30 Membrane Switch Manufacturers in 2023
This section provides an overview for membrane switches as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 30 membrane switch manufacturers and their company rankings.
Table of Contents
What Is a Membrane Switch?
Membrane switches use a sheet of PET film or other "thin film," which is what membrane means, as the contact point on a circuit.
Membrane switches are widely used as buttons for home appliances, inspection equipment, and other devices that require manual switch operation. Membrane switches have contacts on a switch circuit inside a thin film sheet. By manually pressing the thin film, the switch is connected.
Because the switch is not exposed to the outside air due to its structure, it can be said to be a very dustproof and waterproof switch. Membrane switches include products that use a disc inside to provide a clicking sensation when the switch is pressed and products with letters and numbers printed on a film on the surface. If we include detailed differences, there are a great variety of products.
Uses of Membrane Switches
Membrane switches are widely used for circuitous connections in products requiring manual buttons and switch pressing. Examples include home appliances, electronic devices, inspection equipment, laboratory equipment, and automotive parts. Membrane switches are also widely used in other products around us.
- Input parts for numbers and signs on calculators
- Buttons on household washing machines
- Operation buttons of OA equipment, such as copy machines and PC keyboards
- Buttons for wind- and rain-proof operation panels in coin-operated parking lots
When selecting a membrane switch, in addition to dustproof and waterproof properties that are the characteristics of membrane switches, various specifications required of switches, such as heat resistance, durability, and size, must be considered.
Principle of Membrane Switches
The principle of a membrane switch is based on the operation of a thin-film mechanical switch in which the upper contact sheet inside a thin-film surface sheet such as PET film is pressed by a finger against the lower contact sheet stacked via a spacer, and the contact points touch each other to energize the switch.
The surface sheet is the part that is touched by the user's hand and printed with numbers and letters; some products are waterproofed. A conductive button is attached to the upper contact sheet, and the components on the lower contact sheet are the button and circuit wiring to match the upper contact sheet.
The spacer is designed to prevent the button on the upper contact sheet from making contact with the button on the lower contact sheet under normal conditions and has a hole in it to match the button. When the button is pressed, the entire sheet is pushed in, and the contacts interact to energize. The backing sheet is used to bond the membrane switch to the device using the membrane switch.
This sheet configuration is the basis of membrane switches, but the surface sheet may also serve as the upper contact sheet, or an embossed or metal dome may be combined to achieve a clicking sensation.
Types of Membrane Switches
Many types of membrane switch structures accommodate their versatile and varied applications. The three basic types are as follows:
1. Flat Type
The flat type has a flat surface with no unevenness, making it easy to make it thinner. It also has the simplest structure and can be placed freely. However, there is no click feeling when the switch is pressed.
2. Embossed Type
The surface sheet has an embossed surface, which provides a click feeling and stroke when the switch is pressed.
3. Metal Dome Type
A metal plate called a metal dome is incorporated inside the surface sheet to create a mechanical clicking sensation.
Other Information on Membrane Switches
1. Membrane Switch with Built-in LED
Membrane switches are structurally multilayered, so LEDs can be mounted inside to facilitate visual recognition of the switch ON/OFF. The membrane sheet is made of transparent PTFE.
Membrane sheets are often made of transparent PET sheets, and when multiple functions are to be expressed using the emission colors of adjacent LEDs, it is necessary to devise the arrangement of LEDs and the internal layer structure to prevent light leakage.
2. Membrane Switches for Automotive Applications
Membrane switches are used in automotive applications and are used in sensor applications to detect occupants. With the introduction of mandatory seat belt use, automakers have built systems to encourage passengers to fasten their seat belts.
Membrane switches are embedded in the seat surface and activated by the seat surface's sinking when the occupant sits down. The system can detect whether a person is sitting on the seat by whether the membrane switch is activated or deactivated. Palm-sized membrane switches are often used to prevent malfunctions caused by uneven seating positions.
3. PC Keyboards
The current primary use of membrane switches is in PC keyboards. Wiring circuits for various switches corresponding to multiple keys are formed in a printing process on a large sheet covering the entire keyboard. Multiple conductive buttons are then attached and energized by pressing the keys.
A contrasting structure is a keyboard that uses a mechanical structure. A tactile feel characterizes mechanical keyboards because the keys are independent of each other. However, the complexity of the structure requires high cost, so it is relatively inexpensive to use membrane switches, which have a simple structure and are suitable for mass production. Membrane switches are now widely used in many PC keyboards because they can easily be made thinner and are dustproof and waterproof.
List of 30 Membrane Switch Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Canada
- Switzerland
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Howard J. Moore Company, Inc.
Membrane Switches
Company Overview
Howard J. Moore Company, formerly known as MROCO was founded in 1945 as a precision parts producer, is based in Plainview, New York, and is ISO 9001/2008 certified. Howard J. Moore serves a number of industries such as aerospace, electronics, avionics, tactical systems, machinery, microwave components, automotive, and radio communications. Howard J. Moore offers several production services such as die cutting, stamping, laser cutting, machining, printing, silk screening, plating, and 3D printing. Howard J. Moore performs these services with many output materials ranging from acrylic and aluminum to Zelux and Zytel.
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Onexia, Inc.
Membrane Switches
Company Overview
ONExia Inc is based in Exton, Pennsylvania and is a robotics integrator, custom machine builder, and industrial distributor. ONExia specializing in manual process automation and assists manufacturers of all sizes increase throughput with cutting edge technology. ONExia works with customers to develop turnkey custom machines including 2D & 3D vision system integration, software design & development, and machine safety services. ONExia uses robotics to automate line packaging. ONExia also offers robot palletizers that are compatible with new or existing packaging lines.
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SCHURTER
Membrane Switches
Company Overview
The SCHURTER Company was founded in 1933 and operates out of Lucerne, Switzerland. SCHURTER is an innovator and producer of electronic components for many markets including industrial equipment, medical equipment, automotive, avionics and space, data and communication, and energy. SCHURTER products and solutions include: circuit protection, connectors, switches, EMC, custom components, HMI solutions, PCAP touchscreens, resistive touchscreens, capacitive switches, membrane switches, and a series of smart products including Smart Connector DS11 PEM, Smart Connector DT31 external, and Smart Ecosystem.
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Quad Industries
MEMBRANE SWITCHES
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SSI Electronics
MEMBRANE SWITCHES
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Nelson Miller
Membrane Switches
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Membrane Switch Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of March 2023 in United States of America
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CoBex Recorders, Inc. | 22.2% |
| 2 | Industrial Print Technologies | 11.1% |
| 3 | Butler Technologies, Inc. | 11.1% |
| 4 | Nameplates for Industry | 11.1% |
| 5 | NOARK Electric North America | 11.1% |
| 6 | Eastprint, Inc. | 11.1% |
| 7 | Elite Technology | 11.1% |
| 8 | Trombetta, Inc. | 11.1% |
Ranking as of March 2023 Globally
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CoBex Recorders, Inc. | 22.2% |
| 2 | Industrial Print Technologies | 11.1% |
| 3 | Butler Technologies, Inc. | 11.1% |
| 4 | Nameplates for Industry | 11.1% |
| 5 | NOARK Electric North America | 11.1% |
| 6 | Eastprint, Inc. | 11.1% |
| 7 | Elite Technology | 11.1% |
| 8 | Trombetta, Inc. | 11.1% |
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the membrane switch page as of March 2023. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
- SSI Electronics: 1983 (40 years ago)
- Nameplates for Industry: 1975 (48 years ago)
- JN White: 1960 (63 years ago)
Company with a History
- SCHURTER: 1933 (90 years ago)
- Nelson Miller: 1937 (86 years ago)
- Bristol Tape Corporation: 1950 (73 years ago)
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