How Does a Tactile Keypad Work?

A tactile keypad works by providing physical feedback to the user when a key is pressed. Typically, a tactile membrane switch keypad consists of several layers: a top layer with key symbols, a middle layer with domes or switches, and a bottom layer with conductive traces. The middle layer contains tactile domes or switches to provide the physical feedback when pressed.

As the dome collapses, it makes contact with the conductive traces on the bottom layer, completing the electrical circuit. This contact sends an electrical signal to the device’s control unit, indicating which key has been pressed.

Benefits of Tactile Keypads

One main benefit of a tactile keypad is improved accuracy, as the tactile feedback helps users to be more certain of their input, reducing errors. It also allows for faster typing or data entry since users can quickly move to the next key without waiting for visual confirmation. Additionally, tactile keypads are designed to withstand excessive pressing, making them durable and reliable for long-term use.

Types of Tactile Keypads

RSP manufactures several standard constructions of keypads that offer tactile feedback.

Silicone Keypad with Carbon Contacts: The silicone keypad is mounted above a flexible circuit or printed circuit board. On the bottom of the silicone are plungers with printed conductive carbon or carbon pills. The tactile feedback is provided when the webbing around the key collapses and creates a “snap” feel. The carbon then touches the lower circuit, and the key is actuated. The key returns to its original position when the finger is removed, ready to be actuated again.

Silicone Keypad with Metal Dome: In the above construction, the carbon is removed from the silicone, and a metal dome is placed between the silicone plunger and the flexible or rigid circuit below. The metal dome provides tactile feel and can even click audibly upon actuation.

Membrane Switch with Polydome: Molded polyester domes (polydomes) are formed into the upper circuit or the graphics layer. No additional material is required, and individual domes do not need to be placed for each key. Generally these domes are considered for large-quantity orders to reduce costs.

Membrane Switch with Metal Dome: Stainless steel domes are commonly used in small-to-medium-quantity jobs. They offer the longest actuation life and a better tactile feel than polydomes.

RSP maintains a significant inventory of domes ranging in size, shape and actuation force.

Our engineering staff will provide expert advice on the dome type best suited for your application.

Using Tactile Keypads in Production

On a non-tactile keypad, the user knows that the button has been actuated only when the device performs a function. This can lead to confusion about whether or not a button was pushed hard enough or correctly, which may lead to errors such as repeated unnecessary actuation. A tactile keypad avoids this confusion by having the button snap back after being actuated. This force is felt on the finger and in some cases can produce a noise such as a “click” to further verify that the button was actuated. Apart from avoiding confusion, these keypads are preferred for other reasons including simple user experience (UX). UX is very important for consumer products so that the consumer has an enjoyable time using your product. This can also help the customer understand the product more intuitively.

Case Study

A new client approached RSP to help improve an existing membrane switch design. The switch was used on construction equipment and was not holding up in the field as long as the warranty period, causing a high cost in maintenance. The client sent us failed units that appeared to be of good quality construction but were showing signs of abuse from heavy use. RSP asked if we could observe the product use in the field, and we went to visit a customer utilizing the switch.

We were quickly able to see that the switch actuated a mechanical arm that had a delayed movement. Essentially, the switch user would attempt to actuate the arm and not get any immediate feedback. When this happened, they would press the switch multiple times and press forcefully to compensate for the lack of feedback. RSP suggested that the key be made larger to help the user locate it and also that a large tactile dome be integrated in the construction to provide tactile feedback to the user. After RSP manufactured prototypes for field testing, the switches were holding up longer and there was also both improved operator satisfaction using the product and lower maintenance costs.

What Other Products Use This Technology?

Virtually any keypad can incorporate this technology, and you’ve no doubt used hundreds in your life. This technology is used frequently in industrial and consumer applications.

If you would like to receive a sample pack from our sales team, give us a call at 1-866-329-1804 or email sales@rspinc.com

RSP Inc is a full turnkey contract manufacturer with over 50 years of experience. We can take your idea all the way to a finished retail product with logistics and order fulfillment. The only limit is your imagination, so dream big!

The post What is a Tactile Keypad? appeared first on RSP Inc..

A flexible keyboard is a keypad made from silicone or other soft polymers that bend and flex. It could be a qwerty, numeric or even a customized keyboard designed for any application. They’re durable, water-resistant and virtually indestructible.

Silicone Keypad Applications

You can find flexible silicone keyboards all over the world in many industries such as agricultural, automotive, medical, industrial and more. They are well suited for almost any environment.

You can find flexible silicone keyboards all over the world in many industries such as agricultural, automotive, medical, industrial and more. These bendable keypads are well suited for almost any environment. To find out more about all the industries that RSP manufacturers rubber keypads for, head over to our Silicone Keypad Capabilities page for more in-depth examples.

Why Flexible Keyboards?

Today, consumers and machine operators are looking for dynamic and mobile technology solutions. A flexible keyboard can be designed to fold up and fit in a pocket or rolled up to create desk space. It is light and bendable, allowing for easy transportation in a limited space. They often use the same types of connectors as rigid keyboards that work with USB wire harnesses for plug-and-play simplicity.

How are Flexible Keyboards made?

Silicone keypads are made by a process called compression molding. Think of the compression molding tooling like a waffle iron, with metal top and bottom halves. Instead of two identical halves like the waffle iron, the bottom half has the product design cut into it, while the top has the reverse of the design to allow the silicone to fill in the empty space.

The machine operator places raw silicone material into each cavity of the tooling and closes the halves. The tooling is heated up to a specific temperature range so the silicone will become more viscous, flooding the open spaces.

Silicone Keypad Manufacturing Steps

The production team at RSP can determine the amount of material that is needed by reviewing the product design and leveraging their vast experience. With this knowledge, RSP can cost-effectively make your product without an unreasonable amount of wasted material.

The RSP engineering team also determines the amount of time the silicone tooling needs to be heated for the silicone to properly spread through the cavity. This is called a cycle time. Cycle times can range from two hundred to seven or eight hundred seconds, depending on the size of the silicone part. Once the cycle time is complete, the tooling opens and the technician operating the molding machine will remove the part from the tooling with compressed air to detach it. Learn more about these manufacturing steps and capabilities at our Touch Screen Manufacturing services page.

Custom Keypad Manufacturing

At this stage in production, there is a blank keypad without printed graphics. In some cases, where there is a printed overlay around the keypad or a touch screen type display with icons, printing isn’t required since the key is defined in other ways. However, most keypads have printed graphics. Graphics can be put on a silicone keypad in several ways including:

1. Printing – adding ink directly
2. Laser etching – selectively removing ink coating

Printing graphics on a keypad is often done by screen printing. The RSP production team would create a silk screen specifically designed for your product. The porous screen is blocked out around the desired image so that as ink is pushed across the screen, it only flows through where it is not blocked out so that the image is printed on the substrate. Whether it is a logo, text, shapes or other printed graphics, the screen only allows the ink to travel through it and onto the keypad in those specific locations.

Laser etching is another process for placing graphics onto a keypad, but there are several more steps. For example, you may want to have text printed in white on a black keypad. In this case, the silicone keypad would be molded in its natural semi-clear color. Then the production team would spray paint a coat of white followed by a coat of black across the entire surface. The laser-etching machine is then programmed to etch a certain depth into the keypad. In this example, this depth is the thickness of the black paint. The laser-etching machine would etch away the text, logo or other printed graphics, removing the black layer to show the white layer beneath. If using the semi-clear silicone, the image would be visible as white in normal use and could also be backlit for additional functionality.

If you are looking for a custom printed keypad, head over to our keypad manufacturing services page for more information.

REQUEST A QUOTE FOR SILICONE KEYPAD MANUFACTURING

RSP as Your Custom Silicone Keyboard Manufacturer

As you can see, there are many variables when it comes to designing flexible keyboards and keypads. RSP Inc. has vast experience making these products, and we are sure we can assist you no matter where you are in the process. Reach out to our team so we can assist you on your product development journey. If you are looking for a custom keyboard manufacturer, or silicone keypad manufacturing services, contact us today to learn more about these manufacturing services. We would be more than willing to answer any questions or concerns you may have about our custom plastic keyboards.

The post Flexible Rubber Keyboard: How are Bendable Keypads Made & Why Do We Use Them? appeared first on RSP Inc..