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Click on a technology name below to display a sample.
MEMBRANE
SWITCHES
A membrane touch switch is a self-contained
printed keyboard which offers low cost & high reliability. The
ease of custom design and thin, flexible resulting component enable
compact assembly & combined function. As it is perfectly sealed, these
water-proof keyboards can be used in any working conditions. (offered by
our parent company Elite Sales &Technology)
ULTRA-THIN KEYPADS
In order to meet the demand for increasingly
thin keypads, Top Bound has developed several techniques for manufacturing
ultra-thin keypads.
The first technique utilizes a process called In-Mold Decoration (IMD).
Graphics are applied to the back of the IMD film, which is in turn formed
into the required shape for the keypad. The IMD film can be backed by
either silicone or injection molded actuation posts.
The second method incorporates thin plastic hardcap keys on either a thin
film or silicone base. Base material thicknesses can be as low as 0.25mm
for silicone.
A third option is to combine methods to obtain a look and feel that best
fits your application.
Top Bound has extensive experience in ultra-thin keypads. Some keypads we
produce are less than 1.5mm including the actuation posts. Even thinner
dimensions can be produced to meet customer requirements. Call us
with your application, and we’ll provide solutions that best meet your
functional and cosmetic requirements. (example
2)
CHROME ELECTROPLATED KEYPADS & KEYTOPS
Keypads
utilizing Chrome Electroplating technology are becoming more and more
popular, especially in high-end mobile phone applications. The plating
is applied to injection-molded plastic key tops and can target specific
or all key tops on a keypad. Various plating textures are available,
including mirror finishes. These plated keys may be laser etched for
backlighting applications. Chrome plated specialty keys or controls
such as joysticks (which use injection-molded plastic materials) can
also be incorporated on the same keypad.
IMD (IN-MOLD DECORATION) KEYPADS & KEYTOPS
IMD technology offers a great deal of
design flexibility. Keypads can consist of a rubber or plastic base
with IMD key tops or they can be formed entirely from an IMD
film. These keypads are ideal for applications requiring a low
profile keypad with backlit graphics and superior graphic
protection. The graphics can be applied to the top surface or the
subsurface of the keypad for superior graphic protection and chemical
resistance over the lifetime of the product. By printing on the
subsurface, the graphics are sandwiched in between the plastic sheet
and the plunger, hence the ultimate protection. IMD keypads
utilize the technology from High Pressure forming and Injection Molding
to achieve intricate shapes with high precision.
INJECTION MOLDED KEYTOPS WITH METALLIC FINISH
This spray technology, when viewed in sunlight, appear similar to some
metallic auto finishes. Metallic grades can vary. Some metallic
grades can achieve “chameleon” colors that allow the color to change as
the viewing angle changes. This spray technology is available in
several metallic finishes and can vary in color, texture, and granular
appearance. Laser etching technology is available, as well as SealPlast protective
coatings.
LASER ETCHED PRINTING
This technology allows backlighting to only penetrate printed graphics.
Graphic color(s) are printed on a translucent silicone base material
which has been sprayed white. The entire keytop surface is then
sprayed, (generally) black. Utilizing laser etched printing technology,
the required graphics are revealed. Matte finish SealPlast protective coating is applied as a standard feature.
ESCUTCHEONS/EMBLEM
INLAYS
Escutcheons (or emblem inlays) are
available in a variety of styles or finishes.
Parts can be molded in either silicone (for a soft-touch feel) or
hard plastic with various textures and finishes to meet your
cosmetic requirements.
METAL
& POLY DOME ASSEMBLIES
Metaldomes provide superior tactile feel
and longevity, with a life of 1 million cycles with most
configurations. Built in a clean-room environment, they have a
low contact resistance as well as excellent climate and chemical
resistance. Top Bound supplies internally vented metaldome
assemblies to prevent dust or contaminants from ever affecting your
product, and they can even be supplied with an integrated conductive
ink shield for EMI control. Polydomes or an embossed polymer film
provides enhanced operator feedback at a lower cost than metaldomes.
The embossed dome creates a tactile response when depressed, with a
life of 500 thousand cycles with most configurations.
POLYCARBONATE
KEY TOPS
These are used in applications that are exposed to harsh environments
not suitable for standard rubber material. The key tops are
injection-molded with hard plastic (generally polycarbonate) to achieve
the shape and surface finish needed. A wide variety of
translucent and opaque colors are available when selecting a plastic
material, printed graphics, and/or spray coatings. Laser
Etching and protective coatings are available. The key caps can
be interfaced with rubber or mechanical switches.
SILICONE
RUBBER SWITCHES (BOOTS)
Silicone Rubber Switches (Boots) have the design versatility to
assimilate any shape and still meet the mechanical and electrical
properties specified. They are inexpensive and can be designed to meet
your tactile feel requirements. Rubber switches emulate traditional
push-button style switches, but they do not have the inherent
disadvantages mechanical switches contain. Rubber switches are
generally used in applications needing a reliable and long life switch.
They can also be called rubber boots. Rubber keypads are highly
resistant to water, oxidation, high temperatures, and most chemicals
and solvents.
COMPRESSION
MOLDED PARTS
Gaskets, seals, o-rings, rubber caps and spacers are only a few
compression-molded silicone rubber parts that can be supplied by Top
Bound. Like keypads, these parts offer inexpensive solutions to various
application requirements.
METALLIC/GOLD
CONTACTS
Gold contacts can be permanently bonded to each plunger during the
molding process. Gold can achieve a lower contact
resistance and higher life than other contacts. Applications mainly
include air condition systems, surgical devices and other medical
equipment requiring high voltage/high current.
NOTE:
Keypads shown
here are examples only and do not represent the many additional design parameters available.
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SEALPLAST
is a protective coating sprayed on the top surface of a keypad. This
spray coating dries hard and can extend the life of the graphic by 15 -
20 times. The coating is available in matte, semi-gloss and high gloss
finishes. The thickness of the spray coating can be controlled and can
also be applied to key tops only, if required. SealPlast is utilized on
all Laser Etched keypad graphics.
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ENGINEERING CHECKLIST
(MS Word .doc format)
ENGINEERING CHECKLIST
(Adobe Acrobat .pdf format)
QUOTATION
REQUIREMENTS:
A
formal or budgetary quotation can be supplied generally within 24-48
hours after our receipt of CAD files and/or dimensioned prints along
with quantity requirements, numbers of material and printing colors and
contact type, if required.
Our
engineering department can create a preliminary print from a hand
drawing for a nominal fee (depending upon design). Customers
may fax hardcopy information directly to us at (919) 772-8073 or send
via US Mail, UPS or Federal Express.
Electronic information can be sent by e-mail attachment (sales@topboundusa.com).
Larger files can be uploaded to our secure server (call for login info). We accept the following file
formats:
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Acceptable formats for 2D Drawings: |
.drw (Pro/E Drawing)
.dxf .dwg .pdf (Adobe PDF) |
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Acceptable formats for 3D CAD files: |
.prt (Pro/E Geometry file)
.igs (IGES)
.stp (STEP) |
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Acceptable Artwork formats: |
.ai (Adobe Illustrator)
.pdf (Adobe PDF) |
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(please
contact
us if you require file conversion assistance) |
We recommend submitting a surface drawing with dimensions in addition to a
CAD file.
This will help expedite the quoting process. Budgetary Keypad Quotation Request Form All data subject to change without notice. 
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