Silicone Dynamics, Inc. located in Bend, Oregon USA is one of the leading manufacturers of Custom Molded Rubber Keypads and Parts.  Our competitive advantage allows us to produce low cost prototype runs of your Custom Molded Rubber Keypads all the way up to full production runs of Custom Molded Rubber Keypads and parts.

Custom Molded Rubber Keypad

Contact us today for a free sample silicone rubber keypads to evaluate our quality.  Then give us the privilege of providing you a Free Custom Molded Rubber Keypad Quote for your custom molded rubber keypads and parts.

Electrode Contact surface/design on a printed circuit board that conducts current when rubber switch is actuated and switch closure occurs.

Key Height The measured distance from the bottom of a keypad (base) to the top surface of a key. Expressed in 1/100 mm.

Legend Some type of printed graphic (symbol, number or letter) on the top of the key surface.

Life The number of switch actuations realised before the switch membrane ruptures or over stresses.

Membrane The non-conductive hinge that permits a rubber key to flex, and is responsible for the tactile feel realised.

Negative-Image Graphics Graphics that allow switch colour or switch masking colour to be seen through top-surface printing on keypad.

Overstroke Additional travel experienced with a rubber switch after initial switch closure has been realised. Rubber switches with overstroke require a double-cone or doublebell shaped membrane.

Positive Image Graphics Single or multi-color printing on top of key surface.

Return Force Force created by switch membrane as it returns the key to a nonactuated position.

Reversed-Out Graphics Graphics that allow rubber color or masking color to be seen through top surface printing on keypad.

Shore A The Durometer Shore A is designed to measure the penetration hardness of rubber, elastomers and other rubber like substances such as neoprene, silicone, and vinyl. It can also be used for soft plastics, felt, leather and similar materials.

Snap Ratio Represents the difference between the actuation force and the contact force of a switch divided by the actuation force.

Stroke Distance from the contact surface on a rubber switch to an electrode pattern on a printed circuit board.

Tactile Feel The response of rubber while depressing. For tactile rubber keypads, it is a critical function of the diaphragm web geometry.

Tear Strength The tear strength is a measure of the resistance of rubber to tear forces. The tear strength is calculated by dividing the maximum force load by the thickness of the rubber.

Wear or abrasion resistance The resistance of a particular ink or coating to manual wearing. The testing process is usually a Norman tester with the number of cycles legends can perform before wear is noticeable.

Rubber switch actuation force The force required to collapse the membrane of a rubber switch.

Rubber keypad air Channel Air paths on the bottom of rubber keypads and switches that
allows for air passage (venting) when switch is actuated. Switches must be vented on at least two sides.

Silicone rubber keypad alignment Hole Through hole in rubber keypad that is used to position keypad in enclosure when overall keypad size exceeds three inches in either length or width.

Base Silicone sheet material that joins all keys/switches on a rubber keypad. It is also known as apron.

Bezel The faceplate or cover, typically either plastic or metal, used to secure a keypad to a  (more…)