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January 2008

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TechNet E-Mail Forum <[log in to unmask]>, mattyk <[log in to unmask]>
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Wed, 16 Jan 2008 08:46:53 -0500
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Correct, this is what I've learned and found out. There are two ways to do
this. One is the membrane Dome Switch, which the the way I'm pushing our
customer towards after my research and conversing with our flex fab contact
whose done dome switches before. The other way is to physically build it
into the board, which adds a dome piece of copper, puts spacers in, then a
cover, another spacer, then a cover with dome. This seems to add way more
cost, and our fab contact recommended the other way.

http://www.snaptron.com is a mfg of dome switches, they have different parts
and sizes for both flex and rigid pwbs. The site also has pcb patterns on it
for the different patterns. 

I know there's other options out there. But I think they're not as cost
effective for one switch on a board. If anybody needs to correct me, please
do!

Matt


-----Original Message-----
From: Roger Stoops [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 4:25 PM
To: TechNet E-Mail Forum; mattyk
Subject: RE: [TN] Polyester Dome Switch on Flex Circuit.

Many flex houses deal with just flex, not membrane/flat switch assemblies,
which is what your customer may be refering to.  But an SMD
part(s) with polyimide film flex would likely work out nicely, might be less
expensive too.

Also, had anyone contacted a membrane switch mfgr?  If there were multiple
switches, this might work out too.  This may be a pricey proposition,
depending on quantity, size, layer count, etc.

Roger

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of mattyk
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 3:05 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Polyester Dome Switch on Flex Circuit.

Yes we need details as to construction and assembly. Our customer put us in
charge in figuring out how they're done, all they said is, we want to use a
polyester dome switch. The flex house came back with, if you gave us a part
number we'd be able to help out more. The more I look into it, I think the
best way is to use a part in the stiffener section, and we'll just have to
leave a copper pattern for it to be soldered too. If that is how part type
ones are done that is. I think this way is better than having it built into
the graphic layers and using spacers and such.

-----Original Message-----
From: Roger Stoops [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 12:07 PM
To: TechNet E-Mail Forum; mattyk
Subject: RE: [TN] Polyester Dome Switch on Flex Circuit.

The domes may be integrated into the graphics layer, or installed underneath
the graphics layer, depending on how expensive an assembly you want. Dome
has to be stiffer mat'l, depending on snap action/tactile feel required.
Graphics layer might possibly be a cover layer, no graphics, with dome
underneath, once again, how many $$.  Will probably also need a stiffener
under the switch, or needs to be secured to a stiff or hard surface.  No
flexing in switch area allowed.

Are you curious about how they are implemented, or do you need details as to
construction/assembly? Flex house should be able to provide more specific
details. 

Roger

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of mattyk
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:44 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] Polyester Dome Switch on Flex Circuit.

We have a customer requesting a polyester dome switch on a flex circuit.
I have questions out to our Flex Fab vendors, but thought I'd also ask here.
Are these done during the fabrication process? Will the vendors fab these
in? Or are they installed after? How do these effect the standard flex
circuit materials? The flex circuits in question intended use is Continuous
Flex. I've found mfg's of these switchs, though am having trouble finding
how they are implemented.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Matt Kennedy
SBS Pads
Sr. PCB Designer C.I.D. 

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