Product category: Keyboards, Switches and other Human/Machine Interfaces
News Release from: The Bergquist Company | Subject: Membrane switches
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 12 November 2004
Switches go where no
membrane has gone before
Bergquist is using Electronica 2004 for a European launch of its extensive membrane switches capability which can be used in harsh environments that previously required more costly, rugged switches
Bergquist is using Electronica 2004 as the European launch for its extensive membrane switches capability. Based on Bergquist's proprietary HeatSeal manufacturing technique, the switches can be used in harsh environments that previously required more costly, rugged types of switches. The HeatSeal process allows engineers to design membrane switches into almost any environment.
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 12 November 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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Bergquist switches function underwater, in the rain, in the snow, and at high and low temperatures.
They continue to function after exposure to harsh chemicals and solvents.
The switches are also much more reliable when subjected to changes in atmospheric pressure, such as aerospace applications.
Traditional membrane switches use a construction technique based on pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA).
Such adhesives are susceptible to attack by solvents and other environmental agents.
Further reading
Coated thermal plates aid safety-conscious cooling
The IsoEdge range of heatsink products can improve component packaging densities, reduce parts counts and cut the assembly costs of a wide range of electronic products
Softer gap filler boosts thermal performance
Material provides an industry-leading combination of specifications, including thermal conductivity, softness, robustness and ease of use, for demanding applications such as cooling laptop CPUs
Filler bridges thermal gaps
High-performance, thermally conductive, electrically isolating, liquid gap filling material combines both an excellent conductivity of 3.6W/mK and exceptional softness
PSA-based structures are also inherently susceptible to the formation of microscopic voids, which can cause air to be lost from the switch cell itself, resulting in collapsed and keys.
The microscopic voids also act as entryways for ESD events; ESD events which can destroy electronics.
Bergquist switches, made with HeatSeal and a proprietary laminating process that does not allow for the formation of microscopic voids, do not suffer from such collapses of the membrane cell, moisture ingression or solvent attack.
As well as enhanced mechanical robustness, HeatSeal allows Bergquist to produce products that are less prone to electrical damage - being completely immune to ESD.
Bergquist HeatSeal switches are custom made to meet our customer's specifications via an engineering team that combines expertise in electronics, materials science and graphic design.
Custom tailored demand-management programs are available to meet each customer's scheduling requirements.
About Bergquist The Bergquist Company is a privately held family owned business which began in the 1960s by distributing electronic components in the upper Midwest of the USA and today consists of four main divisions; Thermal Products Group, Membrane Switch, Electronic Components Group and Bergquist Touch Products.
Bergquist's Thermal Products Group is the world's leading developer and manufacturer of thermal management materials that provide product solutions to control and manage heat in electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards.
Bergquist headquarters and manufacturing facilities are located throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, USA.
Bergquist has additional facilities in The Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Beijing, China.
A global sales and support network allows the company to meet the needs of its international customers on a worldwide basis.
The company has many years of experience in providing solutions for automotive manufacturers and suppliers, and is quality certified to both QS9000 and ISO 9001.
Bergquist is also working to achieving TS16949 certification in the near future.
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