Low cost membrane keypad prototypes?

[David L. Jones]

I'm after a place that can do low-ish cost membrane keypad prototypes and
small qty (100's).
Not actually membrane with the flex cable, but the simpler polydome (or
tact) variety that sticks directly onto the PCB.
I've been quoted $600+ for tooling locally, just wondering if there is
someplace cheaper?

Thanks
Dave.

 

[[email protected]]

I'm after a place that can do low-ish cost membrane keypad prototypes and
small qty (100's).
Not actually membrane with the flex cable, but the simpler polydome (or
tact) variety that sticks directly onto the PCB.
I've been quoted $600+ for tooling locally, just wondering if there is
someplace cheaper?

Thanks
Dave.

Hi Dave,

Have you tried Permark? They are usually very competitive on pricing.

Andy

 

[Robert Lacoste]

I'm after a place that can do low-ish cost membrane keypad prototypes and
small qty (100's).
Not actually membrane with the flex cable, but the simpler polydome (or
tact) variety that sticks directly onto the PCB.
I've been quoted $600+ for tooling locally, just wondering if there is
someplace cheaper?

600$ seems already a good pricing. Alternatively capacitive sensing can be a
zero-tooling solution, as it could allow to design your keyboard as a simple
PCB and overlay it with any kind of decorative layer (laser-printed, etc).
See solutions from Cypress (capsense), Microchip and others.

Friendly yours,
Robert Lacoste
www.alciom.com

 

[David L. Jones]

600$ seems already a good pricing. Alternatively capacitive sensing can be
a zero-tooling solution, as it could allow to design your keyboard as a
simple PCB and overlay it with any kind of decorative layer
(laser-printed, etc). See solutions from Cypress (capsense), Microchip and
others.

Thanks.
Yes, I was already considering the Atmel Qtouch, but the keys are densely
packed (6mm spacing) so although it might work, I suspect there might be
quite some development to perfect it, and then there is the possibility of
some people having issues with it.
Anyone have any experience with touch technology at that spacing?

Thanks
Dave.

 

[Nutz]

I'm after a place that can do low-ish cost membrane keypad prototypes and
small qty (100's).
Not actually membrane with the flex cable, but the simpler polydome (or
tact) variety that sticks directly onto the PCB.
I've been quoted $600+ for tooling locally, just wondering if there is
someplace cheaper?

Thanks
Dave.

I've used Entech a lot in the past. Quality has always been good. Pricewise
they seem to be in the middle.

http://www.entechelectronics.com.au/

 

[Robert Lacoste]

Thanks.
Yes, I was already considering the Atmel Qtouch, but the keys are densely
packed (6mm spacing) so although it might work, I suspect there might be
quite some development to perfect it, and then there is the possibility of
some people having issues with it.
Anyone have any experience with touch technology at that spacing?

6mm spacing will definitevely be challenging...

 

[linnix]

Would it be possible to sandwich some 0.6mm FR4 with holes punched in
it over the PCB board contacts and then another layer of 0.6mm FR4 or
mylar with thin carbon rubber dots glued to it. Then it would be a
matter of getting the top layer screen printed with the characters of
the buttons or the copper layer etched and plated with the numerals.

Why would this be better than a plastic top cover with conductive
pads? PCB toolings would not be much cheaper than printed plastic
covers.

 

[Rich Grise]

I'm after a place that can do low-ish cost membrane keypad prototypes and
small qty (100's).
Not actually membrane with the flex cable, but the simpler polydome (or
tact) variety that sticks directly onto the PCB. I've been quoted $600+
for tooling locally, just wondering if there is someplace cheaper?

You could just put individual tact switches on the PCB; it'd be quite
labor-intensive until you go to pick&place.

Cheers!
Rich

 

[Rich Grise]

Thanks.
Yes, I was already considering the Atmel Qtouch, but the keys are densely
packed (6mm spacing) so although it might work, I suspect there might be
quite some development to perfect it, and then there is the possibility of
some people having issues with it.
Anyone have any experience with touch technology at that spacing?

6 mm from key to key? Isn't that, like, 1/4"? I know of people whose
fingertips are bigger than that.

Good Luck!
Rich

 

[David L. Jones]

6 mm from key to key? Isn't that, like, 1/4"?
Yep!

I know of people whose fingertips are bigger than that.

Yep!

But in the case of my project such a spacing is a necessity.

Dave.

 

[David L. Jones]

You could just put individual tact switches on the PCB; it'd be quite
labor-intensive until you go to pick&place.

Yeah, thought of that, but then I need the graphic overlay anyway, as I
don't really have space above the keys on the PCB silkscreen.

Dave.

 

[David L. Jones]

Thanks for the manufactuer links everyone, will check them out.

Regards
Dave.

 

[linnix]

Dave's talking about a complete custom membrane keypad for very small
quantities, doing it all as pcbs will save the 600 buck tooling cost.

You can print flat plastic cover at very low cost. Tooling is
necessary only if you make doomed contact area. PCB (FR-4) is too
rigid for doomed contacts and can not be printed with color. FR-4 is
generally more expensive than plastic. I would use as small as
possible FR-4 between bigger plastic cover and base.

 

[Rich Grise]

Yeah, thought of that, but then I need the graphic overlay anyway, as I
don't really have space above the keys on the PCB silkscreen.

A graphic overlay is almost trivial - a piece of plastic and a silk-screen.

Cheers!
Rich