What is a membrane switch?

What is a membrane switch?

A membrane switch is a versatile component that combines switch keys, panel function text, marks, trademarks, transparent windows, and display windows. It is designed as a multi-layer, overall seal structure, offering various benefits such as friction resistance, waterproofing, dustproofing, protection against harmful gases, long service life, and stable performance.

Thin film switches have found extensive applications in intelligent electronic measuring instruments, medical instruments, computer control systems, CNC machine tools, electronic scales, post and telecommunications devices, copiers, refrigerators, microwave ovens, electric fans, washing machines, video game consoles, and other industrial and household electrical products.

Membrane switch: What are the uses of membrane switchMembrane switch: What are the characteristics of the metal shrapnel type membrane switch? Film Switch: What is the film switch, film switch use, film switch has been widely used in electronic communications, electronic measurement instruments, industrial control, medical equipment, automotive industry, intelligent toys, household appliances and other fields. Thin film switch: Thin Film switch is how to do, thin film switch also known as light touch keyboard, the use of plane multi-layer combination of the overall sealing structure. It is a new electronic component which can seal the key switch, the panel, the mark, the symbol display and the lining board together. The utility model has the advantages of good water-proof, dust-proof, oil-proof, erosion-proof by harmful gases, stable and reliable performance, light weight, small volume, long service life, washable panel, no damage to characters, rich and beautiful color, etc. . The membrane switch is mainly composed of the mask layer, the circuit layer and the isolation layer. The line layer is divided into upper line layer and lower line layer. The upper circuit layer and the lower circuit layer are printed on a non-conductive film (PET) with conductive silver or carbon paste and non-conductive insulating ink. Isolation layer is plastic layer, the middle for the different thickness of the material plus double-sided back glue, mainly play up and down the line of isolation and bonding. When the contacts of the upper circuit layer are squeezed, the contacts of the upper and lower circuit layers are connected, and the circuit is opened to form a path, thus playing the role of a switch.

LuPhiTech,a professional OEM manufacturer of user interface subassembly products.LuPhiTech is located in south of China in Dongguan,and since 2008 the core of its business is manufacturing an export of membrane switches & keypads, capacitive switches, silicone Rubbert keypads, graphic overlays, and touchscreen panels. Besides,they also offer mechanical design and PCBA development, as well as development of single-chip solutions, keypad backlighting, and turnkey assembly. 

The production of high-tech interface products requires clean and well functioning operations.let’s get to know that how LuPhi complies with industry requirements.

The factory has many strengths-we use high quality imported raw materials and have a skillful team of workers,as well as modern production and testing equipment,our facility is certified with ISO 9001,medical ISO13485,environmental ISO14001,health and safety ISO45001, and the production areas are equipped with 10000 and 1000 class cleanrooms.our products obtain main quality certificates for major markets, such as Europe,North America and Australia.

let’s go to the workshops to see how the products are made！

Design: First，the product concept takes shape in the R&D department，where LuPhi’s engineers design and create initial samples.

before mass production,their PP samples will undergo various function and environmental testing, such as button actuation life testing,high-low temperature constant temperature,and humidity testing,as well as salt-spray & waterproof testing,ink adhesion force testing,click ratio test, and many others.

01 KEY PROCESS OF PRODUCTION

Once the pre-production samples pass all necessary testing and materials arrive at the factory,production begins.LuPhi uses high-quality imported materials, such as 3M adhesive,Autotex polyester,nikomatic connectors, and many other components.

Material Cutting:

The first step of production starts from raw material cutting- where overlay films,circuit films and adhesive layers are cut by automatic cutting machines with high accuracy.

After that,the cut materials are transferred to a silk screen printing workshop,where first the ink is prepared to match the exact color requirements of the customer, and silkscreens are created for printing.

Silkscreen Printing:

Then films and screens are moved to automatic and semi-automatic silk screen printing machines.

Drying:

Following the printing,semi-finished products,are further passed to a baking treatment in a 12-meter drying tunnel until the ink is completely dried and cured, LuPhi also has 4 drying ovens to increase efficiency at this step.

Embossing:

For many membrane switches with embossed buttons，the printed graphic overlays also undergo embossing in semi-automatic embossing machines.

Assembly:

In the end, all layers of the final products, such as graphic layers, adhesive layers, circuit layers and others are assembled and laminated together, creating the about-to-be final membrane switch.

Punching:

After assembly,products are passed to auto die cutting&high accuracy cutting machines to cut out the membrane switch panels and form the final product shape.

FQC:

At each production step,products are fully inspected with 100% appearance and function check, to ensure that every product received by customers is qualified.

Our QC inspectors check the dimensions, printings, workmanship and electrical functions, which undergo testing twice after the circuit is printed and assembly is finished.

Packing: Once products pass the inspection, they’ll be cleaned, packed into inner and expert packaging, and shipped to customers all over the world.

02  COMPANY DEVELOPMENT

With our team, about our history and recent achievements:Luphi was established in 2008 for production of human interface products. to support customers from various industries, including automotive, industrial,medical&healthcare industry, household appliances, and others. 

over the past year, we achieve a 40% increase in sales through the concerted efforts of the whole team.At the same time, we have straightened the corporate culture, further improve employee satisfaction and happiness index,enhance team cohesion,and laid a solid foundation for the future performance growth.

How are we planning to support the strong demand at the market, in the next couple of years?To support the market demand in customer’s needs,in the next 5 to 10 years,we will increase investment into research and development, and will develop user interface modules for a variety of coffee machines, mixers, vending machines,juicers and other small household appliances.

At the same time,we will continue to strengthen the development and customization ability in high-end application fields,and achieve standardization in middle and low-end needs and customization of high-end needs.

03FACTORY AUDIT, SUMMARY

Now, end of tour to LuPhiTech, These have several advantages of the factory-our facility follows : ISO9001, medical ISO13485,environmental ISO14001, health & safety ISO 45001, and production areas are equipped with 10000 class and 1000 class cleanrooms, that guarantees a clean environment for manufacturing. 

Moreover, LuPhiTech uses high-quality imported raw materials and can support the production of quality membrane switches and touchscreen panels in variety of sizes,designs,and functions.Besides that LuPhiTech have a mature quality control system for monitoring in-line and final product quality, with various appearance and function testing.