Starting in 2013, the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the European Commission (CE), and other regulating bodies established new labeling requirements for medical devices. The goals were to increase patient safety, increase supply chain efficiencies, and improve the traceability of medication and medical devices. These regulations were phased in over time, with the first […]
One of the interesting things about our industry is that we manufacture in 2D, but our assemblies get built and installed in 3D. That’s why 3D modeling software has become such an important part of our membrane switch business, and I suspect it will become the standard for the industry going forward. There are several […]
At its most basic, a graphic overlay is the top layer of a user interface panel. But more importantly – and more meaningfully to engineers and brand owners – it is the interface between your customer and the machine. The graphic overlay literally creates the experience users have with your product. So, what kinds of […]
As you may know, products built for the military carry a range of unique and highly demanding design, production, and performance requirements. There is simply no room for error when it comes to these applications. That’s why the membrane switches and control interfaces for these products must also meet more stringent objectives. And these types […]
Membrane switches offer tremendous flexibility, allowing engineers to design and implement a very precise customer experience that can be refined to fit most any industry. Parameters they can consider include physical design, the graphic overlays, visual and tactile feedback, surface finishes, and application environments. This freedom is one of the reasons engineers spend so much […]
By Ken Boss I’ve come across many design engineers who underestimate the durability of membrane switches. They tend to prefer mechanical switches, most likely because mechanical switches can feel heavier and more physical than a typical membrane switch. But there are things we can do to make your membrane switch more durable. Much more durable, […]
By Ken Boss I’ve been in the business a long time, and I still get surprised by the misperceptions some people have about membrane switches. Of course, there is a lot to know about these specialized assemblies. But without the right understanding about what they can do and how well they can work, you […]
By Ken Boss It is common for folks to mishandle membrane switches, rendering them useless. Therefore, we put together a quick overview of what we think are the most common mistakes in handling them and how to extend the life of membrane switches. Our goal is to educate you so that your membrane switches […]
Let me start with how I define a graphic overlay. At its essence, it is a printed plastic material. First, we start with a clear material – typically a polycarbonate or polyester. Then we print on the backside (sub-surface). Finally, there’s an adhesive layer laminated over the sub-surface printing to affix it to the final finished […]
By Ken Boss With the flexibility, durability, and user-friendly functionality of membrane switches, I’ve seen them used in a huge variety of applications across a range of different industries, from precision medical devices to ruggedized outdoor machinery. There is just so much we can do today – unique materials, specialized circuitry, new adhesives. The list […]
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