Silicone Rubber Keypad – The Key To Working of Many Electronic Gadgets

Probably every time you use your mobile phone handset and press the buttons on it or even a remote control to switch the channel, you are using a Silicone Rubber Keypad. The compression property of silicone rubber makes it an ideal material for making the keypads where the buttons are placed above the PCB, and the corresponding signals are sent to the operation it is meant for. While making the silicone rubber pads for a particular application, if the keypad buttons are required in different colors, then a suitable pigment is added in the rubber mix. So this is how you see keypad buttons of different colors on your TV remote or other similar applications. Other applications of silicone keypads include electronic toys buttons on game consoles and even lift buttons. Virtually every electronic circuit that is used in operating a gadget through the soft rubberised buttons on top will depend on a rubber keypad to operate the gadget.

Design and Process

The process of designing and manufacturing the keypads allows for an integrated keypad with several buttons and print the legends on them as is obvious from the gadgets you might have already used in your day to day life. The material and the designs allow for customisation to suit the gadget; the keypad is being designed for. Many times, the technology involves for illumination of the keypad from below by use of LEDs placed on the printed circuit boards below. Laser printing technology is used to ensure the printed legends on the keypads last long even after frequent use of the buttons.

Usage and Applications

The design of silicone rubber keypads also involve options for use of coating technology for imparting longer life and durability. Where there are industrial applications involved, the material and keypads have to be provided with protection from being affected by chemicals or other environmental factors, which can cause damage. Special applications will require the liquid injection molding process to be used. It is possible to use a combination of silicone rubber for the key buttons and fit plastic caps for the keys for appearance purposes. Among the types of keypads offered, by the designers and manufacturers, include metal pads, which offer even more strength to the keypad. A good manufacturer will custom design the keypads for your specific applications. So first know your requirements; search for a reliable manufacturer of keypads for similar applications and assess their capabilities by studying their work already done for others. Make an assessment of the machinery and technology they possess and then only place your order.

Author represents this article on behalf of RSP Inc. RSP Inc. provides wide varieties of Silicone Keypad, Membrane Switch, Custom Membrane Switches, PCB Switches. For more details, please log on to www.rspinc.com