SILICONE KEYPAD DESIGN GUIDE

INTRODUCTION
This design guide is intended to offer basic information on keypad design and offer guidelines for you to follow as your project develops.
Silicone rubber keypads are the most widely used form of switching technology today. They offer reliability, long life and design flexibility. If you are currently deciding between various user interface materials please review some of the benefits that silicone offers.
SILICONE RUBBER BENEFITS
Silicone rubber is an excellent material for several reasons;
· Resistance to both high and low temperatures (-55° C to 250° C)
· Minimal noise generation due to soft and elastic contact structure
· Minimal abrasion and high resistance to SO2 and oxidation even in heavy humidity
In addition, silicone rubber offers several features that make its design and usage flexible;
Design both tactile and linear feedback
Translucent color is excellent for backlighting
Cost effective
Multi-color designs easily accommodated
Water and contamination resistant

It will be helpful to familiarize yourself with the following diagram and the Dictionary of Terms Used prior to reviewing the rest of this design guide