Leveraging Custom Silicone Rubber Keypads
Within electronics and industrial control interfaces, intuitive graphical input devices streamline human-machine interactions. Silicone rubber substrates supporting customizable keycap designs earn widespread adoption through scratch, chemical and temperature resistance. Combined with molding flexibility, specifiers fashion unique ergonomic solutions tailored for any application environment.
Materials and Molding Process
Premium custom silicone rubber keypad compounds withstand demanding conditions through:
- Temperature tolerance from -40°C to over 200°C without cracking or melting.
- Resistance to UV, ozone, salts and many harsh chemicals industry leverages.
- Low compression set sustaining tactile feedback over decades of continuous use.
Molding fabrication involves:
- CNC machining stainless molds with intricate keycap contours and underside legends.
- Liquid injection molding curable silicone compounds into hardened rubber substrates.
- Post-curing vulcanizes material while fusing durable graphics like logos or labeling.
Customization Options
Specialty manufacturers adapt silicone keypads permitting:
- Bespoke Keycap Shapes: Optimized finger placement ergonomics addressing workflows.
- Multi-Color Graphics: Color-matched legends and radian-durable inks for vibrant visual cues.
- Touch/Pressure Sensors: Embedding sensor matrices within keys for advanced controls.
- Security Features: Implementing fingerprint or code readers within individual keys.
- Sealing/Vents: Ingress Protection achievable through gasketing, venting or conformal coating.
Keypad Design
Layouts leverage silicone's molding malleability creating:
- Numeric Pads: Standard ten-key calculators or specialized numeric control interfaces.
- Function Keys: Large membrane switches for HVAC, manufacturing or building controls.
- Keyboards: Full QWERTY and shortcuts for ruggedized mobile devices, point-of-sale etc.
- Specialty Controls: Sensory sliders, rotary dials or unique multi-functional pads.
