Strength Changes of Metal Domes After Long-Term Use

The dome, also known as the metal dome or metal button, is the key component responsible for triggering the signal in the membrane switch. In the daily use of the membrane switch, the force retention of the dome has a significant impact on its performance stability and service life. Influence. So, when the dome in the membrane switch is used for a long time, how will its strength change? This article will start from the structural characteristics of dome, explore its force change pattern after long-term use, and take this opportunity to further elaborate on the significant advantages of membrane switches in terms of durability.

The dome is made of high-quality stainless steel, and its internal structure is designed with a certain amount of elastic space to ensure that it can be quickly reset after each press. Under normal use conditions, the dome can theoretically withstand more than millions of presses. However, the strength of any physical component will inevitably change to a certain extent under long-term repeated loading.

First of all, regarding the strength change of domes after long-term use, according to research, the strength attenuation of a carefully designed and manufactured dome is relatively small under the premise of ensuring a certain service life. The high-quality dome has undergone strict material selection and precision processing to ensure its fatigue strength and elastic recovery capability. Even after long-term high-frequency use, the force attenuation remains within the acceptable range and does not affect the normal operation of the switch.

Secondly, the advantages of membrane switches lie in their structural design and material selection. On the one hand, the multi-layer structure design of the membrane switch effectively disperses the pressing pressure and reduces the pressure load of a single dome, thus delaying the process of strength decline. On the other hand, the stainless steel material used has excellent corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance. Coupled with reasonable plating technology, it can reduce friction loss and maintain the long-lasting elasticity of the dome.

Furthermore, many membrane switch manufacturers will take into account the changes in strength of the dome during long-term use during the design stage. By optimizing design parameters, such as reasonably setting the elastic curve, shape and size of the dome, and improving the production process, they can ensure the membrane switch to the greatest extent. It can still maintain stable triggering force after long-term use.

Best Technology specializes in the production of metal domes, dome arrays, polydome and other products. Our products are widely used in various key switches, including mobile phones, membrane switches, digital electronics, household appliances, GPS systems, medical equipment and other electronic and electrical products.

Although dome strength will inevitably decrease slightly after long-term use in membrane switches, through careful design, high-quality materials and advanced technology, membrane switches have shown significant advantages in durability. After research by Best Technology, the metal dome can not only withstand a large number of pressing operations for a long time, but also ensure stable triggering force during normal use throughout the life cycle, thus ensuring the efficient and stable operation of the membrane switch in various applications. This is one of the reasons why Best Technology’s metal domes are widely used in many electronic devices.

Posted in Business | Leave a comment

Explore the Knowledge and Applications of Metal Domes

Metal dome is a common electronic mechanical component that is elastic and widely used in many fields. It plays an important role both in mechanical manufacturing and electronic equipment. Below we will delve into its key knowledge and applications. We will start from the structure, material, manufacturing process and application fields, so that everyone can better understand and apply this important metal component.

Structure and type

Metal domes have resilience and bending capabilities, usually in the shape of sheets or strips, and are used for various mechanical keys, switches, shock absorption and other functions. Metal domes can be divided into various types according to different shapes and uses, such as:

1. Rectangular dome: rectangular or square, often used to connect and fix components, and has good load-bearing capacity.

2. Circular dome: ring-shaped or circular, suitable for connection, fixing and damping scenarios.

3. Oval dome: curved shape, usually used to bear local loads or adjust assembly gaps.

Materials and properties

The material of the metal dome is usually made of highly elastic metal materials, such as stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, etc. These materials have excellent elasticity, corrosion resistance, wear resistance and other properties, allowing the dome to maintain its functionality in various harsh environments.

Main features

1. Load bearing capacity: Domes of different sizes and materials have different load bearing capacities, and appropriate specifications can be selected according to needs.

2. Corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant: When suitable materials are selected, the dome can resist corrosion and wear and maintain a long service life.

3. Elastic recovery: The dome can quickly return to its original shape after being stressed, maintaining its elasticity and bending ability.

Manufacturing process

The manufacturing process for metal domes typically includes the following steps:

1. Material selection: Choose appropriate materials, usually metal materials, such as stainless steel or carbon steel.

2. Stamping: Use equipment such as a punch machine to stamp the metal sheet to obtain the required dome shape.

3. Bending and bending: The stamped metal sheet is bent and bent to form the specific shape of the dome.

4. Heat treatment: In some cases, the dome needs to be heat treated to improve its elasticity and durability.

5. Surface treatment: Surface treatment of the dome, such as galvanizing, nickel plating, etc., to improve corrosion resistance.

How to buy the right metal dome?

1. Material selection: Select the appropriate material according to the application environment of the product to ensure that the metal dome has sufficient feel and corrosion resistance.

2. Specifications and sizes: Choose appropriate specifications and sizes according to actual needs, as well as the shape of the metal dome, to ensure that the dome can function normally in use.

3. Performance test: Before mass production, samples need to be tested for performance to ensure the quality of the dome.

Best Technology has rich design and production experience and a professional design team that can design metal domes according to customer needs. At the same time, it can conduct manufacturability analysis of the product through DFM to make the metal dome perfectly fit your product. Come in for a consultation!

Posted in Business | Leave a comment

Introduction to the Parameters of Domes in Membrane Switch

The metal dome is the only metal component in the membrane switch and is widely used. Under the current circumstances, many products use metal domes in a confusing manner, especially in flexible circuits. They are only used as a component to provide tactile feedback, which causes many drawbacks to the performance of the membrane switch and even causes the membrane switch to lose its due effect.

Best Technology introduces the characteristics, specifications, functions, selections and common problems of metal domes one by one for your reference, so as to better utilize the role of metal domes and improve the reliability of membrane switches.

1. Characteristics of metal dome

Metal domes are usually made of 301 or 304 stainless steel. For mylar, we have the thickness of 0.05mm and 0.075mm (both are with adhesive). And the mylar with the thickness of 0.05mm is the most commonly used. In addition, we can also produce some metal domes with special thickness according to customer requirements. The main parameters of metal domes are as follows:

Lifespan: 4 to 5 million times

Contact Bounce (on) : <.3ms

Contact Bounce (off) : <6ms

Voltage/Current Maximum: 12 ma @ 24 volts DC, RL

Contact Resistance:<100 ohms

2. The function of metal dome

  • Use the conductivity of metal to connect the two-pole contacts of the switch.
  • End the rebound of the metal dome and provide tactile feedback to the operator

3. Common types and specifications of metal domes

First of all, according to the shape, there are round, triangular, oval and four-legged metal domes. In order to make the bottom edge of the metal dome contact smoothly and increase the stroke, as well as overcome the frictional resistance of the bottom edge to the substrate when the dome moves and facilitate scheduling, corresponding support dots are punched on the edges of metal domes of different shapes. . At the same time, the domes are classified according to their external dimensions, operating strength, stroke height, etc. So there are many types of metal domes. Best Technology customizes different metal dome shapes and specifications according to different product application requirements.

4. Application of metal domes

Metal domes are mainly used in PCBs and membrane switches containing circuit boards. In membrane switches, the three major characteristics of metal domes are conduction, rebound, and touch. It can be mainly used in consumer products such as electronic keyboards, remote control switches, POS machines, etc., as well as mechanical products such as factory machine consoles and some key switches.

Posted in Business | Leave a comment

Metal Dome Buttons Are Used in Mechanical Products

Metal dome buttons have a very wide range of applications, second only to touch key switches. They are widely used in mechanical appliances such as large machine tools or daily electronic products. Because the metal dome of the metal push button switch is very corrosion-resistant and dust-proof and waterproof, and the dome array and internal metal dome structure result in a long service life. The main supporting fields of illuminated metal button switches are electronic control equipment, lifting equipment, heavy machine tool equipment, power electronic equipment, transportation vehicles, aerospace, ships, household appliances, etc.

The metal dome button is a switch that conducts a small current when pressed. It can be used as an operating signal input switch for various electronic devices. The metal dome button conducts a circuit by pressing it. It opens and closes the internal contact points by applying a small force on its external contact surface.

Such contact points are usually made of metal materials and have high durability and reliability. The metal dome button is turned on and off by pressing the metal dome. It has the characteristics of simple structure, compact size, flexible operation, stable and reliable performance.

Metal dome buttons are usually composed of PET outer layer, dome, contacts and other parts. The PET outer layer fixes the position of the metal dome, which is installed on the machine and can be assembled with the PCB to form a membrane switch device. 3M glue is used to combine the dome array with the PCB and can be installed directly in the machine. The contact is the core component that realizes the switch function. It usually consists of two metal sheets, one of which is a fixed contact and the other is a moving contact.

When the switch button is pressed, the dome is deformed by external force and contacts the circuit board downwards, causing the two sets of pins of the switch to be connected, thus making the circuit conductive. When the switch button is released, the spring piece returns to its original shape and breaks contact with the circuit board, causing the circuit to be in a cut-off state. This kind of tactile switch has a good feel. When you press the button to a certain extent, there will be a ticking sound, and you can feel the clear operating touch.

The biggest feature of the metal dome button is that it uses very small pressing force and generates tactile feedback, so that the user can feel the pressing effect, and the switch function can be realized by pressing the button. In addition, tact switches also have the characteristics of stability and long life. Best Technology has more than ten years of production experience in the production of metal domes, dome arrays, and membrane switches. If your product has requirements for metal dome buttons and dome array, you can directly contact us salesperson for enquiry.

Posted in Business | Leave a comment

Take You to Understand the Structure and Working Principle of SMD Tactile Switch

SMD tactile switch is a widely used chip component, mainly produced through surface mounting technology. It is a switch type mainly used in various electronic products at present. Since there are many manufacturers of SMD tactile switches, and the products have various sizes and specifications, and the quality is also uneven, this leads to customers not knowing how to make a choice when choosing. The following is based on the structure and working principle of SMD tactile switch. Select the appropriate SMD tactile switch.

SMD tactile switch is mainly divided into the following two types according to different design principles. One is to use the metal dome inside the switch to turn the switch on and off. The feel of this switch is relatively good, because it is made of metal. When the switch button is pressed to a certain extent, there will be a ticking sound. , this kind of feedback is very good. Many mobile phones now use this principle in their design, such as virtual buttons. In order to make them have the same feel as physical buttons, various vibrations and sounds are designed to create a feeling that is the same as physical buttons. a feeling of. The other is to use conductive rubber to turn the switch on and off. The feel of this type of switch is slightly worse than the previous one, but the contact resistance is large, about 10,000 times that of the previous one.

Structure of SMD tactile switch

The SMD tactile switch is mainly composed of five parts: cover, button, dome, base and pins. The cover is mainly used for sealing protection to prevent dust and other pollutants from corroding the internal parts of the switch; the main function of the button is to withstand the pressure of external force, and then conduct the pressing force to the dome; and the dome is an SMD tactile switch A very important component in the circuit breaker, it mainly relies on changes in the force of the dome to turn the switch on and off, forming a closed circuit; the function of the pins is mainly to connect with the circuit.

SMD tactile switch working principle

The working principle of the SMD tactile switch: When the button of the switch is pressed, the dome inside the switch will deform under the action of pressure and contact the solder tab, which will connect the pin circuit of the switch; and when the dome When the pressing force is removed, the dome will immediately separate from the solder tab and return to its original state. At this time, the two sets of pins of the SMD tactile switch are no longer connected, causing the entire switch circuit to appear disconnected.

The production and manufacturing of SMD tactile switch can be well understood from the structure and working principle. So how to choose a suitable product? When the patch clear switch is used, in order to improve the performance of the switch, the contact resistance will be reduced. Therefore, customers will choose the material of the chip clear switch. Both brass and phosphor copper have the function of reducing resistance. In addition, the resistance can be reduced by surface treatment of the metal dome. When choosing a tactile switch, you must choose a reliable product, mainly for stable performance and safe and continuous operation.

The metal dome plays an important role in the SMD tactile switch, so when choosing a suitable tactile switch, the product quality of the metal dome should also be considered. Best Technology is a metal dome manufacturer with rich experience. In the production of SMD tactile switches, it strictly controls product quality and strictly abides by production specifications. If you need SMD tactile switch or metal dome in your product, you can contact us at any time for consultation!

Posted in Business | Leave a comment

What Should You Pay Attention to When Producing Metal Domes?

The main requirements for the use of metal domes are the strength, rebound effect, service life and feel of the dome. In response to these problems, Best Technology conducts continuous research on material selection, design, production and testing when producing metal domes. The current sound production process and plan have been formed. The following is a detailed introduction to the key factors that need to be paid attention to during the production of metal domes:

Material selection: Choose high-quality metal materials, such as stainless steel or nickel silver, for durability and corrosion resistance. The material should be able to withstand repeated use without deformation.

Size and shape: Design shapes according to customer needs and carry out mass production. Make sure the metal dome is manufactured in a uniform size and shape to maintain button consistency. Changes in size or shape may result in differences in tactile feedback and user experience.

Tactile feedback: The metal dome is used to provide tactile feedback when the button is pressed. Designing a dome with the proper snap and tactile response is critical to ensure a satisfying user experience while not being too hard or too soft to press.

Durability and Reliability: The metal dome is life tested to withstand five million actuations without losing elasticity or tactile feedback to ensure its durability and reliability.

Placement and Adhesion: Proper placement and adhesion of metal domes to the button substrate, or production dome array, is critical to preventing them from shifting or shifting during use. Use strong 3M glue to make it stick firmly and avoid falling off.

Environmental considerations: Consider the operating environment in which the buttons will be used. Make sure the metal dome can withstand temperature changes, humidity and other environmental factors without degrading performance.

Manufacturing Process Control: Best Technology implements strict quality control measures throughout the entire manufacturing process to maintain consistency and adhere to specifications. This includes monitoring the dimensions, material properties and tactile characteristics of the metal domes.

By paying attention to these factors during the production of metal domes for buttons, a high-quality product with reliable performance and user satisfaction is ensured. Metal domes have a relatively higher upfront cost compared to other types of buttons, but are more cost-effective in terms of long-term durability and reliability over the entire life of the electronic device. Maintenance and replacement costs are reduced, and the overall quality of customer products is improved. If you are interested in Best Technology metal dome and dome array, you can contact us for a detailed consultation.

Posted in Business | Leave a comment

What Is the Function of Gold Plating Metal Dome?

As we all know, the choice of materials plays a crucial role in determining electronic devices performance and lifespan. Among the various options available, gold-plated metal domes have emerged as a preferred choice for many applications. In this blog, we explore the reasons behind the growing popularity of gold plating and its benefits in enhancing the functionality and beauties of electronic components.

Various Types of Metal Dome in Electronic Devices
Normally, the materials affect the life cycle of metal dome directly, and there are many types of materials: stainless steel material, Nickel plated material, Silver plated material, Gold plated and Phosphor bronze plated.
Generally speaking, the material with surface treatment will have a better conduction performance than that of stainless-steel material, especially the gold-plated dome, having the lowest resistance and the best conduction performance, followed by the silver plated, nickel plated, and stainless steel metal dome. And surely the cost of gold plated is the highest.

Advantages of Gold Plating Metal Domes
Among the various options available, gold-plated metal domes have emerged as a preferred choice for many applications. Herein, we explore the reasons behind the growing popularity of gold plating and its multifaceted benefits in enhancing the functionality and beauty of electronic components.

1.Corrosion resistance
One of the primary reasons for opting for gold-plated metal domes is the superior corrosion resistance they offer. Electronic components are often exposed to harsh environmental conditions, including corrosive gases and liquids. The gold layer acts as a protective barrier, shielding the metal domes from corrosion and ensuring the stability and reliability of the components over an extended period.

2.Electrical conductivity
Additionally, the gold layer improves the electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity of the metal domes. Metals are inherently good conductors of electricity and heat, and a gold coating can further enhance these properties. This improvement in conductivity ensures more efficient transfer of electrical and thermal energy, effectively reducing contact resistance and enhancing the quality and efficiency of signal transmission.

3.Oxidation resistance
In another aspect, the gold plating increases the oxidation resistance of the metal domes, thereby extending their lifespan. Gold is highly chemically stable and resistant to oxidation and corrosion, which helps maintain consistent performance of the domes in complex working environments.

4.Good appearance
Furthermore, the gold coating also enhances the aesthetic appeal of the metal domes, elevating the product’s quality and level. The attractive color of gold can improve the overall texture of the product. In modern society, where appearance is increasingly valued, the aesthetic appeal and quality of electronic components, which are often on display, are equally important.

Anyway, the use of gold-plated metal domes in electronic components has become a strategic choice, driven by the manifold advantages they offer. As technology continues to advance, the adoption of gold-plated components is expected to rise, marking a golden era for electronic engineering. Whatever assemble in PCBs, flex circuits or in tactile membrane switches, it is the best option for you. You can contact us feel free when you want more information shared.

Posted in Business | Leave a comment

3 Ways You Must to Know about Design Air Vent Hole on A Dome Array

Air vent hole (air vent slot) is a small path that located around the metal domes or between domes, which is an important element for the normal operation of the dome array. It is available for almost of applications, so that when we press the metal dome, the air will go out through the small path. Therefore, in another word, air vent hole is related to the clicking feel and function of the dome array or tactile membrane switch.

The location of the vent slot is extreme vital for the function of the whole product. Normally, there are three ways to design the vent holes, each way has its advantages and depends on the specific requirements. Herein, we would like to introduce these ways to make you sense to them.

What is the importance of the air vent hole on dome array?

Typically, the vent hole serves as a pathway for air to release, maintaining balanced pressure and preventing potential issues such as sticking, inadequate response, or non-operational switches. The primary role of the air vent hole is to equalize pressure between the metal dome and the substrate. When a user presses a metal dome, the air underneath it needs to escape to ensure a stable and dependable tactile response. The presence of the air vent hole facilitates the immediate release of trapped air, allowing the dome to collapse and establish proper electrical contact. Without the vent hole, the dome may not perform optimally, leading to inconsistent or unresponsive keystrokes. Therefore, when pressing the snap dome, a vent slot is essential to prevent the compression of air underneath.

The ways to design air vent hole

There are three ways to make the vent holes on the dome array, which including:

1.Design air vent holes between metal domes and spacer

The first way is the most popular and easy to make, that is designed between the metal domes and spacers, just like below image. By this way, we can design the vent slot everywhere we want, and the path can longer or short. It depends on the distance between the two metal domes. But there is a tip that you must know – by this way, the air vent slot must between the spacer between the two metal domes, so that the air can be vented smoothly.

2.Make the small opening hole on the top layer of dome retainer

If your space between metal domes is limited, make a small opening on the dome retainer also is a good idea for air flowing. It can designed according to your preference.

3.Make hole on the PCB

In almost way, the dome array or metal domes are always assembled with PCB or flex circuits. So you can make a hole on the PCB like below image, by this way, the air can be flowed out through this small hole.

Each of these vent hole placements has its advantages and may be selected based on specific design considerations, such as the desired tactile response, overall switch performance, and manufacturing requirements. The choice of vent hole placement can impact factors like actuation force, key feel, and the prevention of issues like sticking or poor responsiveness in dome array applications.

Posted in Business | Leave a comment

Solution For Dome Array To Be Mounted On A Tilted Pcb Board

In electronic product production applications, dome array installation on PCB has become a topic of concern. In complex printed circuit boards (PCBs), there are some issues that continue to attract attention – the problem of dome array installation tilt. Best Technology decided to explain this phenomenon and give you an in-depth introduction to dome array.

Whether it is the selection of materials, the stamping technology of the dome, or precision manufacturing, any lax operation will affect the subsequent application of the metal dome or dome array. During the assembly process, the dome array needs to remain stable and flat on the PCB board. However, some manufacturers have encountered a troublesome situation where the dome array is initially flat when assembled but gradually tilts over time. This tilt creates the risk of dust penetrating the dome array, causing conduction damage and potential operational issues.

Often to improve performance and durability, metal domes require a coating, usually involving gold or nickel plating. This protective layer protects the dome from corrosion and wear, ensuring continued functionality over the long term. At the same time, during the assembly process, the metal dome needs to be assembled first onto a double-layer structure, usually consisting of an upper polyester film and a lower spacer layer.

Looking closely, for the dome array assembled onto the PCB board, the root cause of this problem lies in the construction of the double-layer structure dome array. Specifically for the dome array, the thickness of the upper polyester film layer is approximately 0.05mm, and the thickness of the lower spacer layer is approximately 0.075mm. When using a high-height metal dome, such as a triangular or four-legged metal dome (height range is 0.4mm to 0.7mm), the height difference between the dome and the spacer layer is relatively large. Once the dome is close to the edge, it will cause shrapnel The patch becomes warped.

So how to solve this problem?

To solve this problem, we can start from two aspects, a two-pronged solution: first, the supplier provides drawings, and when designing, the shrapnel should not be too close to the edge, leaving enough space to prevent warping. Second, we can thicken and add Glue the spacer layer to prevent the elastic patch from lifting. This modification ensures a more secure connection, prevents dome array tilting and maintains optimal performance.

Dome array is a main component in electronic products, so it must undergo strict production to ensure the production quality of the product. At the same time, designers with rich experience are required to design solutions more accurately and avoid problems encountered in applications. Also selecting a dome with appropriate height specifications can help manufacturers proactively address tilt issues. Best Technology strictly controls quality control to ensure that metal dome arrays meet the necessary standards and can provide reliability and longevity in electronic applications.

In short, understanding the difference between the structure and production process of metal dome arrays and dome specifications is crucial to solving the installation and use problems of dome arrays in PCB boards. The problems that may be encountered when applying in products are some minor problems. This can be avoided with minor design changes. Reliability and suitability for dome array applications are ensured through thoughtful design and functional enhancements within the structure.

The above is a detailed introduction to how to deal with the installation tilt problem of metal dome array in PCB board. If you have other questions about metal dome or dome array, please leave us a message.

Posted in Business | Leave a comment

What is the structure of membrane switch?

A membrane switch is a type of user interface that consists of several layers of flexible materials sandwiched together. It is commonly used in electronic devices and control panels to provide a user interface for input or control. The layers typically include a graphic overlay, circuit layer, and adhesive layer, and assemble them into a whole product that is called membrane switch.

Before dive into the assemble process, we should know the structure composition about a membrane switch. In generally, all the tactile switches are made by six layers, whatever it is the simplest PET membrane switch or the complex fiber optical tactile switch. The six layers are including:

1.Graphic overlay

The graphic overlay is on the top side of the membrane switch, which can be designed various legends and colors on it. There are commonly two printing methods that print the graphic, one is traditional screen printing, and another is digital printed technology. Both two are excellent way to print, but digital printed is mainly used for printing the gradient colors, like dark blue to light blue. By this way, the overlay can be shown a more beautiful and advanced appearance.

2.Overlay spacer

The overlay spacer is typically a layer that provides separation between the graphic overlay (the visible top layer with the buttons or graphics) and the circuit layer (the layer containing the conductive traces). This spacer layer is crucial for preventing unintended contact between the overlay and the circuit layer, ensuring that the switch functions properly and only registers press when intended.

3.Dome retainer

The dome retainer is a part of the membrane switch that helps hold the metal dome onto the correct place, ensuring they are properly aligned with the corresponding circuit traces. It can help to maintain the integrity of the switch’s design and misalignment or unintended actuation.

4.Circuit spacer

A circuit spacer just like the overlay spacer in a membrane switch, it refers to a material that is used to create separation between the dome retainer and lower circuit layer. When a user presses a key or activates a specific area on the graphic overlay, allowing the conductive elements on the overlay to make contact with the corresponding traces on the circuit layer beneath.

5.Lower circuit

This layer usually consists of a flexible circuit board (FPC) or a polyester (PET) or the printed circuit board (PCB) that has circuit traces or conductive elements printed or etched onto it. These traces serve as the conductive pathways for transmitting the electrical signals generated by the user’s input to the electronic device or system connected to the membrane switch. It plays a crucial role in the functionality of the switch by facilitating the completion of electrical circuits when the switch is pressed, thereby registering the desired input.

6.Back adhesive

The back adhesive is the bottom layer of the membrane switch, we always use the 3M adhesive as the bottom layer. The primary purpose of the back adhesive is to provide a strong and reliable bond between the membrane switch and the substrate or surface to which it is applied. This adhesive layer ensures that the membrane switch stays in place during regular use and does not peel off or detach.

 The choice of adhesive is crucial, as it needs to adhere well to various materials, including metals, plastics, or other surfaces commonly found in electronic devices or equipment. Additionally, the adhesive should be durable enough to withstand environmental conditions and temperature variations.

These are the basic layers of the tactile membrane switches, if you have more questions about the structure, welcome to contact us.

Posted in Business | Leave a comment