Custom membrane switches
We design and manufacture membrane switches for industrial, medical and vending applications: from drawing to prototype to series production, all in our plant in Origgio, near Milan, Italy.
What is a membrane switch
A membrane switch is a thin, flat user interface made of several stacked film layers. When a key is pressed, the contacts printed on the two circuits touch and close the electrical circuit.
Compared with traditional push buttons it is thinner, resistant to water and dust, easy to clean and fully customisable: shape, graphics, colours, number and layout of the keys.
For over 27 years INOS PROJECT has been designing and manufacturing custom membrane switches: more than 10,800 projects completed for over 650 customers.
How it is made
- Graphic overlay – scratch-resistant polyester or polycarbonate, screen printed or digitally printed with your artwork, matt or gloss finish. For capacitive versions the front panel can also be PMMA, glass or metal.
- Upper circuit – PET film with screen-printed silver conductive tracks.
- Spacer – polyester film that separates the two circuits and defines the key travel.
- Lower circuit – PET film with silver tracks.
- Mounting adhesive – acrylic adhesive to fix the keypad to the panel or enclosure.
- Connection – flexible tail to your electronics, with 1 mm, 1.27 mm or 2.54 mm pitch connectors, ZIF or crimp, male or female.
Types we manufacture
Resistive membrane switches
Backlit keypads with transparent conductive inks
Capacitive keyboards on glass and PMMA
Capacitive keyboards on metal
Keyboards on FR4 fibreglass
Keypads with embossing and Braille
Flexible circuits on polyester
Stretch circuits on TPU film
Options and customisation
| Overlay materials | Polyester, polycarbonate, PMMA, glass, metal |
|---|---|
| Connectors | 1 mm, 1.27 mm, 2.54 mm pitch · ZIF · crimp · male and female |
| Graphics | Industrial screen printing and digital printing, colour matching, transparent windows for displays |
| Backlighting | LED, also with laser-cut panels for even light distribution |
| Tactile feel | Snap-action metal domes, flat keys, embossed keys and haptic feedback |
| Sealing | Up to IP65, IP66 and IP67 |
| Operating temperature | −20 °C to +60 °C |
| Lifetime | over 1,000,000 actuations per key |
| Compliance | RoHS and REACH compliant materials · ISO 9001:2015 certified company |
| In-house processes | 3D design, laser cutting and engraving, screen printing, digital printing, 3D printing of enclosures |
From drawing to series production
- Request – send us a drawing, photo or sample to replicate, or just an idea. We accept DXF, DWG, PDF, AI, EPS, CDR files and 3D models.
- Design – together with you we define layers, materials, graphics and connection; if needed we also design the enclosure in 3D.
- Prototype – in about one week we produce the first samples to test on your device.
- Production – series production with checks under our ISO 9001:2015 quality system.
Applications
Our membrane switches are used in industrial automation, home automation, vending, medical, railway and marine: wherever controls must be reliable, easy to clean and resistant to the working environment.
Frequently asked questions
What are the advantages of membrane switches?
They are thin and light, resistant to water and dust (up to IP67), easy to clean and customisable in shape, graphics and functions. Costs remain low even for small batches.
Can you reproduce an existing keypad?
Certainly: starting from a sample we can rebuild graphics and circuit and produce a replacement keypad, even if the original supplier no longer exists.
How long does a prototype take?
Usually about one week from design approval, so you can test the keypad on your device before production.
How do I request a quote?
Write to us through the contact form or at info@inosproject.it, or call +39 02 96460738. If possible, include drawing, dimensions, quantities and operating environment.