Membrane Switch
Since 1958 The solution for your business
Thanks to its high quality standards, Topflight Italia SPA has obtained approval 
Membrane Switches
The evolution and success of Topflight Italia stem from its ability to interpret and create
membrane switches that anticipate market needs, bringing to life the ideas,
intuitions and desires of its customers.
The technical department designs the product based on customer requests and requirements. Close collaboration is therefore established with the aim of incorporating the aesthetic requirements and functional constraints of the product
into the design.
The study, graphic design and systems are carried out in-house by specialised personnel, using state-of-the-art and highly sophisticated equipment, in order to guarantee high quality during the printing and execution of the product.
The technical and functional characteristics of membrane switches
The membrane switch is an electronic device that uses a thin plastic film as the basis for the keys. This type of keyboard has numerous advantages over traditional keyboards, such as ease of cleaning and resistance to water and dust. In addition, the membrane switch features a slim and compact design. Other technical and functional characteristics of membrane switches include touch sensitivity, key durability and the ability to customise the configuration according to customer requirements. Thanks to these features, membrane switches represent a modern and innovative solution for typing text and commands on electronic devices.
A membrane switch is a type of switch that uses a thin sheet as a membrane to activate the keys. It works through an electrical process in which pressure on the keys causes a connection between the membrane and the printed circuit board underneath, thus sending a signal to the computer for typing. This design makes membrane switches thinner and lighter than traditional mechanical keyboards, allowing for greater freedom of movement. In addition, the membrane provides excellent protection against dust and other debris, increasing the durability and longevity of the membrane switch. Furthermore, unlike mechanical keyboards, membrane switches are silent, making them a popular choice for work environments where noise minimisation is a priority.
Topflight membrane switches represent the most advanced application of self-adhesive materials.
They are individually printed, die-cut and laminated together to form a single thin panel. Their structure makes them particularly suitable for use in the most difficult conditions, as the circuits and contacts are completely sealed and resistant to moisture, oxidation and dust. The keys, which can transmit low-voltage signals with a light touch, use a generally open silver contact and are based on the principle of flexing a polyester membrane. Membrane switches give designers plenty of scope to create any shape, colour, graphic design and size.
Areas of application for membrane switches
There are no limits to the use of Topflight membrane switches, which are normally used in the automotive, marine, household appliance, electro-medical, electronic toy, vending machine, coffee machine, machine tool and any electronic equipment sectors.
The advantages of membrane switches
In short, here’s why the membrane switch is a winning choice:
- Reliable technology over time;
- Speed and ease of application;
- Resistance to any hostile agent (humidity, water, dust, chemicals, UV rays, temperatures, etc.);
- Flexibility in production volume (there are no minimum or maximum quantity limits)
- Freedom of graphic and dimensional customisation: the product can be designed, created and manufactured to customer specifications, giving the equipment an exclusive and personalised interface.
Our quality controls
All membrane switches are individually checked by computer and supplied with the respective test certificate, applied to each piece, where the minimum and maximum resistance values detected are highlighted. For keyboards with built-in SMD LEDs, specific functional checks and brightness measurements are performed on each individual LED. Thanks to the high quality of the materials used and the technologically advanced equipment employed, Topflight membrane switches represent the most reliable solution with the greatest guarantee of durability, especially in very hostile and difficult environments.
Antimicrobial membrane switche
Topflight Italia, always attentive to market needs, specialises in the production of membrane switches with ANTIMICROBIAL TECHNOLOGY.
Never before has the use of this technology been so important and indispensable in various sectors such as hospitals, healthcare, food, laboratories or any other area where it is important to reduce virus and bacteria contamination as much as possible, including through tactile contact with equipment.
Topfligh ANTIMICROBIAL membrane switches are made with a special material that contains an antimicrobial agent distributed evenly across the entire surface. When bacteria, viruses or fungi come into contact with the surface of the switch, the antimicrobial function destroys the microbial cells, inhibiting their reproduction on the surface of the switch and thus preventing transmission and infection to the operator.
The ANTIMICROBIAL membrane switch therefore guarantees constant protection against microbial contamination during contact and keystrokes.
This special antimicrobial material is subjected to specific tests in accordance with ISO 22196:2011 standards to guarantee its quality and effectiveness over time.
Capacitive keyboards: Where a touch becomes action
The multisensory effect, the wide freedom of expression in design and graphic customisation, the possibility of impressive backlighting and ease of contact make the capacitive keyboard a revolutionary technology in human-machine interfaces.
It is based on the constant monitoring of the electrical capacity of the pressed area, which is detected by simple contact. Therefore, capacitive switches transform a simple touch into a panel action.
The capacitive keyboard exploits the variation in dielectric capacity typical of capacitors on the screen itself. A voltage is applied to the four corners of the panel, which spreads evenly across the entire surface of the screen; when the finger touches the screen, a variation in surface capacity occurs, which is read by a matrix of capacitors positioned on a panel located below the surface of the keyboard.
Topflight capacitive keyboards can be made of polyester, polycarbonate or plexiglass and leave ample room for designers to create a wide variety of graphic customisations and striking, effective backlighting.
Features:
• Touch sensitivity: capacitive keys do not require pressure to detect touch and are therefore not subject to mechanical wear, but their sensitivity remains virtually unchanged over time.
• Robustness: capacitive sensors made of plastic materials have excellent resistance to drops and accidental damage.
• Lifespan: capacitive keyboards have a very long lifespan as the keys are not subject to bending or mechanical action, but are operated with a light touch or swipe.
• Hygiene: capacitive keyboards are easy to clean and therefore suitable for use in environments with particularly demanding hygiene requirements.
Technical Solutions
SCREEN PRINTING
Keyboards can be produced in any design and colour with the graphics screen-printed beneath the surface of the material. This option offers a wide range of choices, from simple two-colour printed panels to elaborate multi-colour printed panels. Printing beneath the surface of the material ensures excellent resistance to wear and scratches on the screen-printed parts.
Topflight Italia can screen print any colour from the Pantone or Ral catalogues, or can print specific shades requested by the customer, thanks to the use of a spectrophotometer, a special device capable of reading the colour sample and processing the respective ink formula to obtain the exact shade.
DIGITAL PRINTING
For rapid prototyping or low-volume production, the aesthetic mask can be printed digitally. This solution avoids the need for traditional equipment, thereby reducing equipment costs, as well as offering the possibility of achieving four-colour effects with high print resolution.
COSMETIC MASK
To ensure the high quality of its membrane keyboards, Topflight uses only tested, high-quality materials that guarantee durability over time. The type of material to be used is chosen based on the technical characteristics of the application.
The materials are as follows:
- POLYESTER
- TEXTURED
- GLOSSY SCRATCH-RESISTANT
- SEMI-GLOSS ANTI-REFLECTIV AND SCRATCH-RESISTANT
- ANTIMICROBIAL WITH UV TREATMENT
- POLYCARBONATE
- GLOSSY
- SATIN
- SCRATCH-RESISTANT AND ANTI-REFLECTIVE
TACTILE FEEL KEYS
Keyboards with tactile feedback can be supplied on request. This can be achieved using two different systems, depending on the type of use to which the keyboard is subjected: capsule tactile feedback; bubble tactile feedback.
Capsule tactile sensation
This is achieved by inserting special triangular stainless steel domes underneath the key.
Bubble tactile sensation on a circuit (most economical solution)
This is achieved by thermoforming the material using the embossing system. Contact is made directly under the aesthetic part.
Bubble tactile sensation on double circuit (most reliable solution)
This is achieved by thermoforming the material with the embossing system. The bubble sensation is created on the aesthetic part, while the contacts are on a special circuit underneath.
POCKETS CUSTOMISATION
For keyboard customisation requirements, pockets are made for inserting variable texts, such as lettering and logos, even on the keys. This solution is ideal when you want to create a standard keyboard, thus reducing production costs, with multilingual texts or multiple logos. For customisation inserts, we recommend plastic film (polycarbonate) or cardboard.
They can be inserted using two systems:
- Side insertion
The insert is inserted from the side through an external slot located on the side or under the keyboard. The insert can be replaced at any time, even with the keyboard attached to the support. - Internal insertion
An internal pocket is created without a slot connected to the outside. In this case, the keyboard is supplied with the mask partially assembled, so that the customer can insert the insert and then completely seal the aesthetic mask once the operation is complete. Once inserted, it cannot be removed.
CONNECTORS
Membrane keyboards are normally supplied complete with crimped connectors:
- 2.54 mm pitch female connector complete with plastic housing
- 2.54 mm pitch male connector. Complete with plastic housing.
- solder connector
Alternatively, the track terminals are left uncovered for the use of ZIF connectors..
DISPLAY WINDOWS AND LEDs
It is possible to create transparent areas that allow you to see the parts underneath. This makes it possible to obtain transparent windows, coloured with display filters (red, green, blue, smoked) and backlit keys using both traditional systems and SMD LEDs inserted directly into the keyboard. These areas can also be produced in two configurations:
- disappearing effect
- colour variation
Texturing is also normally carried out, a special anti-reflective and anti-scratch treatment that hardens and structurally modifies the aesthetic surface of polycarbonate or polyester. This operation is carried out using special machines in the presence of nitrogen, ensuring long-lasting treatment.
THERMOFORMING
On request, we can provide raised edges, keys, markings or other elements, thus highlighting the desired parts by touch. This technique also allows the creation of keyboards for blind people using the Braille alphabet. Topflight performs this operation using an exclusive system that guarantees maximum quality and durability.
INTEGRATED SMD LEDs
When there are space requirements on the electronic board or a need to simplify component assembly times, SMD LEDs incorporated directly into the keyboard circuit are definitely the ideal solution. They are available in various colours and with different light intensities. The standard colours are as follows: yellow, red, green, blue, orange. Normally, thermoforming is carried out on the aesthetic mask in correspondence with the LED, for a more suitable LED placement, to improve light diffusion and to reduce the thickness of the membrane keyboard. However, LEDs can be assembled inside the keyboard, leaving the aesthetic part flat without thermoforming. In this case, the thickness of the keyboard is greater.
