Technical article: Entering the third dimension - three-dimensional design of silicone keyboards
Item no. 1863
Description
| Introduction | |
| We encounter silicone keyboards or devices with silicone keys in our daily lives. Whether it's a telephone or a remote control, everyone presses a silicone key almost every day. Thanks to the high degree of protection up to IP68, these keyboards are also used in measuring devices, industrial control systems, public terminals, medical devices and other operating units every day. Best tactility and chemical resistance characterise this keyboard technology. However, the effort required to manufacture silicone keyboards is not to be sneezed at. However, these rubber keyboards offer many advantages for the customer due to the possibility of three-dimensional design. | |
| Foil versus rubber | |
| Mobile applications often prefer the technology of a membrane keypad because of its lighter weight. However, as foils are usually flat, the application of this technology is mainly limited to two-dimensional objects such as front panels. If, on the other hand, one wants to free oneself from the two-dimensional restriction of foil keyboards, the technology of silicone rubber keyboards comes into play. In terms of design, this is a move back towards long-stroke keyboards. | |
| Dust and waterproof | |
| The rubber key technology provides immensely more design possibilities in the third dimenson. With these dustproof and waterproof key mats, a strong emphasis on three-dimensionality can be achieved. There are virtually no limits to design ambitions in terms of shape, colour and layout. However, practically nothing can be done in production without tools. However, due to the not too high pressure in the mould - the production of silicone keyboards is more comparable to wafer baking than plastic injection - these are relatively inexpensive and amount to only about one eighth to one fifth of the costs of an injection mould for a comparably sized object. The closed surface of the rubber keypads makes it relatively easy to keep devices clean and sealed. By completely moulding the keyboard base body with silicone compound, the often mechanically very critical individual key bushings through the housing can be dispensed with. For the installation of the keyboard, only an easily manageable, complete breakthrough is to be provided. | |
| Backlit mats | |
| The silicone keypads can be customised with any colour and inscription. Transparent silicone rubber material allows selective colour illumination and complete night design, as known from mobile phones. The various basic colours of the keys in a mat are created from transparent base silicone by mixing in appropriate colour pigments. To make a positive (white on black) backlit silicone switch mat, a transparent base silicone is also used first, which becomes milky when compacted and hardened. After completion, a white colour is applied to the button heads and baked on. Then the whole silicone mat is sprayed completely black. Using a laser plotter, the luminous elements such as letters or other symbols are burnt away. The white colour thus reappears. This ensures optimal contrast. For negative backlit silicone mats, i.e. black on white, the mat remains in the transparent design. It is then negatively inscribed with the finest, filigree symbols using a laser, so that only the lettering is illuminated when the desired backlighting is provided. Both technologies also allow the smallest, most compact key arrangements - for example for miniature keyboards for the occasional entry of setting parameters on machines and measuring devices. | |
| Good input feeling | |
| In addition to the almost arbitrary moulding, the keys can be covered with hard plastic caps, creating a feel similar to the plastic caps of long-travel keys. However, silicone keyboards are not nearly as mechanically robust as membrane keyboards. It is true that - if gold-plated contact surfaces are chosen for the usually used conductive rubber contact - they are electrically durable and very reliable. However, the rubber bellows responsible for the mobility, reset and pressure point on the individual rubber keys is sensitive to exceptional, mechanical stress that goes beyond the normal actuation of the keys. Therefore, unprotected use, e.g. when used in unsupervised, public areas (at risk of vandalism), is not recommended. | |
| Steel armour against vandalism | |
| If one wants to use the good properties of the silicone keyboard technology, which lie in the dynamics of the key element, although one has to reckon with vandalism, the rubber mat is reinforced with a steel armour. The rubber mat, which can be produced inexpensively, then fulfils sealing and sensory functions. For large series, a full-lift keyboard designed in this way can fulfil its many tasks inexpensively and safely. |
You might also be interested in
Professional article: Keyboard instead of touchscreen?
Author: Dipl.-Physiker Gert Breidenbach
Details →
Pharmaceutical trade journal PROCESS reports: Stainless steel control cabinet for hygienic areas
PharmaTEC trade article - Tailor-made control cabinet for high hygiene requirements
Details →
Production of Rubber Key Pads
We offer custom solution silicon rubber mates at low costs and best quality.
Details →
Technical article: Customized input devices - Customized membrane keyboards
Published in Elektronik Praxis
Details →
Technical article: Keyboard technologies. A comparison.
Typical applications of key keyboard technologies.
Details →
Technical article: Resistive touch sensors on the rise. The Renaissance of Handle Input.
Publication in the journal elektro Automation.
Details →
Technical article: Entering the third dimension - three-dimensional design of silicone keyboards
Published in elektronik Journal
Details →
Press article: Designing keyboards (membrane keyboards, silicone keyboards, foil covered)
Press release in elektronik Journal
Details →
Press release: Sterilely and clean - Keyboards for the Food Industry
Published in Elektronik Praxis Special Edition
Details →
Specialist article: Electroluminescent lighting - How do you make your keyboard glow?
Published in Management & Krankenhaus
Details →
Technical article: Customization off the shelf - Manufacturing of customized PC long-travel keyboards
Published in Elektronik Praxis
Details →
May 2002 - Always the right choice! Rugged keyboards for demanding applications
Published in elektro Automation 8/2012
Details →
Technical article: PC keyboard controller freely programmable via teach-in
Published in Elektronik Praxis
Details →