Ever wonder how the silicone keypad featured on your medical devices and manufacturing machinery has been assembled? It’s a complex, fascinating process that has many moving parts, attention to detail and the latest in state of the art technology to complete. Check out the steps involved in the silicone keypad assembly process undertaken by us here at SiTech.
#1: What Design Options Do You Want?
We offer a variety of Silastikey™ design options that can be incorporated into your silicone keypad’s final result. The first step is to choose the options you want. We offer:
- Custom Shapes
- Custom Surface Finishes
- High Quality Graphics/Colors
- Key Travel and Actuation Forces
- Back Lighting
- Light Pipes
- Clear Windows
- One-Piece Construction
- Sealing Features and Wrap-Around Designs that prevent infiltration from dust, liquids and gases
- Proprietary Chemical Barriers
- Superior Abrasion Resistance Barriers
- SiPrime ™ Adhesive Primer System to allow for adhesive bonding and laminating
Once you have considered the design options you want, it’s on to the details.
#2: What Silicone Key Assembly Designs Do You Want?
There are many considerations to keep in mind when it comes to the core elements of your overall design:
- Fully-Operational PCB Assembly with intelligence provides all the bells and whistles for intuitive design
- Choose between Single/Double-sided or Multi-layer boards according to the needs of your industry
- Operational PCBs with switch layout only
- Choose your desired kind of board plating in Matte Tin Plate, HASL, Nickel, or Gold Plating
- What kind of dome? We have both metal or polyester domes for tactile response
- Mechanical vs. tack switch PCB mounted or auto insertion
- Half Switch Assembly (rubber keypad with tactile switch layer only)
- Choose type of Termination: Connector, Header, Ribbon or Flat Flex cable
#3: Customization is Key
If it’s one thing we’re known for here at SiTech, it’s options. We offer the option to order your silicone rubber keypad with:
- Printed circuit board
- Metal domes
- Polyester domes
- Membrane circuit
These options all reduce the time commitment required for management of the many sub-assemblies that go into making your keypad assembly.
#4: Getting Started
To match the ever-growing requests from our customers to manufacture a complete keypad assembly, our factory capabilities have been evolving. Whether you’re in the aerospace, medical or commercial contracting industry, we have you covered. Order your silicone rubber keypad complete with a flat membrane switch or try a Printed Circuit Board. Just tell us your requirements, material needs and schematics and we will do the rest. We even offer rapid prototyping for speedy results.
Contact SiTech
No matter what options you choose for your silicon keypad assembly, SiTech is here to offer you complete sales support for technical questions, field application support and even customer visits if need be. To learn more about rapid prototyping and quotes, please contact us today at 757-887-8488.
