What are Copper Flex Membrane Switches?
FPC Copper Flex membrane switches can be produced using polyester or polyimide as the base material, depending on your interface requirements. A very thin sheet of copper is laminated to the flexible film substrate then chemically etched away, leaving copper traces. The etching process is not environmentally friendly due to the chemicals used, and is also more expensive than screen printing the silver traces used in Silver Flex membrane switches. Copper Flex switches can be constructed as:
- Single-sided – conductive traces one side of the film substrate
- Double-sided – conductive traces both sides of the film substrate
- Multi-Layer flex – a laminated “sandwich” of numerous layers with conductive traces
- Rigid-Flex – a laminated combination of a Copper Flex switch with a rigid FR4 PCB membrane switch
What are the Advantages of Copper Flex Membrane Switches?
Copper Flex membrane switches are ideal for smaller designs where dense circuit patterns or trace routing limitations exist. This design also allows the ability to accommodate the complex circuit patterns of a FR4 rigid printed circuit board with the flexibility of a membrane switch. Copper Flex keypads also have the advantage of being able to hard solder active and passive components into the assembly, making it a good choice in high-vibration, high-reliability environments.
What are the Copper Flex Membrane Switch Design Options & Considerations?
- Single-sided, double-sided, and multi-layer designs available
- Lower electrical resistance and higher conductivity vs. traditional Silver Flex membrane switches
- Tight trace routing capabilities
- Same thin profile and flexibility as Silver Flex Membrane Switches
- Plating options can be tin-lead, nickel, or gold
- Tactile and non-tactile with either metal or polyester tactile domes
- Pillow or rim-embossed graphic overlays
- LEDs and other components can be soldered and are more robust
- Graphic overlays that can be digitally printed, screen printed, or a combination of both
- The graphic overlays can incorporate transparent and tinted display windows, as well as selective textures and UV hardcoat surface finishes
Comparison Chart
Characteristic | Silver Flex | Copper Flex |
Printing vs. Etching | Conductive silver ink traces are screen printed onto the film substrate. | A sheet of copper is chemically etched away, leaving conductive traces. More expensive than screen printing. |
Pliability/Weight | Silver traces are lightweight and more flexible than solid copper traces. | Solid copper traces are heavier and more durable than softer printed silver traces. |
Conductivity | Resistivity approx 50 mOhms/sq | Lower electrical resistance and higher conductivity. |
Price | Low to Moderate | Expensive to very expensive |
Soldering | No. Components are attached with conductive adhesive. | Ability to solder active and passive components into the switch design. |
Pitch | Minimum of 1.0mm | Possible pitch 0.5mm and 0.3mm for ZIF connector |
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Our Service & Advantage
ISO9001:2008 Quality Assurance System
Over 10 years customized manufacturing experience.
Sample is free, you just need to bear the shipping cost.
Customized sourcing, purchasing & manufacturing service.
Help clients to upgrade their design & improve the quality of products.
Original Equipment Manufactruing (OEM) & Original Deisgn Manufacturing (ODM)are welcome.
Our sample:
Welcome to Nanjing Momao(Flexkys) Electronic Technology Co., Ltd
Nanjing Momao Electronic Technology Co., Ltd is a customer-oriented manufacturer with 10 years of experience in manufacturing qualified membrane switch products, including silver flex membrane switch, PCB/FPC/silicone rubber membrane keypad, graphic overlay, display window diaphragm, ect.
Nanjing Momao Electronic Technology Co., Ltd possesses advanced production equipment, skilled management personnel and well-trained workers. Every production process is in compliance with the standards of IS0 9001: 2008 strictly. We established a complete quality management system, to ensure strictness and close linking from raw material procurement to deliver. We introduced advanced computer testing equipment to ensure our product qualified.
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Certification
Product
Flexkys at Global Sources Electronic Components Show 2016
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1. How to make an order?
Please tell us your material,artwork design,logic circuit principle chart,size,surface,usage etc. And better send us the design drawing or samples together with other detailed datas, then we’ll customize the membrane switch upon your requests.
2. Sample available?
Yes, but based on freight collect. Most of the items are customized for clients, so molding charge is needed.
3. How to guarantee the after sales service?
We will track the production situation of the goods during the whole process,we promise the goods will be shipped to you smoothly. If any problem happened, we will provide the best solution for you.
4. Shipping ways & Delivery Time?
Shipping by: UPS/ Fedex /DHL /TNT or other ways specified.
Delivery time: 10~15 days after payment received.
5. Payment terms:100% T/T in advance.membrane switch membrane switch membrane switch