| ign="center"> | | | | before being screen printed. It is the arc of the |
| When it comes to switching technologies, nothing | | | | key top that determines where the print should |
| comes close to the ease being offered by silicone | | | | start.silicone keypad printing can also be done by |
| keypads. Silicone keypads, also known as | | | | laser etching. This method is recommended for |
| elastomeric keypads, have found extensive use | | | | those electronic gadgets that need a keypad |
| not just in the industrial setting but also in the | | | | capable of having backlights. There are three |
| consumer sector as a low cost switching solution. | | | | steps involved in this method — the |
| If you are not familiar with how a silicone rubber | | | | spraying of a translucent base coat ink on the |
| keypad looks like, you might want to try checking | | | | translucent keypad, the spraying of an opaque |
| out the keypad of your mobile phone or the | | | | top coat ink, and the laser etching to reveal the |
| keypad of your TV’s remote control. | | | | base coat. |
| Silicone keypads can come in a number of shapes | | | | On the other hand, of the three, the plastic key |
| and sizes. Oftentimes, the key shape plays a | | | | caps are considered to be the longest lasting |
| factor on how ergonomic the keypad is. For | | | | when creating a silicone keypad. This is because |
| instance, circular keys tend to be easier to use | | | | plastic key caps have a reputation for |
| than keys with a half-moon shape. Once the | | | | withstanding wearing out. This method is usually |
| shape of the key has been determined, | | | | seen in mobile phones where plastic caps are used |
| manufacturers of this type of keypad would have | | | | over rubber. |
| to choose the way by which the rubber would be | | | | In some industrial and consumer gadgets, you |
| created and the legends printed. | | | | might notice a different kind of keypad, one that |
| There are three ways by which the markings on | | | | in which the keys are not protruding. This is |
| the keypad can be made — printing, laser | | | | known as a membrane keypad. And is not to be |
| etching, and plastic key caps. Of these three, | | | | confused with a rubber silicone keypad where the |
| printing is the most common method. In here, the | | | | keys are separate from each other. |
| rubber is fixed so that the key top is flattened | | | | |