Flexible Membrane Switches

Flexible membrane switch is one of the common human-machine interface products. We offer a variety of product categories and options for appliance, industrial and medical applications. Whether your application requires the use of pressure-touch, pressure-free touch, silicone, hard-coated, flexible or rigid PCBs, Smartart can provide solutions through our extensive in-house manufacturing capabilities. We are able to provide a full range of options and customizations to meet the customer’s desired functionality, appearance, and more.

Membrane switch design options

 Cover Sheet Materials – We offer a variety of substrates such as PET, PC, PVC, ceramic, silicone, and more.

Touch – Membrane switches can be designed as pressure touch or non-pressure touch.

Graphic Design – We can provide a variety of textures, UV coatings and graphic design options, including 2-10 color designs and full image designs.

Finish Options – We can offer soft touch, embossed and other types of finishes.

Connection method

Cover material

Coating / Decoration

Additional options

Pin connection

PC

Screen printing

LED/EL backlight

USB

PVC

Transparent or translucent windows

Polyester fiber, PC, PET, PVC, silicone substrate

FPC

FPC

UV hard coating surface treatment

EMI interference resistance

PET

Selective texture

Plastic and metal tactile domes/switches

Graphic overlay

Spacer and seal combination

backplane

Product overview

Parameter

Options & Notes

Size

As per customer requirements

Structure / Construction

Flat / Embedded Switching / Raised Switching / Overlays

Integration

Waterproof and dustproof gaskets available

How Are Membrane Switches Constructed ?

Membrane switches are essentially a sandwich of thin layers that are bonded together using pressure sensitive adhesives. Depending on the application requirements, a membrane switch will consist of as few as 4, and as many as 9 layers. In contrast to mechanical switches, membrane switches offer the advantage of lower cost, they consume less design space with their low profile, are easy to clean, and they offer a sleeker, ergonomic, and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
The visible top layer of a membrane switch is the graphic overlay, with printed circuitry underneath the overlay. The circuitry can also incorporate different layers such as polyester (silver flex), polyimide (copper flex), and rigid PCB layers. Activation of a switch occurs when a printed shorting pad or metal dome makes contact with the bottom circuit layer thus, closing the circuit.