When designing a silicone key pad for your unique business’ application a major consideration will be the type of key you choose, how it will feel (tactile response), how it will perform, and more. Here at SiTech, we work with each customer to come up with the best solution to their needs, the type of industry they are in, and the demands that will be put on the keys. Each business is different.
Here are some considerations when choosing your keys.
Force and Tactile Response
When you design your silicone rubber keypad, you have to think about how you want to apply force and how much force is needed to be effective. The easiest, most accurate method is through the use of metal domes, which does away with the need to use a diaphragm. In some cases, though, metal domes shouldn’t or can’t be used.
This is where diaphragms (AKA webbing or webs) come in. This is the thin, hinged area of the keypad that gives flexibility to the keypad. There are many ways you can increase or decrease the force that is generated by the diaphragm, such as by modifying the angle. For example, a lower angle has less force, while a larger angle has more force.
When you increase the thickness of the diaphragm, you boost the force necessary to get the tactile response you are looking for.
Key Types
There are a few key types to consider when creating your silicone keypad. You’ll have to first determine whether you will be using tact switches, metal domes, or shorting the pad with an electrical source within the silicone key itself. Next, you have to figure out if you want the keypad to be tactile. Think of it this way: do you want the buttons to feel like those on your TV remote or your microwave oven?
With the TV remote, the keys have a certain degree of “snap” when pressed, whereby microwave ovens have none. With metal domes or tact switches, it’s best to use the “Pusher Pad” silicone key design, which uses what’s known as a “dead web.” This is a flat diaphragm, used to prevent that double-click feeling.
The height of the tact switch or metal dome will determine the height of the contact surface at the key’s bottom.
Another popular kind of key design is a “Rocker Type,” which is designed to utilize many shorting pads within one key. This would be a good option is you want to move the object forwards and backwards with just one key.
Force Curve
The force curve of a tactile silicone key comprises several variables. For example, you have the actuation force at the top of the curve, which refers to how much force is necessary to collapse the key’s membrane.
There’s also the touch force, which refers to how much force is needed to maintain closure of the key.
As you can see, many different factors much be taken into account when choosing your key and designing your silicone keypad.
Contact Si-Tech
To learn more about the process involved in choosing and creating key types for your device, contact us today at 757-887-8488.
