Custom Keyboards and Input Devices - INDUKEY - #7

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54 Silicone Keypads Technologies www.custom.indukey.com InduKey® Keyboard Production GmbH & Co. KG The technology at a glance Compared to other keyboard technologies silicone keypads offer price advantages particularly in mass production. They are durable and reliable, and almost unlimited design options are possible. The colour and shape of the key caps can be defined freely. Silicone keypads are made of highly elastic and toxin free silicone rubber. The keypads are produced by shaping kneadable base materials at a defined temperature and pressure. Each pad type requires a special tool. In most cases, there is one conductive carbon pill per key on the bottom side. Usually, the lower contact part is based on meander-shaped conductor tracks on foil or PCB. Application fields • Medical applications (antimicrobial design / fluorine-silicone) • Remote controls for TV sets and control systems • Measuring instruments (e.g. oscilloscopes) • Phone pads in mobile and standard phones • Communication systems of all kinds • Information terminals Important technological advantages • Good tactile feel of the single keys • An intelligent contact design ensures safe contact making on the PCB • Silicone can be provided with a coating • Optionally available with plastic caps • Suitable, customized housing available • Unlimited design options • Several colour combinations in one keyboard • Designs with light function available • Good chemical resistance • Dirt and water proof • Very well-priced keyboard in series production Tools for silicone keypads The tools for producing silicone keypads are made of a special alloy. They are manufactured with highly precise CNC milling and eroding machines. During one production cycle several silicone keypads can be manufactured simultaneously by using one mould. Thus, already during the manufacture of the tools, the focus is placed on the optimization of the production. Construction 1 Carbon contacts 2 Stiffening clip 3 Silicone mat i