Membrane Switch Descriptions

Advanced Input Systems' membrane switch products are designed to meet demanding requirements. Our membrane switch products are particularly popular and reliable in environments where instrumentation needs to be highly visible, cleanable, and impervious to surrounding elements.

Membrane switch products utilize flat panel, tactile, or non-tactile touch with multiple switch technology options: dome switch or membrane. The tactile dome membrane switch supplies a crisp snap-action breakover tactile feel for optimal operator accuracy. The non-tactile membrane switch adapts the simplest of switches with silver ink screened on polyester. Membrane switch products are used in applications that require an easy-to-clean user interface and the ability to operate in a severe and exacting environment.

How Concerned Are You About Component Parts Causing Premature Device Failures?

Advanced Input Systems recognizes that the component quality-to-price / price-to-performance boundary is different for OEMs dealing with products expected to last a few years, than for OEMs relying on devices that impact medical life. We can help you sort the options and preferred / prohibited component categories.

Typical Applications

• Process control equipment
• Medical equipment
• Laboratory instrumentation
• Test and measurement instruments
• Point-of-sale systems
• Various industrial, business and educational equipment

Available Technologies

Tactile Membrane Switch

• Flat Panel Membrane Tactile products incorporate a metal dome on a poly circuit screened in silver ink.

Non-tactile Membrane Switch

• Flat Panel Membrane Non-tactile keyboards use the simplest of switches with silver ink screened on polyester.

Polyester Dome Membrane Switch

• Flat Panel Membrane Polyester Dome switch uses a formed plastic dome as the tactile element in conjunction with a screened silver ink circuit.

Dome Switch

• Flat Panel Dome products incorporate the use of a tactile metal dome on a printed circuit board.

Advanced Input Systems Technical Expertise

Low Design, Tooling, and Production Costs:

• State-of-the-art CAD design systems
• High-tech custom tooling capabilities
• Rapid custom prototype cycle
• Established material supply lines
• High efficiency manufacturing and assembly

High Value-Added Capabilities:

• Custom graphics
• Custom lighting
• Custom electronics
• Custom packaging
• Custom colors
• Custom integration of alternate input technologies
• Custom insertable legends

Specifications

Note: Specifications will vary depending on materials, construction, and circuitry. Please consult our factory with application-specific requirements.

Custom Design Options

• Environmental sealing
• Durable, lightweight construction
• Extensive graphic overlay capabilities
• Unlimited color options
• Tactile and non-tactile keys
• Tactile membrane switch with polyester domes
• PCB substrate switch circuits with metal domes
• Status indicators: LEDs in keys
• Embossed overlays
• User-defined graphics and legends
• Standard or custom electronics
• Backlighting of keys or legends
• Fiber optic backlighting
• Electroluminescent (EL) backlighting
• Custom firmware
• EMI/RFI shielding
• Plastic or metal enclosures
• Cables and connectors
• NEMA rated designs
• Attractive, secure packaging
• And more

Custom Membrane Switches

Memtron Input Components, a unit of Esterline’s Interface Technologies Group, has developed a number of proprietary membrane switch constructions to enhance the performance and reliability of your operator interface. These proven designs comply with domestic and international standards and include:

• Conventional and uni-layer non-tactile constructions
• Unique Posi-tac I and Posi-tac II tactile constructions with discreet domes
• Poly-tac I and Poly-tac II tactile designs incorporating formed polyester domes
• Printed-circuit-board-backed solutions in tactile and non-tactile versions
• Elastomeric keypads
• Patented Pushgate technology from DuraSwitch Industries

View Esterline.com/Memtron for more information