Capabilities

What We Do

Whatever your interface needs, we can offer the solution. Our products are deployed across the world and operate in a huge range of environments and applications. From 30,000ft in the air to below sea level, we supply solutions that are at the forefront of technology with over 25 years of experience built into each and every unit.

Complete HMI Solutions

  • Flexible Polyester (PET) and Kapton (FPC) Membrane Keypads
  • Rigid PCB Membrane Keyboards
  • Capacitive Touch Panels
  • Proximity Sensing Membrane Keyboards
  • Touchscreens
  • Ruggedised Membrane Keypads & Control Panels
  • Graphic Overlays and Labels
  • Silicone Rubber Keymats and Silicone Rubber Keyboards
  • Housings, Enclosures ,Backplates, Fabrication and Finishing
  • Electronic, Mechanical and Complete Product Assembly

MKC In House UK Capabilities:

  • Technical Support from concept to manufacture
  • Development
  • Re-Engineering
  • Certification
  • NPI
  • Prototypes & Samples
  • Low & Medium Volume Manufacturing
  • Quick Turnaround
  • Electro / Mechanical / Complete Assembly
  • ISO 9001:2015 Approved

MKC Offshore Capabilities:

  • Reflecting MKC’s In House UK Capabilities with a focus on…
  • Sharing the same commitment to quality and service
  • Option of buying in US Dollars
  • Medium & High Volume Manufacturing
  • Air and Sea Freight Routing Options
  • ISO 9001:2015 Approved

Markets Served:

  • Medical
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Security
  • Access Control
  • Military
  • Marine
  • Instrumentation
  • Control Panels
  • Rail
  • Power Distribution

Flexible Membrane Keypads

The Membrane Keyboard Company Ltd manufacture flexible Membrane Keyboards and Membrane Keypads. Each Membrane Keyboard and Membrane Keypad is specifically produced to suit application and environment whilst offering fully customised graphic overlays and fascias.

Key features

  • Customised.
  • Application defined overlay, adhesive and material systems.
  • Polyester graphic overlay with selective material finishes (fine, velvet, gloss, UV resistant, Soft Touch, Ingrained stainless steel effect, anti-microbial).
  • Polycarbonate graphic overlay with selective material finishes (UL / FR resistant).
  • Non tactile response.
  • Embossed tactile response (dome, rim, plateau, de-emboss, braille), metal dome tactile response or combination.
  • Printed selective textures and finishes (clear window, tinted window, anti glare, secret til lit, phosphorescent).
  • Polyester (PET) circuit for generic matrixes.
  • Kapton Flexi (FPC) circuit for complex matrixes.
  • Embedded LED and Surface Mount (SMT) components.
  • EMC / RFI Shielding.
  • Backlighting.
  • Insert able legends
  • IP rated.
  • Panel Mounted.
  • Box Built.

Key Markets

  • Medical
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Security
  • Access Control
  • Military
  • Marine
  • Instrumentation
  • Control Panels
  • Rail
  • Power Distribution

PCB Membrane Keyboards

The Membrane Keyboard Company Ltd manufacture PCB based membrane keyboards and membrane keypads which offer a rigid and robust interface with the option for multiple electronic components, connectors and mechanical fittings.

Key features

  • Customised.
  • Application defined overlay, adhesive and material systems.
  • Polyester graphic overlay with selective material finishes (fine, velvet, gloss, UV resistant, Soft Touch, Ingrained stainless steel effect, anti microbial).
  • Polycarbonate graphic overlay with selective material finishes (UL / FR resistant).
  • Printed selective textures and finishes (clear window, tinted window, anti glare, secret til lit phosphorescent).
  • Embossed tactile response (dome, rim, plateau, de-emboss, braille), metal dome tactile response or combination.
  • Tact / Hard / Push / Rotary Switches.
  • Increased circuit tracking options.
  • Surface mount (SMT) and conventionally assembled electronic components.
  • EMC / RFI shielding.
  • Backlighting by RGB LED light tiles.
  • Insertable legends.
  • IP rated.
  • Mechanical fixtures and fittings.
  • Panel Mounted.
  • Box Built.

Key Markets

  • Medical
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Security
  • Access Control
  • Military
  • Marine
  • Instrumentation
  • Control Panels
  • Rail
  • Power Distribution

Graphic Overlays & Labels

The Membrane Keyboard Company Ltd manufacture Graphic Overlays and Labels in high quality materials with bespoke designs for a unique and functional representation of your product in the field.

Key features

  • Customised.
  • Application defined overlay, adhesive and material systems.
  • Polyester graphic overlay with selective material finishes (fine, velvet, gloss, UV resistant, Soft Touch, Ingrained stainless steel effect, anti-microbial).
  • Polycarbonate graphic overlay with selective material finishes (UL / FR resistant).
  • Printed selective textures and finishes (clear window, tinted window, anti glare, secret til lit, phosphorescent).
  • Embossed tactile response (dome, rim, plateau, de-emboss, braille).
  • Screen print.
  • Digital print.
  • Panel Mounted.
  • Box Built.

Key Markets

  • Medical
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Security
  • Access Control
  • Military
  • Marine
  • Instrumentation
  • Control Panels
  • Rail
  • Power Distribution

Silicone Rubber Keypads

The Membrane Keyboard Company Ltd supply Silicone Rubber Keymats which offer embedded engineering properties to suit application and environment.

Silicone Rubber Keymats can be produced in a variety of colours and finishes which make them perfect for a wide range of markets.

Key features

  • Product specific shore hardness, key travel and operational force.
  • Range of colours achieved by base material or paint.
  • Embedded tactile response via Mylar, Rubber, metal domes or fitted dome array.
  • Laser etched for key location in backlit applications.
  • Screen printing
  • Plastic key tops to improve durability and life cycle.
  • Epoxy cured key tops for resilience between user and key.
  • Fitted Polyester Circuit (PET) or Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC).
  • Membrane, PCB or Panel mounted.
  • Box Built.

Key Markets

  • Medical
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Security
  • Access Control
  • Military
  • Marine
  • Instrumentation
  • Control Panels
  • Rail
  • Power Distribution

Backplates, Enclosures, Housings and Fabrication

The Membrane Keyboard Company Ltd supply custom Backplates, Housings and Enclosures which can be fitted with Membrane Keyboards and Membrane Keypads, Graphic Overlays and Labels or as a box build solution with assembled on board Electronics and Displays.

Key features

  • Customised.
  • Manufactured in a range of metals (stainless steel, aluminium) with selective custom finishes (powder coat, painted, anodised) and internal & mechanical fittings.
  • Manufactured in a range of plastics (ABS, Polycarbonate, Hi-Impact Plastic) with selective custom finishes (EMC/RFI screening, painted, screen printed, engraved) and internal & external mechanical fittings.
  • Supplied with assembled interface and on board electronics.
  • Custom packaging.

Key Markets

  • Medical
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Security
  • Access Control
  • Military
  • Marine
  • Instrumentation
  • Control Panels
  • Rail
  • Power Distribution

 

 

Touchscreen and Display Solutions

The Membrane Keyboard Company Ltd supply custom and catalogue displays as a stand alone item or as part of a box build solution.

Working closely with leading manufacturers and with in house technical expertise we can recommend the most suitable display for your application.

Graphic and Touchscreen HMI Solutions

  • Capacitive Touchscreens.
  • Resistive Touchscreens.

LCD, OLED and TFT Displays

  • Passive Glass LCD Panels (catalogue range or custom design).
  • Character and Graphic LCD modules (catalogue range or custom design).
  • Twisted Nematic (TN). Super Twisted Nematic (STN) High contrast, wide angle view and range of backlight colours. Film Twisted Nematic (FTN) – Black and white STN with high contrast ration for large graphic displays.

Key Markets

  • Medical
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Security
  • Access Control
  • Military
  • Marine
  • Instrumentation
  • Control Panels
  • Rail
  • Power Distribution

Project Management & Electro-Mechanical Assembly

The Membrane Keyboard Company offers a design and assembly service which can take your product from concept through to volume manufacture.

We provide a single source solution which sets us apart from our competitors and provides our customers with a single cost centre.

Key Features

Project Management

  • New product development.
  • Existing product replication or innovation.
  • Electronic and Mechanical design.
  • Drawing creation.
  • BOM development.
  • Supply Chain Management.
  • Prototypes and samples.
  • Certification and approvals.
  • Production manufacture (spot buy, scheduled, call off, Kanban, E-Ban and stock holding).

Electronic Manufacture and Box Build Assembly

  • Full of part turnkey assembly.
  • Surface Mount and conventional electronic assembly.
  • Mechanical Assembly.
  • Panel build.
  • Box build.
  • Supply Chain Management.
  • Functional test.
  • Inspection.
  • Packaging.
  • Logistics.

Key Markets

  • Medical
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Security
  • Access Control
  • Military
  • Marine
  • Instrumentation
  • Control Panels
  • Rail
  • Power Distribution

CapTouch & ProxySense

CapTouch+ProxySense HMI Solutions

Bring your interface to life by incorporating intelligent Capacative Touch (CapTouch) + Proximity Sensing (ProxySense) technologies within your assembly.

>Custom designed to your specification

>Manufactured in the UK at our Fareham,Hampshire, Factory

>We can supply the interface alone through to a fully assembled unit.

>We can take care of the HMI, electronics and enclosure

Technical

From a single switch location to a keyboard of 16-20 keys or more, we use projected capacitive sensing for best reliability and repeatable detection.

Proximity function can operate at 20-40mm distance (programmable) and groups of buttons could be illuminated to assist in low light conditions, or to indicate that the equipment has sensed a hand/finger near the pad(s).  Individual outputs for proximity or grouped.

Keys can be latching/toggle or momentary function.

Sliders and rotary wheels can be incorporated (sliders typ 50 to 75mm length) to give an analogue function with a cap panel.

Low supply current (uA) & low current indicators possible for battery powered systems panels with a single master ON/OFF touchpad, and ability to switch into a ‘sleep’ / low current mode can be designed for a battery powered design that needs a dedicated power up/down output line.

Thicker window material can be used for impact resistance.

Can be used with tactile membrane keys incorporated onto the same panel.

Housing design can incorporate low cost replaceable cover acrylic for maintenance/repair.

Toughened glass can be used for high durability applications, for instance as a surround for a TFT or display with dedicated cap buttons.

We offer an SPI interface or direct logic output for interfacing to a host processor.

Supply, typ 3.3v from the host, Indicator LEDs from single, bi colour to RGB can be incorporated.

Auto calibration feature continuously adjusts the sensing to allow for long term changes in the environment and results in very stable outputs.

Sealed front panel, can be reverse mounted to front panel (non conductive is best, front panels utilizing metal/conductive components can be used with careful design).

For more information contact us via sales@membrane-keyboards.com , e-mail sales@membrane-keyboards.com or call us on +44(0)1329 281 091

Backlit Membrane Keypads-Embedded LEDs

Backlit Membrane Keypads-Embedded LEDs

Lighting Source:

Side Firing LED

Recommended Circuit:

Flexible Polyester (PET) or Flexible Kapton (FPC)

Background & Technical:

Create full & selective backlighting by incorporating Side Firing LEDs into a flexible Membrane Keypad. Ideal for light sensitive environments and applications where consistent diode emission is required for prolonged periods of time. Low operating temperature & power consumption, long life cycle and full customization make embedded LEDs an increasingly popular backlighting solution.

Custom Designed

No limits on X & Y dimensions. Maximum thickness 1mm

Shared characteristics with standard Membrane Keypads

Range of LED colours including white, blue ,red, orange,green,yellow plus bi-colour and tri-colour combinations.

Embossed or Non Embossed

Tactile or Non Tactile

Full, gradient and selective backlighting options including switch positions.

Seemless backlighting, no shadow or witnessing from domes.

Backlit Membrane Keypads-Light Tile

Lighting Source:

RGB LED Light Tile

Recommended Circuit:

FR4 Rigid PCB

Background & Technical:

Create full & selective backlighting by incorporating RGB LED                                Light Tiles onto your PCB Keypad Assembly (PCBA). Ideal for light sensitive environments and applications where consistent diode emission is required for prolonged periods of time. Low operating temperature & power consumption, long life cycle and full customization make RGB Light Tiles an increasingly popular backlighting solution.

Custom designed.

Maximum size of 700 x 700 x 3mm.

Hard wired to PCB board (2 x wires) with the light tile being adhered or screwed into position on the PCBA.

Can be manufactured to allow for mechanical fixtures & components on the PCBA and designed to fit around available land on the board.

No background noise like other backlighting solutions such as Electroluminescence (EL).

Further enhancements to the light effect can be achieved by adding selective tinting and secret-til-lit prints to the Graphic Overlay.

Typical Power Requirements Yellow, Red, Amber or Green LEDs: LED operation voltage circa 2.0V. Current circa 10mA~15mA no more than 20mA.

Blue or White LEDs: LED operation voltage circa 3.0V. Current circa 10mA~15mA no more than 20mA.

Other colours available.

sales@membrane-keyboards.com

www.membrane-keyboards.com

 

Rugged Interface Solutions

Designed to last in harsh environments and deployed in hard wearing settings, The Membrane Keyboard Company Ltd delivers fully customised Rugged Interface Solutions:

  • Custom Designed
  • Control Panels
  • Chassis+Control Panels
  • Indicator Panels
  • 19” Rack Control Panels
  • Mixed Technologies
  • Type Tested
  • Compliance Tested
  • Complete Supply Chain and Assembly Service

Key markets

  • Underground
  • Military
  • Construction
  • Security
  • Marine
  • Access Control
  • Rail
  • Marine
  • Power Distribution