Custom OEM Silicone Rubber Keypad for Electronic Products
Silicone Keypads Overview
Silicone keypads, also known as rubber keypads, rubber keyboards, silicone keyboards, or elastomer keyboards, are crafted from elastic, translucent silicone rubber using rubber compression molding tools. These keypads are extensively used across various industries, including industrial electronics, medical devices, machinery, and consumer products, due to their reliable switch performance. Key structural elements include the silicone key web, key pad, key top, and conductive zones.
Designing and Manufacturing Silicone Keypad Molds
Creating silicone keypad molds requires careful consideration of several factors beyond the basic keypad structure, such as actuation force, key travel, and conductivity. Surface requirements also play a significant role, including color spray coating, material selection, and hardness variations.
Keypad Performance Considerations
While actuation force is a crucial aspect, it is essential not to overlook the overall performance of the silicone rubber keypad. Factors such as the uniformity of the keypad web, the impact of color coating, key cover effects, and the integration of the keypad with the device must also be taken into account to ensure optimal functionality and user experience.
Methods for Processing Backlit Silicone Keypads
Laser Etched Silicone Keypad Process
Begin by applying ink in the desired legend color. Next, spray coat the silicone rubber keypad surface. Finally, use laser etching machines to create precise legends.
Note:The legend color must contrast sharply with the spray coating. For instance, if the legends are translucent, a gray spray coating would provide the necessary contrast.
Translucent Silicone Backlit Keypad
Translucent silicone backlit keypads utilize the inherent translucency of high-quality silicone materials. The transparency varies with different silicone grades, with superior materials offering greater clarity. The original liquid silicone is nearly transparent, enhancing the backlighting effect.
Silk Screen Translucent Silicone Backlit Keypad
The silk screen translucent silicone backlit keypad typically involves several steps to achieve optimal backlight effects. Unlike standard processes, this method does not require a spray coating before printing fonts or symbols on the surface. Additionally, it may skip the PU or UV+PU coating processes to enhance the backlit legends’ visibility and clarity.
Key Differences in Light Source
It’s important to note that the light source for a plastic backlit keyboard differs significantly from the backlight used behind an LCD screen.
Types of Translucent Backlit Silicone Keypads
There are two main types of translucent backlit silicone keypads:
- High Transparency Keypads: These keypads achieve enhanced transparency by using a cover tool to protect the translucent parts during the production process. After protection, two layers of spray coating are applied to ensure durability and maintain the clarity of the translucent sections.
- Mixed Color Translucent Silicone Backlit Keypad.The second type is less transparent and utilizes a mixed color process. This method involves blending colors to achieve the desired level of translucency, ensuring that the backlit legends and symbols are visible while maintaining a consistent appearance.
Silicone Rubber Keypads
- Silk Screen Silicone Keypad
- Laser Etched Silicone Keypad
- Epoxy Coating Silicone Keypad
- P+R Keypad
- Double Color Silicone Keypad
- Backlight Silicone Keypad
- Fluorescent Silicone Keypad
- Conductive Printing Silicone Keypad
- M+R Keypad
Request for Quick Quotation
To expedite your quotation process, please provide the following details:
- Design Requirements:
– 2D, 3D design drawings (PDF, CAD, STEP, IGES, SLDPRT) or physical samples.
- Color and Legend Information:
– Specify the number of legends and silicone colors required, and indicate if silicone light guides are needed.
- Carbon Pills:
– Specify whether carbon pills are required or not.
- Surface Finish Preferences:
– Details on keypad surface requirements such as Laser Etched, Silkscreen, Spray Coating, UV Coating, etc.
- Quantity:
– Specify the quantities needed for accurate quoting.
