA@12VDC
<12 milliseconds
12
> 10 ohms @ 500VDC
> 25-30KV/
Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional
1.06 - 1.18
60 - 65
65
300
15 - 25
4
Insulative Rubber
Specific Gravity: Hardness Shore A: Tensile Strength kg/cm: Elongation %: Compression Set %:
Volume resistivity ohm-cm Room Temperature
After 24 Hours @ 150 C
1.10 - 1.40
35 - 80
50 - 80
400
18 - 20
2 x 1014
3 x 2014
Standard Conductive PIL sizes:
Diameter (mm)
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
Thickness (mm)
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
Please note that the Conductive PILs can be produced to almost any design, including PILs with the centre removed for backlighting using a LED mounted under the switch centre.