3 ways to improve the tactile feel of your membrane switch

If you knew that a certain type of minor change in your product could benefit your customers, improve the touch and feel, and help strengthen user feedback in the field, wouldn’t you want to get started?

Well, it has been proven that tactile feel and feedback can do all of that and more. Tactile response is not just about placing a dome in the membrane layers and getting a snap. There are different ways of designing the way the dome is actuated that can benefit products of all kinds and may be particularly important for products with multiple options issues or lack of tactile response.

1- What is behind the membrane switch?

Before we even get into the membrane switch, I always ask a customer what is behind the membrane switch? This helps determine if the force behind the dome being actuated is a strong contact point for the snap back of the dome. Whether you are using a metal or polyester dome, you begin to lose a large percentage of your tactile response when the backing force is not firm enough. It is suggested that some type of metal backing is to be behind the membrane switch. For example if you actuate a dome on flexible keypad the flex compromises and absorbs the force snap back, but when actuated on a metal backing there is little to no force snap back being absorbed. “One of the best ways to improve tactile response in a membrane switch is to add strength to the backing of the domes,” advises Bill Morris, Vice President and Chief Engineer of Sensigraphics.

2- What kind of Dome to use?

Domes have their own unique strengths and differences. Most of these differences have to do with the actuated tactile feel of the dome. The best size to use in most cases is a square dome at about 12mm 340 grams. Its about the size of the tip of the finger and has a trip force combination that is not too soft and not too strong. There are two types of standard dome series the F-series and U-series. The F series is the standard dome and the U series has the ultra snap. The U-series are ideal for anyone who wants a little bit more actuation response than the standard F-series. The domes can be seen at http://www.snaptron.com/domesdomesstanuserzxqL3157.cfm.

3- How many layers are between the dome and the force?

When you begin added multiple options for your membrane switch they can really make your product stand out. However a draw back to this is adding multiple layers and receiving a lower tactile ratio. The risk of the dome being actuated by indirect pressure is also increased. To solve the problem of maintaining your membrane options without sacrificing tactile feedback, a thin polyester or polycarbonate layer can be added with a small-debossed bump directly above the middle of the dome. This extra expense is worth the peace of mind.

Make sure to check out our website at: http://www.sensigraphics.com