Membrane Switches

Circuitry

This layer of a membrane switch consists of heat stabilized polyester printed with conductive and dielectric inks. The conductive ink is printed in a pattern which allows the switch to function properly when combined with contact from the steel tactile domes. The printed traces can terminate to a crimp flex connector, or can be left without pins and housing if a zif connection is necessary. The dielectric ink is printed over the traces if jumpers are required and over the exposed traces along the tail to insulate them from environmental influences. This layer is the heart of any membrane switch and undergoes thorough testing prior to being combined with the remaining layers of the switch.

Once tested, this layer has pressure sensitive adhesive laminated to the back of it according to your specifications. If the adhesive requires die cutting prior to lamination it is cut with a steel rule die and then laminated to the back of the circuit. We keep a number of laminating adhesives on hand, each best suited for application to particular surfaces in a given end-use environment. After the adhesive is applied to the back of the circuit layer, the spacer is applied to the front, the domes are installed, the retainer is laminated to the top of the spacer and the graphic overlay is laminated to the top of the retainer. Once these layers have all been combined the switch is completed and ready for final quality testing. Once final testing is completed the switch is carefully packaged and sent off to you.

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