Membrane Switch Panels
Membrane switch panels are composed of the switch and the metal back panel in membrane switch design. They are full function panels for monitoring and controlling the machine's process and system controls. This includes the inputs, outputs and interfaces. The electronics, medical equipment and automotive industries use membrane switch panels in products like remote controls, phones (cellular and land line), control boards for home appliances like ovens and microwaves, and security systems. Besides the membrane and back panel, membrane switch panels are also composed of a graphic overlay, which is silk screen or digitally printed, and keypads, which are often made of rubber silicone.
The membrane switch panel's layered design is always assembled and then tested for quality. The back panel is often made of aluminum and might contain studs, holes and standoffs. The aluminum can be bare metal, anodyned, painted or anodized. The graphic overlay is manufactured from either polycarbonate or polyester and can have a glossy, matte or textured finish with multiple color and etching options. Each button is often tactile. This is because of a small metal or plastic dome placed between the membrane and graphic overlay that helps to alert the typer that their key stroke has been registered. Depending on the materials and construction, membrane switch panels are able to last anywhere from three to ten million cycles of use, which is at least the life of the electric machine it controls.