Are you thinking about purchasing a silicone rubber keypad? Whether it’s for personal or commercial purposes, you should choose the right type. While all silicone rubber keypads feature an elastic webbing of silicone rubber material around a switch, there are different types of silicone rubber keypads, each of which offers their own unique advantages. To help you choose the right type, we’ve compiled a list of five important things to consider when choosing a silicone rubber keypad.
#1) Profile
The profile of a silicone rubber keypad refers to the depth of its buttons. If a silicone rubber keypad has a low profile, it means the buttons are relatively short or even flush with the keypad itself. Low-profile keypads are often preferred over those with a tall profile because they are slimmer and more compact. As a result, they can be used in more applications, including small electronic devices and machine control systems.
#2) Corner Radius
Something else to consider when choosing a silicone rubber keypad is the corner radius. Corner radius refers to the symmetry of the button corners. Here at Nelson-Miller, our silicone rubber keypads are designed with an exceptionally sharp corner radius of 0.5 millimeters. With a sharp corner radius such as this, keypads look cleaner with a more concise design. Furthermore, many people will agree that keypads with a sharp corner radius are easier to use than their counterparts.
#3) Graphics
Of course, you should also consider what type of graphics a silicone rubber keypad supports. Graphics are used to identify and define the keypad’s various buttons and keys. Without high-quality graphics, you won’t be able to easily see or recognize the keypad’s buttons.
#4) Backlighting
Like other keypads, silicone rubber keypads support several backlighting solutions. The most common backlighting solutions used in silicone rubber keypads include light guides or light-emitting diode (LED), both of which offer superior illumination while consuming a minimal amount of energy. But there are other backlighting solutions available for silicone rubber keypads, including fiber optic and electroluminescent (EL).
#5) Laser Etching
Finally, consider whether or nor a silicone rubber keypad supports laser etching. What is laser etching exactly? The term “laser etching” refers to the use of a high-temperature laser that literally melts select areas of a keypad’s surface. It’s performed to improve the appearance and overall functionality of silicone rubber keypads. With laser etching, some of the keypad’s top layer is burned away, thereby revealing the backlight embedded underneath.
