MOBILE DATA
Check out the new pad
By Bob Platts Tech Ing (CEI), M.D. Keytech Systems Ltd
I
first got involved in silicone elastomer (rubber) keypads some thirty years ago.
This technology was in its infancy; in fact I introduced the first silicone rubber keypads into the UK from a company in Switzerland called MaagTechnic.
BT was our first customer via their sub-contractors Plessy, TMC, GEC and STC.
The inventors of this technology were two Japanese companies, Shin Etsu and Sunarrow. I visited their factories to study the compression moulding process and production methods.
I started my new company Keytech Systems Ltd just over ten years ago. I felt that after thirty years, the design of keypads was in a bit of a rut.
Silicone rubber keypads were still being mounted on to a PCB with the keys/buttons protruding through holes in plastic case mouldings.
This, it seemed to me, restricted the interface design potential of the end product. Plus, if you needed a good IP rating, membrane was your only choice.
A great deal of research was carried out, both with my designers and those of the top UK design consultants I had
dealt with over the years, and we came up with a completely new idea.
Instead of hiding the keypad under a plastic moulding, why not mould the total product interface in silicone elastomer, creating a curved, shaped, 3D, aesthetically-pleasing look that could be sealed up to IP 69.
We called this design idea KeyFlex and today we are designing, manufacturing and supplying this type of keypad into every type of product, from simple single key units to very, very, large command and control keypads for military applications.
“With customers worldwide, including in China, we feel we have taken keypad design to a new level.”
With customers worldwide, including in China, we feel we have taken keypad design to a new level.
Switching and tactile feedback can be effected by either metal/ poly dome mounted into an integral membrane/flexi PCB or via carbon contacts below each key. By a process of over- spraying translucent rubber and laser-etching out legends/logos, back-lighting via LEDs can be achieved.
The surface finish can be enhanced by our KeyCoat coating or KeyEpox on the key tops.
KeyFlex is a 21st century solution for good interface design. If you have a new product in mind it deserves no less.
rail technology magazine Dec/Jan 11 | 33
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