Presently, significant growth and changes are taking place in the user-interface market. One of the noticeable developments would be the rise of various backlighting available for switch membranes. Membrane switches are widely known for its backlights that range from different levels of brightness, transparency and colors. Thus, it is essential for engineers, product designers and…
Recently, Fast Company reported that an implant that can one day fix spinal cords and let people walk again. Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, have developed the e-Dura, which is said to be a “tiny, skin like device that attaches directly to damaged spinal cords”. Stephanie Lacour, a professor from…
Tolerance tables provided by the Rubber Manufacturer’s Association (RMA) come with ranges to illicit communication between the user and provider over a wide array of industries. It can be noted that precision tolerance can be achieved by utilizing the manufacturing process. In contrast, some mis-specified tolerances more often than not lead to irrelevant expenses. As…
A developing technology called three-dimensional printing or additive manufacturing is picking up speed in industries as it transforms computer-aided designs into realistic 3D objects. This technology has been used by various industries including the medical, aerospace and automotive ones. One of the key factors behind 3D printing is its ability to bring production closer…
Designing a “Less Complicated” Keypad One of the main complaints that consumers have with modern electronic devices is the complexity of their remote controls and keypads. While modern electronics might have more features than ever before, manufacturers have done a poor job in reducing complexity in remote control device. According to C-Net, the average home…
One of the main decisions that you will make when designing your keypad is how you want your keys to feel when they are pressed. Silicone keypads are extremely versatile and Silicone Dynamics can produce keypads ranging from extremely sensitive to extremely tactile. Reasoning and Analysis Actuation force is important for keypads, giving the user…
When you are producing a custom silicone keypad, pay careful attention to the way that your keys will be labeled or marked. Many keypad designs do not require marking, such as keypads that will be held in place by a (labeled) bezel of some kind. However, most keypads need some form of marking to identify…
In its most basic form, a silicone keypad is basically a “mask” that is placed over a series of switches in order to provide a more comfortable and tactile surface for users. There are a number of varieties of silicon keypads. Silicone Dynamics can produce keypads with far more advanced features than those listed below.…
From the perspective of a product designer, silicone keypads are the perfect balance between functionality and cost effectiveness. Silicone keypads have been used in millions of applications around the world, in everything from TV remote controls to the keypads on the international space station. Silicone keypads hold up to extreme temperatures and conditions when needed.…
If you have been involved in the engineering world, you know that the design of a product is a delicate balance between functionality and cost-efficiency. Engineers must answer to many departments. They must ensure that products are technically sound, but also that they can be mass-produced with some degree of profitability. Custom elastomeric keypads are…