Bex Design produces membrane switches with electromechanical specifications suitable for most industrial electronic control applications together with basic switches produced with four-layer construction.

We offer a wide range of options and features to enhance your membrane keyboard together with state of the art screen printing, colour matching, cutting, laminating and testing, in the development of keypad solutions.

Our Membrane Keypads are manufactured to the client's own specific design requirement, and tailored to the environment in which they will be operated. All membrane graphical overlays are sub-surface printed onto the highest industry approved materials.

Bex Design Services utilise the highest specification materials and adhesives suitable for fixing to a wide range of surfaces and environments. All electronic components are 100% tested prior shipping

Membrane Switches can be designed to resist moisture, with or without a tactile feel, Light Emitting Diodes (LED's) can be included in the membrane switch to provide an indicator light function.

Bex Design can also supply membrane keypads integrated with other hardware components, membranes can be laminated to sheet metal with associated mounting studs. Other design criteria can be hidden tilt lit windows, coloured filter windows, RF sheiding.

Overlays and Graphics are often printed on Polyester Standard and UV resistant grades of self-textured material, high and semi-gloss along with matt finishes, also antibacterial protection. For tactile features we cover processes of Embossed Rims, Embossing, De-Boss and Dome and Machined Finger Locator plate, which are laminated on top surface of graphic overlay. Static Layers do not flex during switch operation but carries one pole, both poles or used to short both switch poles together.

Printing on selective surfaces with lacquers creating texture, a high or semi-gloss and matt is not a problem for us here at Bex Design. Image graphics matched to requirements. Display windows translucent and transparent windows to accommodate LED, LCD, CRT, VFD, etc displays, dead front and secret until illuminated. Bex has a variety of printed and laminated options available to meet EMC and ESD requirements.

Other Features such as components surface mount LED's, resistors, diodes, electro-mechanical switches, Electro-luminescence (EL) Solid state, cool even illumination for displays, graphics and switches used in low ambient light conditions are covered by Bex. Together with chemical resistance and a combination of material coatings can enhance resistance to a variety of chemicals, solvents and cleaning fluids. Bex also provide environmental sealing, which can be modified subject to design considerations.

Membrane Switch Construction A Membrane Switch includes a graphic overlay layer, a spacer layer, a static layer, backside adhesive, printed circuit board connectors, and stainless steel snap domes. The top layer of a membrane switch is a graphic overlay. The graphic layer is usually a 2nd surface printed polyester material (or silicone rubber keypad).

Graphic overlays, and silicone rubber key pads can be constructed in a variety of ways, and have a variety of features. The Spacer Layer adheres to the static layer on one side and the graphic layer on the other. The Static Layer contains the circuitry in a basic membrane switch. Screen Printed conductive silver traces lead to the tail, and connector from the switch pole pairs. Insulating ink is printed in areas susceptible to shorting, and where conductive trace routing requirements necessitate crossovers.

Processing an Adhesive to the backside of the membrane switch is specified to achieve optimal adhesion to the surface on which its applied. For many surfaces, and environmental conditions a 50.8 mm adhesive optimized for high surface energy materials is paramount for example, 3M467MP. Bex Design cater for other surfaces, and environments by considering your environment and providing an adhesive that will be more appropriate.

Switches with tail connectors are compatible with standard .254 cm pitch thermoplastic printed circuit board headers, zif headers, as well as solder tabs 2.54 mm (.254 cm) pitch male and female connectors. These are available with single or double rows locking polarized and either locking or non-locking.

Bex Design also supply tails configured for zif connectors of different styles, pitches, and thicknesses. Here at Bex Design we also supply membrane switches with solder tabs (long or short, single or double retention). Metal Domes can be designed with a wide range of stainless steel snap domes; the majority of applications require 4 legged 12 mm square domes with trip forces of 280, 300, 400 or 450 grams. However other dome sizes are used in special situations.