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RDS Technology Ltd
This UK based company involved in the design and production of agricultural spray equipment were looking for a attractive sealed interface for their new up market product, but rejected the standard membrane approach for something more three dimensional.
We designed a KeyFlex silicone elastomer interface in two parts with a 6 key and 16 key keypad. We decided to employ a conventional carbon dipped contacts applied to contact columns beneath each of the 22 key moulded buttons/switch positions.
Tactile effect was supplied by the elastomer actuator skirt (200 g 1.3 travel). As the PCB was positioned some distance away from the front case surface (25 mm) guidance tubes were included in the front case moulding. Each key was back lit by a SM LED mounted on the PCB under each contact column.
The printed legend colours white, blue, red, yellow, green were applied, over-sprayed with black and then laser etched out to reveal the coloured, back lit legends/text. All the keys were then coated with our KeyEpox epoxy coating. The 6 key keypad has an integral hinged flap to cover the computer access and a hidden back-lit legend.