Applications of adhesives for membrane switches
One of the innovations in our performance tape portfolio is a solution that allows manufacturers to assemble and mount membrane switches, a necessity for appliance control panels.
Human-machine interface (HMI) refers to a dashboard or screen used to control machinery and is an integral part of smart home appliances. Membrane switches are a type of HMI characterized by being constructed from several layers of plastic films or other flexible materials. The visible top layer of a membrane switch is the graphic overlay, with printed circuitry underneath. Membrane adhesives underpin the successful installation of control panels. In the fabrication of membrane switches, used in various appliances, spacer films are used to bond various layers together – be it graphic overlays, circuits or dome retainers.
Our switch plate and spacer adhesive films bond the entire control panel, including those involving low surface energy materials.
Mounting and assembly of Membrane Switches
Avery Dennison solutions support a long lifetime of the membrane switches and very thin technology following design requirements, suitable for industrial processes. There is no discoloration of the graphical overlay, and no interaction with printed circuit inks. In the case of spacer adhesive films, the thickness of the PET carrier can be customized to the required layer thickness for spacer films in the membrane switch. All tapes are coated with cross-linked acrylic adhesives, providing a very high temperature, chemical, UV- and moisture resistance, as well as a very good resistance to stress and load.
in the same kind of application, you can also find the binding of flexible, printed circuits. This is a somewhat more recent in innovative market where tapes are needed that are flexible and match printed circuit inks. These printed circuits can be found in end products in the medical and touch sensitive materials market.