Manufacturer of Membrane Switches

Custom Membrane Switches Manufacturer China

What are Membrane Switches?
Components of a Membrane Switch
Applications of Membrane Switches
Custom Printed Membrane Switches

We are specialize in manufacturing a variety of Membrane Switches, including Custom Membrane Switches, Membrane Keypads, Membrane Switch Panels, Control Panels, Metal Dome Membrane Switches, Keypad Switches, Membrane Switch Overlays, EL Membrane Switches, LED Membrane Switches, Tactile Membrane Switches and Non-tactile Membrane Switches.

What are Membrane Switches?

Membrane switches, also called membrane keypads, are built from thin polycarbonate or polyester film and pressure sensitive adhesive.

Membrane switches are manufactured by screen printing the circuit directly onto a plastic substrate with silver or carbon conductive ink. Its simple, versatile, durable, and economical design make it a superior alternative to the mechanical switch.

Components of a Membrane Switch

The Graphic Overlay (The Face): The graphic overlay is the only part of the switch the user actually sees and touches. It is typically constructed from polyester or polycarbonate.
The Adhesive Layers: A membrane switch is essentially a “sandwich” of materials, and adhesive is the glue that keeps the structure together.
The Upper Circuit Layer: This layer sits just beneath the overlay. It is typically a flexible polyester film printed with conductive ink (usually silver or carbon).
The Spacer (The Gap): The spacer is a critical component that acts as a physical gap between the upper and lower circuit layers.
The Lower Circuit Layer: Like the upper layer, this is printed on a flexible material with conductive traces. However, it serves as the base of the electronic signal path. It is often more rigid or supported by a backing layer to ensure the entire assembly remains stable during operation.
The Rear Adhesive / Backing: The final layer of the stack is the adhesive that attaches the switch to the host device. In some applications, a rigid backing (like aluminum or acrylic) is added to provide extra structural support if the switch is being mounted over a large or irregular opening.

Applications of Membrane Switches

Membrane switches can be used in a great variety of low-voltage applications, from microprocessor-based systems to data entry pads and digital control panels.

Membrane Keypads is widely used in many consumer products as well as many industrial applications like home appliance(microwave ovens and stoves), communication facility, industrial control panels, industry instrumentation, household appliances, retail equipment, fitness equipment, consumer products, manufacturing, electronic and medical equipment.

Industrial Controls and Manufacturing
Medical and Healthcare Devices
Aerospace and Automotive
Consumer Electronics and Appliances
Defense and Security
Household Appliances

Specification of Membrane Switches

Environmental

Operating Temperature: -20°C to +80°C
Storage Temperature: -40°C to +85°C
Humidity: 40°C, 90% to 95% for 240 hours
Libration: 20G’ Max. (10~20Hz)

Electrical

Circuit Rating: 35V(DC), 100mA, 1W
Operating Voltage: 35 volts maximum
Operating Current: 10 micro amps to 100 milliamps, resistive
Operating Power: 1 watt maximum
Circuit Resistance: 10Ω-500Ω, dependent on size and layout
Insulation Resistance: 100M ohms at 100V DC
Dielectric Withstand: 250VRms(50~60Hz 1min)
Contact Bounce: ≤ 5 milliseconds

Mechanical

Actuation Force: Non-tactile 50g to 350g, Tactile 150g to 400g
Switch Stroke: Non-tactile 0.1 to 0.5mm, Tactile 0.6 to 1.5mm
Life Expectancy: Non-tactile >5 million actuations, Tactile >1 million actuations

Different types of front materials, lighting options, shielding options, housings, displays and finishing options give you absolute design freedom on your membrane switch application.

Graphic Overlay Materials

Polyester (PET): This is the gold standard for membrane switches. It is incredibly durable, offers excellent chemical resistance, and can withstand millions of actuations without cracking.

Polycarbonate (PC): A cost-effective alternative that is easy to emboss and offers high clarity. However, it is less resistant to harsh chemicals than polyester, making it better for indoor, office-like environments.

We provide a wide range of polycarbonate materials: Clear Glossy Polycarbonate Film, Velvet Textured Polycarbonate Film, Fine(Matte) Textured Polycarbonate Film, Matt Black Polycarbonate Film, Brushed Polycarbonate Film, Hard Coated lexan Polycarbonate Film.

Thickness of the Graphic Overlay

125 microns, 175 microns, 250 microns, 380 microns and 500 microns etc. Commonly used is 250 microns thickness for the overlays. A finished membrane switch total thickness about 1mm thickness.

Back Adhesive

Nitto, 3M9448A, 3M467MP, 3M468MP, 3M9080, 3M200MP, 3M200LSE, 3M300LSE, 3MVHB. Adhesive or selective adhesive can be added for simple application procedures.

Printing Color

We can do CMYK Full Color Printing Graphic Overlays with UV Digital Printing Machine or UV Offset Printing Machine.

We can print special ink like gold/silver metallic ink, Holographic Ink, Mirror Silver Ink, Mirror Gold Ink, Chrome Silver Ink, Glow in the Dark and Fluorescent Inks. PMS Color, RAL Color or Sample Color Matching.

Finishes

Clear, velvet and embossed. The more common choice is the velvet finish which is excellent for hiding surface scratches. Texture or selectively textured finishes can be added to the surface of an graphic overlay.

Die Cut Holes or Cutouts

We can do custom cut for plugs, connectors, pins or actuators. Customized shapes and die cutting.

Dead front

Hidden graphics, with your message appearing when label is illuminated from the back.

Windows

Clear Windows for Displays or Indicator Lights, Transparent Windows, Adhesive-free Windows, Tinted Windows, Matte Gloss Windows

Embossing Buttons

Rim Embossing, Pillow Embossing, Dome Embossing, Debossing, Ring Embossing, Braille Embossing

LEDs

Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, White

Custom Printed Membrane Switches

Membrane Switches custom made to your specific needs and desires. We offer a variety of substrates and special features (Options including surface texture materials, embossing, backlighting (Fiber Optic or Electroluminescent), Embedded LEDs, ESD shielding) can be incorporated to accommodate your branding efforts.

Membrane switches can be tactile or non-tactile, depending on the design. Tactile switches provide a physical “click” when the user pushes it. Non-tactile switches have longer lives, but lack physical feedback to the user.