Metal Dome: Transforming User Experience and Performance

In an ever-evolving world of technology, precision and reliability are paramount. It’s a groundbreaking solution that promises to redefine the user experience and improve the performance of countless electronic devices. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology for unrivaled tactile feedback, enhanced durability and seamless integration, making it a game-changer across industries.

The Evolution of the User Interface

Metal Dome sets new standards in precision and responsiveness. Gone are the days of shallow, unsatisfactory keystrokes or inconsistent touch controls. Metal Domes provide a tactile feel that replicates the satisfying click of a mechanical keyboard, revolutionizing user interaction on a variety of devices.

Unparalleled tactile feedback

Give users precise feedback when installing Metal Domes on your electronics, increasing their overall satisfaction. The unique design and composition of the dome ensures that every keystroke or touch input has an unmistakable tactile click, giving users confidence and a more immersive interaction with their device. Whether it’s a smartphone, game console, or medical device, Metal Dome takes the user experience to new heights.

Enhanced durability and longevity

Reliability is of paramount importance in the design and manufacture of electronic equipment. Metal Domes excel in this regard, with excellent durability and longevity. These rugged domes are built to last, ensuring consistent performance even under the harshest operating conditions. Their exceptional resilience guarantees longevity, reduces the need for frequent repairs or replacements, and ultimately minimizes costs for both the manufacturer and the end user.

Seamless integration across industries

Metal Domes have found their place in multiple industries, from automotive control panels and consumer electronics to industrial equipment and medical equipment, Metal Domes provide a versatile solution for any product that requires reliable and precise user input. Ease of integration and compatibility with various technologies make Metal Dome ideal for manufacturers looking to enhance their product offerings.

Metal Dome has become a breakthrough technology that has revolutionized user experience and performance across industries. With this technology, Best Technology allows more users to experience the tactile feedback and durability and seamless integration brought by Metal Dome, as the demand for precise and reliable tactile clicks continues to grow, making Metal Dome a core component one.

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Revolutionizing the Triangular Metal Dome Design: Enhancing User Experience

Discover the power of Triangular metal domes and boost your product performance

Innovation has been a topic that has been mentioned in many industries in recent years, but the innovation of products has always been troubled by designers. What kind of design is innovation? Designers and engineers are constantly looking for ways to improve the user experience. With the design and research of triangular metal domes, they have put a lot of effort into studying different types of metal domes. These small but powerful components are revolutionizing the design landscape, providing unmatched durability, responsiveness and performance for a wide range of applications. flexibility.

Metal domes, traditionally round or dome-shaped, have long been recognized across industries for their reliability and tactile feedback. However, with the advent of the triangular metal dome, a new era of product design has emerged, offering more versatility and improved performance.

By replacing the traditional circle with a triangular design, manufacturers can gain several significant advantages. The triangular shape provides more stability, preventing unwanted wobble or misalignment, resulting in a more consistent user experience. Additionally, unique angles and edges enable precise actuation and reduce contact resistance, ensuring an instant and reliable response to every press or touch. This enhanced responsiveness creates more engaging and satisfying user interactions, whether it’s buttons on a control panel, a keyboard on a device, or a touch-sensitive interface. Durability is another noteworthy aspect of triangular metal domes. Made from high-quality materials, these components are durable enough to withstand heavy use and extend product lifecycle.

Triangular metal domes are gaining huge traction in several industries including automotive, consumer electronics, medical devices, and more. Their compatibility with various product designs and their ability to enhance the user experience make them a popular solution.

With the introduction of customizable triangular metal dome solutions, increasing demand from such users, and a high focus on product performance, the purchase rate of triangular metal domes continues to soar.

While we are constantly innovating, we have also been paying attention to the user experience evaluation. User feedback is the result of our innovation, so the reason why the customizable triangular metal dome is popular is that we constantly adjust and solve it according to the user experience. Solutions, so that customer satisfaction is the main factor for the success of the product. Whether it’s smoother keystrokes, more responsive operation feedback, or a reliable keyboard, the benefits are obvious and far-reaching.

To explore the power of metal domes and unlock the potential of product designs, stay tuned to best technology website for the latest developments and insights. Embrace this cutting-edge technology and take your product to the next level, giving users an unrivaled experience they won’t forget. If you are interested in our triangular metal dome, you can send an email to: sales@metal-domes.com, and report your needs together. We will provide the best solution according to your product.

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Why do Metal Dome Arrays Lift up when Placed on PC

Dome arrays are always assembled with Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) or flex circuits as tactile switches that provide reliable and responsive feedback to users in electronic devices. However, one common issue with metal dome arrays is that they can lift up or “pop” off the PCB after being placed, causing malfunction or failure of the switch. In this article, we will discuss the reasons behind this issue and some possible solutions.

(Metal dome array on PCB)

Understanding the Design of Metal Dome Arrays

Metal dome arrays consist of a sheet of metal domes, which are small metal discs with a raised center, that are mounted onto a PCB. The domes are usually made of stainless steel or nickel-plated phosphor bronze, and are designed to be compressed when a user applies force on them. This compression causes the dome to collapse and make contact with the conductive pad on the PCB underneath it, creating a connection and activating the switch. 

The metal domes are typically held in place by an adhesive tape or film that covers the conductive pads on the PCB. When pressure is applied on the dome, the adhesive tape stretches and allows the dome to compress. However, when the tape is not properly bonded or the dome is too large, it can lift up from the PCB, resulting in a malfunctioning switch.

And when the dome array is a double-layer structure, the thickness of upper mylar layer is about 0.05mm, the thickness of spacer layer is about 0.075mm, if the dome you used are high-height series such as triangle metal dome or four-leg metal dome (height always from 0.4~0.7mm), the space between metal dome and spacer is too big. Once the metal dome is close to the outline, it is easy to make this area of dome array tilt up.

(Double layer dome array structure)

 Causes of Metal Dome Arrays Lifting up

There are several reasons why metal dome arrays may lift up when placed on a PCB: 

1. Insufficient Bonding StrengthOne common reason for metal dome arrays lifting up is insufficient bonding strength between the adhesive tape and the PCB. This can occur if the tape is not properly applied or if the surface of the PCB is not clean. Inadequate pressure or temperature during the bonding process can also contribute to weak bonding. 

2. Size and Shape of Metal DomeThe size and shape of the metal dome can also affect its ability to stay in place. If the dome is too large or has a sharp edge, it may be more prone to lift up from the PCB. The shape of the dome can also impact its ability to compress and make contact with the conductive pad. 

3. Environmental FactorsEnvironmental factors, such as temperature and humidity, can also impact the bonding strength of the adhesive tape and the metal dome array. Extreme temperatures or humidity can cause the tape to weaken or lose its adhesion, leading to the dome lifting up from the PCB.

How to Prevent Metal Dome Arrays from Lifting up on PCBNow that we have discussed the reasons behind the lifting up of metal dome arrays on PCB, it’s important to know how to prevent this issue. Here we listing some effective solutions to prevent metal dome arrays from lifting up on PCB:

  • Use proper adhesive tape

It’s essential to use the appropriate adhesive tape for attaching the metal dome array to the PCB. The adhesive tape should have high adhesive strength and should be compatible with the material of the metal dome array and PCB.

  • Choose the right size of adhesive tape

The adhesive tape should be slightly larger than the size of the metal dome array to ensure proper adhesion. However, if the tape is too large, it may cause stress on the corners of the tape, leading to lifting up.

  • Apply sufficient pressure

Ensure that sufficient pressure is applied during the assembly process to ensure proper bonding between the metal dome array and the PCB.

  • Make spacer thicker

Make the space thicker can effectively solve the lift up problem, due to when the spacer thicker, then the space between spacer and metal dome is not too much.

  • Control the assembly environment

The temperature and humidity of the assembly environment should be controlled to prevent the adhesive tape from becoming too dry or too moist, which may affect the adhesion strength. Our SMT work shop always control the room temperature around 25oC +/-3oC, and the humidity is 35%-70%, this is the most suitable temperature for assembly.

  • Optimize the design

The design of the metal dome array and PCB can also affect the adhesion strength. By optimizing the design, the stress concentration on the corners can be minimized, thereby reducing the chances of lifting up. Below are some common FAQs about metal dome array assemble to PCB, hope this can help you to better understand and properly design dome array.

 1. Q: Can I use any adhesive tape for attaching metal dome arrays to PCB?

A: No, it’s important to use the appropriate adhesive tape with high adhesive strength and compatibility with the material of the metal dome array and PCB. 

2. Q: What is the ideal size of adhesive tape for attaching metal dome arrays to PCB?

A: The adhesive tape should be slightly larger than the size of the metal dome array to ensure proper adhesion. 

3. Q: What is the impact of temperature and humidity on the adhesion strength of metal dome arrays?

A: The adhesion strength of metal dome arrays can be affected by the temperature and humidity of the assembly environment, with excessive dryness or moisture leading to weaker adhesion. 

4. Q: Can the design of the metal dome array and PCB affect the adhesion strength?

A: Yes, by optimizing the design, stress concentration on the corners can be minimized, reducing the chances of lifting up. 

5. Q: What are the consequences of metal dome arrays lifting up on PCB?

A: The consequences of metal dome arrays lifting up on PCB include malfunctioning of electronic devices and decreased durability.

This is the end of the sharing, if you have any questions or solutions about the lift up problems, welcome to contact us at any time.

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Dome Array Products Offer Customizable Solutions

Our investment in industry-leading surface mount technology enables Best Technology to deliver precise, fast arrays of metal domes and eliminate double domes. Not only can we offer dome arrays as a single product, but we use this process in the construction of membrane switches. This enables Best Technology to provide faster turnaround times, it is cost effective and prevents line downtime.

What is a dome array?

The Metal Dome Array is a polyester film with an adhesive liner used as a carrier that can be easily peeled from a release liner and applied to a circuit board or as a layer in our membrane switch products. Proper treatment of metal domes is very important, see our dome treatment guidelines sheet.

Dome arrays are available in a variety of sizes and shapes to meet the needs of a variety of electronic applications. They can be customized using a range of materials, including different types of adhesives and graphic overlays. This enables manufacturers to create unique, tailor-made solutions for their products.

How does the dome array work?

The metal dome array piece sits over the contact points on the PCB, and when the metal dome is pressed, the center of the dome brings it into contact with the PCB and allows current to flow.

Dome arrays can be used in a wide range of applications including:

Cell Phones and Other Consumer Electronics

Computer keyboards and other input devices

Car steering wheel and central control display buttons

Handheld Medical Devices

Industrial equipment keyboard

Best Technology offers metal domes in various sizes to suit your requirements. We have the ability to custom cut shapes. Our engineering team is here to help you meet your specifications. Contact us today and we can build a prototype for you.

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The difference between four-legged metal dome with holes and without holes

Four-leg metal dome is also called cross-shaped metal dome. At present, the life of the cross-shaped domes produced by Best Technology can reach 500,000 to 1,000,000 times. It is far superior to round dome in terms of lifespan and feel. Cross-shaped metal dome has been widely used in various high-end electronic product accessories such as single-sided and double-sided circuit boards, flexible circuits, membrane switches, and medical equipment.

The working principle of the four-legged metal dome is that the dome on the top of the dome is the main interface, and the four legs extending outward are the support. When the main interface is under the pressure of the operator, the dome at the center of the main interface touches the PAD on the line, and its After that, it forms a loop with the four feet, resulting in conduction. According to the needs of different levels and levels of the market, Best Technology also has the ability to design and develop various surface treatments (such as nickel plating, gold plating) and special requirements for this type of dome.

Four-legged metal dome is divided into metal dome with holes and metal dome without holes, so what is the difference between the two, and what impact will it bring during use?

The four-corner metal dome with a center hole is mainly used on switches that need to be illuminated from the back or the bottom. The light can shine through the hole in the center of the dome, so that the LED can be placed on the lower front of the circuit board instead of on the back of the PCB. The four-legged metal dome with a center hole can be installed on single-sided or double-sided PCB, flexible circuit and membrane switch panel, and the negative and positive poles can be designed under the dome on the same side of the circuit.

The four-leg dome without a central hole is often used in digital electronic equipment and can be used as a case, mainly in the field of keyboards. Like perforated keyboards, it feels better than round and oval domes, and has a longer life cycle than triangular domes. The four-legged metal dome without holes is cheaper than the four-legged metal dome with holes, but the light projection and air permeability are not as good as the four-legged metal dome with holes.

Best Technology can adjust the stroke force, rebound/return force, feel, stroke and height according to customer requirements. Provide customers with the most suitable products and the most satisfactory service; no matter how big or how much you need, we will do our best to produce. If you have metal dome needs, contact us now to learn more!

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Why Does Add a Plunger on a Metal Dome Array?

A metal dome array & sheet (Dome Array, Mobile keypad Metal Dome, Metal Snap Dome Sheet) is a kind of PET sheet that carries metal dome contacts. It is usually applied to FPCBs and PCBs to function as switches of mobile phones and electric home appliances. The dome array is the most cost-effective solution for a simple switch with a superior tactile interface between your equipment and the user. May someone want to make a plunger or actuator on the top layer of the metal dome array, why? What are the benefits if we add a plunger on the dome array? Today, we are sharing some information about this product, keep on reading to explore more about plunger dome array.

What is a Plunger Dome Array?

When a metal dome array was added an extra plunger on the top of Mylar we named it as “Plunger Dome Array”, “Dome Array with Plunger” or “UV Metal Dome Array”, sometimes some body also call it as “Dome Array with Actuator” because it is similar like one section of actuator of keypad.  In generally, the plunger we added is 0.8-3.2mm diameter and height of 0.10-0.40mm, both of two parameters can be adjusted according to customer’s requirements or specific applications. But what important is that the height and diameter of the plunger or actuator should be based on the diameter of the tactile dome. Below is the structure/ stack up of a plunger dome array.

(Stack up of Plunger Dome Array)

Why use Plunger Dome Array?

Plunger dome array is a special kind of dome array, one of the main reasons that use this kind of dome array is that it can greatly increase the click feeling of the overall product, so it is very suitable for applications those need high click feeling but don’t like big noise when pressing high force metal dome. Additionally, we listing some other benefits if we use plunger dome array as following:

(Plunger dome array)

  • Increase height

Dome array with plunger can increase the total height of the whole product, so that if your design was finished and you found the keypad can’t touch the metal dome directly or firmly, then adding a plunger is ideal for your choice.

  • Longevity

This kind of dome array has a long lifespan because we don’t need to press with a high force, so that make them a reliable solution for devices that require long-term use. This longevity ensures that devices using plunger dome arrays are cost-effective and have a long operational lifespan.

  • Easy Integration

Plunger dome arrays are easy to integrate into electronic devices and require minimal space, making them ideal for use in devices with limited/narrow space or small contact diameter. At the same time, they are compatible with a wide range of circuit boards and are available in various sizes and shapes.

  • Consistency

Besides, it also provides consistent actuation force, ensuring that the buttons and keypads have the same feel and response every time they are pressed. This feature is important in devices that require precise control, such as medical equipment or industrial machinery.

How to produce a good quality Plunger Dome Array?

With so many benefits to use plunger dome array, so how to control the manufacturing process to get a good quality product? There are some guidelines from best Technology’s rich experience that can help you in this way.

  1. Ensuring the diameter of the plunger/UV point is only 1mm so that the defective rate is very low. If the diameter of the UV is larger than 1.0mm, the defective rate will be 20% to 30% higher than that of the 1mm one.
  • Please be make sure there is no bubbles inside and around the UV point, otherwise, it will cause the poor performance of the whole product and the UV may be peeled off.
  • Additionally, the UV point itself can’t be straight, it shows in a cone shape. Because when the UV plastic molding is curing, it needs to be pulled out of the mold, hence there will be a drawing angle.
  • UV has a tolerance when put onto the spacer, we should notice this point and consider into production run.

This is the end of this sharing about Plunger Dome Array, if you are interested in this special product, warm welcome to contact our sales at sales@metal-domes.com right now to get your plunger product.

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Assembly method of triangular metal dome

If you want to assemble a triangular metal dome, you are in the right place! Our high quality metal domes are ideal for constructing strong and durable domes of all shapes and sizes. Here are some tips and tricks for assembling a triangular metal dome:

The installation methods of metal dome can be roughly divided into three types. Different products have different assembly requirements for dome, so the design of dome is also very different.

Some customers will say that the triangular dome with legs should be soldered to the FPC/PCB board. But according to the principle of using the triangular metal dome, this is wrong. Because the triangular dome can perform the function of conducting the circuit on the PCB, when the metal dome is pressed down, the dome will extend to a certain extent around. When the two corners of the triangular dome are fixed, when the dome is pressed, the dome cannot extend to the surroundings, but because the force is increased, the life of the dome will be shortened, resulting in the dome not being able to perform its special performance normally. Therefore, the triangular metal dome does not support soldering on the circuit board.

So what is the correct installation method of the triangle metal dome with legs? It is often necessary to install the dome on the FPC/PCB board, so it is necessary to understand the assembly of the triangular metal dome.

1. Use a triangular dome with feet, insert it into the PCB board, and buckle the feet directly. This is the most commonly used method. However, this method also has disadvantages, that is, it is easy to shake during use, and manual operation will be relatively slow.

2. Directly use our commonly used transparent glue to stick the dome. Compared with the previous method, this method may save a lot of labor. Of course, there are also disadvantages. The adhesiveness of this ordinary transparent glue is not very good, it is easy to make the metal dome deviate, and the fixation of the transparent glue is not very good, so it will appear in the process of use.

3. Make metal dome conductive film. This method of making the dome into a conductive film is convenient for pasting. But the cost will be higher than the first two. But no matter in terms of durability or labor, it has advantages over the first two methods. This method is commonly used in mobile phone buttons, remote control buttons, etc.

From the above three assembly methods, you can choose the appropriate design according to your needs. You can also Contact us to obtain more product knowledge. If you have needs for metal dome, you can also contact us for purchase consultation.

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Explore the versatility of dome arrays

As technology continues to advance, the need for reliable and efficient input devices has become a top priority in all walks of life. Of the many options available, dome arrays have become a popular choice for many applications. Whether in consumer electronics, automotive controls, or industrial machinery, dome arrays offer a unique combination of features that make them a versatile and sensitive choice for designers and engineers.

At the heart of the dome array is a small metal dome that serves as the key element. These domes are made of high quality stainless steel for durability and longevity. The dome is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), usually coated with a tactile or conductive material. When the switch is pressed, the dome collapses, creating tactile feedback and completing a circuit that sends a signal to the device.

One of the key features of dome arrays is their tactile feedback. When the dome collapses, it provides a distinct ‘click’ or ‘snap’, reassuring the user that their input has been registered. This feedback is essential in applications that require precise input, such as keyboards, game controllers, or medical devices. It helps users enter data or control functions quickly and accurately.

Another distinguishing feature of dome arrays is their responsiveness. Due to its simple yet effective design, the dome array provides fast and reliable actuation with short travel distances and low force requirements. This makes them ideal for applications where speed and precision are critical, such as industrial control panels or automotive buttons. The dome array can also be customized with different actuation forces and travel distances to meet specific requirements, providing design flexibility.

Furthermore, the dome array is extremely durable and resistant to environmental elements, the stainless steel material used in the dome ensures excellent wear and tear resistance. The dome array will go through the dome life test before being sold, and the dome can rebound normally after tens of thousands of repeated pressings, which makes the dome array suitable for a wide range of applications, including outdoor equipment that requires strict hygiene standards, automotive control and medical equipment.

Additionally, the dome array offers design versatility. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and configurations allowing for flexibility in product design. dome arrays offer a unique combination of features that make them a popular choice for many applications. Their tactile feedback, responsiveness, durability and design versatility make them ideal for a wide range of industries. As technology continues to advance, dome array is likely to remain a major player in the field of input devices, providing reliable and efficient solutions for a variety of applications.

In short, Best Technology adopts advanced production technology and high-quality managers and operators to produce reliable products for us. Best has been committed to the quality control of metal dome, ensuring that the products received by customers are of high quality, so as to satisfy customers. If you are interested in our products after reading this article, you can contact us for consultation, or you can send us an email to sales@metal-domes.com.

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Elevate Your Click Experience: 6 Tips for Enhanced Metal Dome Tactility

Are you a fan of mechanical keyboards? Do you love the satisfying clicky sound and tactile feedback that comes with each keystroke? If so, then you’re likely familiar with metal dome switches. Metal dome switches are widely used in mechanical keyboards and other devices to provide a tactile response and audible click when pressed. However, not all metal dome switches are created equal. In this blog, we’ll explore several tips to enhance your metal dome tactility and elevate your overall click experience.

 Tip 1: Choose the Right Metal DomeThe type of metal dome you choose can greatly impact the tactility of your keyboard. Metal domes are made from different materials, shapes, and sizes, which can affect the amount of force required to activate the switch and the tactile feedback you’ll feel. For enhanced tactility, consider choosing a metal dome with a higher height metal dome such as four-leg metal domes, metal domes with dimple on center or metal dome with dimple on side, as it will require more pressure to actuate, providing a more pronounced tactile bump. Additionally, experimenting with different dome shapes and sizes can also affect the tactility of the switch, so be sure to find the one that suits your preference the best.

 Tip 2: Optimize Dome PlacementThe placement of metal domes on the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) can also impact the tactility of your keyboard. The positioning of the dome in relation to the keycap and the actuation point can affect how the dome collapses and rebounds, which directly affects the tactile feedback. Experimenting with different dome placements, such as aligning the dome with the center of the keycap or placing it closer to the actuation point during the assembly, because the click feeling in center of the metal dome is the best, and the deviation will also affect the click feeling.

 Tip 3: Fine-Tune Actuation ForceThe actuation force of a metal dome switch refers to the amount of pressure required to trigger the tactile bump and register a key press. Fine-tuning the actuation force can greatly impact the tactility of the switch. If you prefer a more pronounced tactile bump, consider increasing the actuation force, which will require more pressure to trigger the bump and provide more tactile feedback. We know click feeling (CC) has an equation to define: CC (%) = (CP-CL)/CP*100%, the higher the CC score, the better the click feeling will be. But we suggest CC score should not exceed 70%, because if the click feeling is too high, it will affect the life cycle of the metal domes.

However, keep in mind that adjusting the actuation force can also affect the typing speed and fatigue level, so find the sweet spot that works best for you. 

Tip 4: Consider Overtravel and Reset PointOvertravel and reset point are two critical parameters that affect the tactility of metal dome switches. Overtravel refers to the distance a key travel after it has actuated, while the reset point is the point at which the switch resets and prepares for another key press. Experimenting with different overtravel and reset point values can affect the snap-back and clicky feel of the switch. A shorter overtravel distance and reset point can result in a more pronounced click and snappier tactility, while a longer overtravel and reset point can provide a softer and smoother keystroke. It’s essential to find the right balance that matches your desired click experience.

Tip 5: Consider Keycap Material and DesignThe keycap material and design can also impact the tactility of your metal dome switches. Different keycap materials, such as ABS, PBT, or even metal, can have different textures and densities, which can affect the overall feel of the switch. Additionally, the keycap design, such as the shape, curvature, and surface finish, can also impact the tactility of the switch. Experimenting with different keycap materials and designs can help you find the perfect match for your enhanced click experience. Also, don’t make the contact silicon button too large, since it will affect the click feeling as well.

Tip 6: Make it as plunger dome array

The last way is to make the metal dome as UV plunger dome array. (???https://www.metal-domes.com/product/plunger-dome-array.htm) Plunger dome array also named as dome array with plunger or dome array with actuator, is a kind of dome array which add an extra plunger which will be 0.8-3.2mm on top of Mylar, similar like one section of actuator of keypad. Plunger dome array is suitable for such situation such as narrow space, small contact size, unable to use big diameter metal dome to add clicking feeling, or increase height, etc.

So this is the end of this article, hope you can elevate your click experience by implementing these expert tips and enjoy a superior tactile feedback with your metal dome switches!

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6 Main Factors Leading to the Poor Contact of the Snap Dome

We all know that the snap dome (also named as metal dome) is very important for the conduction of electronic product as they provide tactile feedback and act as a switch. However, poor contact of the metal dome can result in malfunctioning or unresponsive buttons, which can greatly affect the user experience or even affect the function of the whole product. Then if a product has a conduction problem, is it certainly caused by snap domes? Certainly not. Let’s briefly introduce several situations of poor contact of snap domes.

 1.  Contamination

Contamination is one of the primary factors that can lead to poor contact of the snap dome, when there is a contamination on the contact side between metal domes and PCB boards, it will affect the normal conduction of metal domes. Sometimes, dust, dirt, stain, moisture, and other contaminants can accumulate on the surface of the metal dome over time, causing an insulating layer to form. This insulating layer can interfere with the electrical conductivity of the metal dome, leading to poor or no contact when the dome is pressed. So cleaning the surface of snap dome when you are going to assemble it on a PCB or flex circuit is a necessary and very important step.

 2. Deformation

Metal domes can deform over time due to repeated use or exposure to high temperatures. Deformation can cause the metal dome to lose its original shape and fail to make proper contact when pressed, resulting in poor performance or non-functioning buttons. 3. Incorrect Design or Installation

Poor design or installation of the metal dome can also lead to poor contact. For a simple example, if the external diameter of PCB pad is 5mm, while the dome size is 6mm, when pressing down the metal dome, it will exceed the pad and cannot connect so that it won’t work. Normally Best Technology suggests that the external diameter of PCB pad should exceed at least 1mm than that of metal dome to ensure the good contact and high reliable of the snap dome.

In the same way, if the deviation of metal dome assembly is too big, it may also affect the conduction. Because normally we press the center of metal dome to make product be connected, if the assembly is deviated too much and not align well, it may actually work on the side of metal dome but not on the center when we press the center of product, indicating that the dome cannot down on the PCB pad to make conduction.

 4. Corrosion

Corrosion is another factor that can lead to poor contact of the metal dome. Corrosion can occur due to exposure to moisture, chemicals, or other environmental factors, leading to the formation of a non-conductive layer on the surface of the metal dome. For this problem, we can use corrosion-resistant materials for metal domes, such as stainless steel or gold-plated metal domes, can help to minimize the risk of corrosion. Proper storage and handling of metal domes to prevent exposure to moisture or chemicals are also important. 5. Wear and Tear

Over time, metal domes can experience wear and tear due to repeated use, resulting in poor contact. The metal dome’s spring force may weaken, or the contact area may become worn out, leading to inconsistent or no contact. 

6. Gap

If your product has a silicon keypad and the gap between silicon keypad and PCB boards is too large, then it will result in poor conduction problem. As we are pressing the silicon keypad to make metal dome down in order to connect with PCB board, if the gap is too large, we cannot make the dome down on PCB pad. 

In a word, proper cleaning, maintenance, design, installation, and material selection can help to prevent poor contact and ensure the reliable performance of snap domes in electronic devices. Regular inspection and replacement of metal domes when necessary can also help to maintain good contact and enhance the overall user experience. Contact us to get your high reliable snap domes immediately.

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