OEM Rubber Keypad Silicone Laser Carving Button

Silicone Rubber Keypads

Silicone buttons are renowned for their exceptional toughness and elasticity. They maintain their shape under external pressure and offer a smooth texture, providing users with a superior tactile experience. These keypads are non-toxic, odorless, and safe, posing no harm to human health. Additionally, they exhibit excellent wear resistance, ensuring that external factors do not affect their appearance, text, or color over time.

Creating Silicone Rubber Keypads

Silicone keypads are highly adaptable and multifunctional, similar to plastic molding. Raw silicone can be customized to specific hardness, color, and transparency requirements based on customer needs. Once the raw material is prepared with the desired properties, it undergoes one of two molding processes: injection molding or compression molding. Due to cost considerations, most keypads and gaskets are produced using compression molding.

Compression Molding Process

Visualize a compression mold as a large waffle maker with a top and bottom half that compress a precisely cut and weighed portion of silicone material. The mold is preheated to the correct temperature, then closed under extreme pressure (150 – 250 tons). During this process, the silicone fills the entire mold cavity and undergoes vulcanization, where the material hardens into the desired shape. Once the tool is opened, components are removed using compressed air.

Designing for Snap Ratio and Tactile Feedback

One of the key advantages of silicone keypads is the ability to design for specific snap ratios and tactile feedback. This is crucial for ensuring users can detect when a key has been fully pressed. When the key is depressed, the webbing collapses and connects the contact area to a circuit or mechanical key below. Upon releasing the pressure, the webbing returns to its neutral position. The differential in pressure and movement creates tactile feedback, which can be optimized by design engineers through the appropriate snap ratio.

Advantages of Silicone Keypads

• Durability: Silicone keypads are resistant to deformation and wear, ensuring long-lasting use.
• Safety: Made from non-toxic, odorless materials, they are safe for all users.
• Customization: Raw silicone can be tailored for specific hardness, color, and transparency, meeting diverse customer requirements.
• Cost-Effective Production: Compression molding is a cost-effective method for producing high-quality keypads and gaskets.
• Enhanced User Experience: Smooth texture and optimal tactile feedback provide a superior user experience.

OEM rubber keypads with silicone laser carving buttons offer a combination of durability, safety, and customizable features, making them an ideal choice for various applications requiring high-quality, reliable keypads.