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Membrane Switches and Graphic Overlays
Precision Switch Technology
Customized & Complete

Douglas Corporation delivers over 65 years experience meeting the exacting demands for high quality membrane switches and graphic overlays from the world's leaders in the appliance, electronic, automotive and other industries.

Today's environment of "Zero Defects", ISO, SPC, JIT delivery and other management concepts, all geared toward premium membrane switches and graphic overlays delivered on time, demands quality. That's why Douglas has developed company-wide practices which assure uncompromised production excellence on every program we're awarded. That means you can expect perfection in all facets of membrane switch and graphic overlay production...even down to color, finish and surface texture match.

We live and breathe precision. Whether your switch project involves a multi-tasking circuit design, assembly and surface mounted components or precise print registration — our skilled people put their knowledge to work everyday in an environment of total quality control at each stage of the process.

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We Provide:

• Custom design expertise.
• Single source manufacturing.
• Assembly of surface mount
 
components/circuit boards/backplates.
• Multi-tasking switch pattern designs.
• Custom molded boxes, bezels and
  frames with switch installation.
• Precise color matching and repeatability.
• Water resistant designs to Nema 4.
• 100% function testing of all circuits in-house.

Specifications:

Specifications will vary depending on materials, construction and circuitry. Please consult Douglas Engineering for specific characteristics.

Electrical
• Operating Voltage: 0-30 VDC.
• Operating Current: 100 MA Max.
• Operating Contact Resistance:
  Less than 100 OHMS typical
  (measured at the connector).
• Contact Bounce:
  Less than 10 Milliseconds typical.
• Conductors:
  Printed silver conductive inks or carbon blend
  (PC board assemblies available).
• RFI and Static Shielding
  available in most configurations.

Mechanical
• Life Expectancy: Douglas guarantees
 
1,000,000 actuations per switch
  position or 12 months.
• Actuation Force: 2 -12 oz. range available —
 
depending on customer specification.
 
(4 - 8 oz. is considered medium actuation
  force for non-tactile configuration).
• Switch Travel: .005" to .030" typical.
• Overall Thickness: .020" to .050" typical.

Environmental
• Storage Temperature:
  -40°C (-40°F) to +70°C (158°F).
• Storage Altitude: Sea level to 40,000 feet.
• Operating Temperature and Altitude:
  Variable depending on customer requirements
  (can be designed to operate in most environments).
• Humidity: No delamination after 24 hours
  at 85°C and 85%RH.
• The specifications above are general. For information
  on more specific applications, contact one of
  Douglas Corporation's design engineers.

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DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS:
Design freedom begins when you integrate membrane switches into your product. Because no single configuration can always meet your requirements, we will tailor your membrane switch and graphic overlay to fit the application and your specifications.

• Materials:
   Depending on the application and environmental
   requirements, Polyester and Polycarbonates are commonly
   used. Thickness ranges are .007" to .010". Blended
   materials and UV hardcoat surfaces are additional options.

• Selective Texturing:
   For hardcoats as well as aesthetic enhancement of the
   graphic overlay.

• Embossing:
  
Embossing of the key pads for key location can be
   achieved by full key pad embossment or rim embossment.

• Windows:
  
Transparent and deadfront display windows for viewing
   LCD and LED displays.

• Termination:
  
Tail termination is accomplished by snap fit connectors,
   solder tabs, or exposed silver tabs (.100" centers typical).

• Tactile Feedback:
  
Stainless steel domes range from 8-12mm. Poly domes are
   embossed onto a polyester layer or circuitry.

• Shielding:
  
Shielding from EMI/RFI can be accomplished by a layer of
   metallized polyester or by screening a layer of selective
   graphite ink.

• Backlighting:
  
Douglas offers several options for the various information
   readout devices available to fit customer requirements.

• Panel Cutouts:
  
Die cut holes and access for mechanical switches may be
   incorporated into membrane switch designs.

• Back-Plates and Printed Circuit Boards:
  
Available as a finished assembly with Douglas membrane
   switches.

• Environmental Design:
  
Applications subject to various degrees of moisture or high
   humidity are engineered and constructed accordingly.

• Graphic Design and Engineering Assistance:
  
Full service art and engineering departments are ready to
   provide complete or partial assistance in the aesthetic design
   of graphic overlays and the engineering of correct switch
   construction for your application.

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Quotation Request:

The more information supplied regarding application, requirements
and environment, the more accurate our quotation will be.
• Switch application.
• Quantities required for prototypes
   and production.
• Material requirements.
• Graphic overlay material,
   polycarbonate or polyester.
• Overlay finish requirement.
• Number of colors to be printed
   on graphic overlay.
• Overall dimensions or prints.
• Embossing requirements.
• Type of termination required and
   tail length.
• Dome type, if tactile feel is needed.
• Pinout requirements.
• Other special requirements.

ISO 14001:2004 and ISO/TS 16949:2002 CERTIFIED


Call us at 1-800-806-6113 for a
free copy of our capabilities CD!

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Quality product graphics, membrane switches and decorative trim since 1933.