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 the designing the membrane switch that affect the tactile feel. When the metal dome is actuated in a Sensigraphics designed switch you have that crisp tactile feel that will benefit your products.  

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 backer is not firm enough. It is suggested that a very firm backer of some type of metal or ABS plastic backer is behind the membrane switch. For example if you actuate a dome on flexible backer the deflection compromises and absorbs the snap back force,  but when actuated on a metal or ABS plastic backer, there is little to no snap back force  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 12mm 340 gram dome. It’s about the size of the tip of the finger and the trip force combination that is not too soft and not too strong. There are two types of Snaptron standard square domes, the F-series and U-series. The F series is the standard dome and the U series has the ultra snap. The U-series is 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 adding multiple options for your membrane switch they will make your product stand out. However a drawback 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.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Sensigraphics with our best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012.