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Why Technigraphics?

Technigraphics will support you through every step of your rugged keypad project, beginning with design advice and ideas. You'll receive prompt, competitive price quotations with lead times that fit your production schedule. We then statistically monitor and control our production processes, inspecting 100% of your products electrically and cosmetically. You'll enjoy how easy we are to work with!

Keypads for Challenging Environments

Does your product need to function in a challenging environment? Temperature extremes? Outdoor exposure? Mechanical and/or operator abuse? Perhaps your product must withstand exposure to chemicals and solvents? If so, then Technigraphics has a solution for you.

Dynapic Piezo Membrane Switches

When your product requires the ultimate in keyboard durability, reliability, as well as resistance to harsh and abusive environments, Dynapic® piezoelectric keyboards are the solution! This rugged keyboard technology enables us to produce your custom keyboard using a thick, durable, vandal-resistant overlay made of Metalphoto anodized or etched aluminum, stainless steel, thick plastic or even glass!

Dynapic is similar in design to a membrane keyboard, except that there are ceramic elements in the area of the keys. This means that when the overlay (which can be made from metal or glass) is pressed to produce the switching motion, it is non-tactile and does not deform. As a result, the Dynapic piezo keypads are extremely robust and durable. Resistance to vandalism, precise switching cycles and a high degree of operator comfort are among the most important features of this unique flat keyboard, which is based upon piezo technology. Zero-travel operation allows a simple and solid construction with minimum insertion depth. Also, the overlay can be chosen individually from a wide range of materials.

Benefits of Dynapic Piezoelectric Keypads:

Unsurpassed durability and vandal-resistance versus traditional membrane switches
Rated to exceed 10 million actuations
Chemical, temperature, and vandal-resistance
Suppression of electromagnetic interference
Resistant mechanical wear and tear
Unaffected by changes in air pressure
Various overlay materials can be used
Adjustable operating force

Typical applications:

washing machines
dishwashers
coffee machines
self-service kiosks
chemical and laboratory tools and equipment
bank cash dispensers
self-service vending machines
cashless payment appliances
weighing and cash machines
railway equipment

How Dynapic® Technology Solves Your Membrane Switch Problems

Problem	Traditional Membrane Switch Technology	The Dynapic® Solution
Switch failure due to piercing, denting, or scratching the graphic overlay.	Graphic overlay thickness is limited to .007 - .010" polyester or polycarbonate, which is easily pierced.	Graphic overlay can be anodized aluminum, stainless steel, thick polycarbonate or acrylic.
Switch failure due to tactile feedback problems.	Many switches are designed with tactile feedback, which can accelerate switch failure.	Eliminates tactile feedback to maximize switch life.
Switch failure due to constant material stress/flex and movement.	Can only work by moving materials through a spacer cavity, causing material stress.	No moving parts.
Silver migration, trace oxidation & air pressure equalization problems caused by air vents.	Air vents are required for proper switch function. Creates opportunity for contamination, oxidation, silver migration, & switch collapse (from pressure equalization).	Eliminates air vents.
Input speed for high volume data applications.	Slow input speed.	Fast input speed. Actuation pressure is controlled by electronics.

Dynapic® Electrical Operating Considerations

Dynapic® keyboards are "active" keyboards that emit an analog pulse as a signal. They require an electronic interface to convert the signal pulses. This can be accomplished in several ways:

Technigraphics can supply the complete interface either by using a special ASIC or by designing a custom interface circuit.
The customer can design their own interface circuit into the controller electronics of their product.
Technigraphics can supply the customer with a special ASIC and/or provide assistance to help the customer design their own interface circuitry.

Technical data

All data refers to typical values and is particularly dependent upon the construction.

Electrical values:

Voltage: typically 1 V/N (burden 10 MOhm)
Time constant width: typically 90 ms (burden 10 MOhm)
Capacitance: typically 9 nF

Mechanical values:

Typical aluminum overlay thickness: .020"
Mechanical loading: up to 200 N/cm²
Operating force: from 0.1 to 100 N
Required operation speed: approx. 10 N/s
Maximum cycles per second: > 1000 Hz
Storage temperature: -60 °C to +110 °C
Operating temperature: -40 °C to +80 C
Number of press cycles: > 10 million

When your product must withstand the most demanding environment, such as operator abuse, vandal-resistance, chemical and temperature extremes, consider Dynapic piezo keyboards from Technigraphics.

Super Rugged Keypads, Dynapic piezoelectric keyboards, Custom Keyboard, Dynapic Piezo Keypads

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Material Choices & Options

To get information and technical data on our materials, click here » › Material Info