Membrane switch keyboards have become a popular alternative to traditional scissor-switch keyboards. They are characterized by the use of a membrane overlay. The membrane overlay is typically made of polyester. It features conductive traces that correspond with the switch contacts underneath the keys. Pressing a key will force the conductive traces for that key to touch an underlying switch contact. With their use of a membrane overlay, membrane switch keyboards offer several noteworthy benefits.
#1) Protection From Liquids and Debris
Unlike other keyboards, membrane switch keyboards are protected from liquids and debris. They don’t feature separate moving parts for their keys. Rather, membrane switch keyboards feature a single membrane overlay. As a result, nothing can penetrate past the membrane overlay. While other keyboards may succumb to damage from liquids and debris, membrane switch keyboards are protected from such damage.
#2) Tactile Feedback
Tactile feedback is another noteworthy benefit of membrane switch keyboards. You can find membrane switch keyboards in different styles. Nonetheless, most of them feature plastic key caps directly over the membrane layer. Pressing one of these plastic key caps will result in a physical sensation. Known as tactile feedback, you’ll be able to feel the key respond to your input.
#3) Inexpensive
Membrane switch keyboards cost less than many other types of keyboards. This is due in part to the materials from which they are made. Membrane switch keyboards are made of polyester layers, plastic key caps and other common materials. As a result, they are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, so they typically cost less than other types of keyboards. If you’re looking to buy a new keyboard without spending a fortune, you may want to choose a membrane switch keyboard.
#4) Low Profile
You may notice that membrane switch keyboards have a low-profile design. They support low-profile designs, resulting in a smaller and sleeker appearance than that of other types of keyboards. With their low-profile designs, membrane switch keyboards used in a variety of applications, including medical devices, milling machines, irritation controls and more.
#5) Available With Backlighting
Membrane switch keyboards are available with backlighting. Backlighting consists of a lighting system, such as light-emitting diode (LED). It’s used to illuminate the keys from underneath. You can find membrane keyboards with and without backlighting. Some of them even have backlighting with light guides. Light guides help to distribute the light of the backlighting more evenly.
