Here at Customark, for some years now, we have been designing and manufacturing Capacitive Touch Keypads and we are finding it to be a developing market, this is due to them being an alternative to traditional interfaces like Membrane Keypads. The production of a flexible Capacitive Keypad is less complicated than a Membrane Keypad therefore the end result is more cost effective. They rely on detection of sensitivity in pressure rather than a simple open/closed membrane switch with a traditional keypad.
Tactile feedback is something you don’t get with a Capacitive Keypad alone. This is usually solved with an audible or haptic feedback device driven from the electronics themselves. We can also embed LED’s into the keypad shining through clear windows or ‘hidden til lit’ windows.
The applications are also varied, such as a simple cap circuit adhered to the back of a moulding, an example of this could be plastic fronted microwaves with touch sensitive areas or a more decorative front mounted application. As the thickness of the front graphic has little effect, this allows us to use 3mm acrylic with the circuit adhered to the underside making a robust decoratively appealing switch.
Here are some advantages to using Capacitive Touch Keypads:
- Increased durability due to no moving parts, this also reduces the number of components helping with cost
- There is no raised surfaces or button openings which helps with keeping them clean
- These interfaces can be incorporated into products that have curved surfaces
- Can be integrated into In-Mould Electronic applications
- Can be used with interactive toys, point of sale displays and many other things
Whichever way you go with your keypads, we have a very useful level of experience and we are happy to help with any questions you may have.
If you have any ideas or would like to chat things through, why not get in touch with Rob Bromley at Robert.bromley@customark.co.uk or 01249 822 010