What is a Membrane Switch Panel?

A membrane switch panel is the combination of a membrane switch and an aluminum back panel. A membrane switch is an electrical switch for turning on and off a circuit. It differs from a mechanical switch, which is usually made of copper and plastic parts: a membrane switch is a circuit printed on a heat stabilized polyester film. The ink used for silk screening printing is usually silver or graphite filled and therefore conductive. The ASTM defines a membrane switch as a momentary switch device in which at least one contact is on, or made of, a flexible substrate.

The graphic overlay component of a membrane switch panel can be silk screen printed or digitally printed. Digitally printed graphic overlays can be imaged on HP Indigo digital printers or some of the new UV flatbed digital printers such as our Raster Daytona. The difference in the two printing technologies is the UV flatbed inks are much more resistant to UV light than are the HP Indigo inks and therefore more suited to outdoor applications.

The aluminum back panel is a critical component of a membrane switch panel. It can be manufactured with a variety of studs, holes and stand-offs depending on the application. Another crucial component is choosing whether the aluminum must be bare, alodined, painted or anodized.

Many companies claim to be experts in membrane switches but few can provide entire membrane switch panels. No competitor can equal the combination of Pannam’s expertise in membrane switches as well as its metal fabrication capabilities. Most membrane switch companies outsource their aluminum back panels to outside metal fabrication houses while Pannam does all metal fabrication in house giving you a sigle vendor for your membrane switch and panel.

Pannam’s experienced engineering group can help guide you through this most important process. Let us help you design your membrane switch panel today!