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The graphic overlay indicates the location of the keys and is the esthetic component of the keypad or device. Bolin selects the best inks and most appropriate materials to manufacture them. Graphic overlays, which are particularly necessary for membrane switches, are also useful for instruments with mechanical keys, product identification, labels, and dashboards.

The image is silk screened and placed behind a transparent surface, ensuring permanent identification.

Materials

The most widely used materials are polycarbonate and polyester.
Polyester :

• Highly versatile for embossing
• Highly resistant to chemicals
• Better durability
• For internal and external use

Polycarbonate :

• Wide range of surface finishes and thicknesses
• More cost-effective
• For internal and external us

The material loses its chemical resistance if embossed.
Finishes:

• Gloss :
  • Is very similar to glass
  • Easy to clean
  • Allows for the use of clear windows
• Textured :
  • Print and scratch resistant
  • Available in different glosses, from semi-gloss to matte

Available in a variety of finishes (suede, velvet, brushed, etc.)

Embossing

Graphic overlays can be embossed in order to insert domes (tactile), leave space for mechanical keys and provide tactile indications.

• Pedestal embossing
• Rim embossing
• Pillow embossing
• Dimple embossing : Braille

Windows

Graphic overlays for devices that have a display are equipped with a window. The transparency of the window can vary depending on the materials uses and the specific requirements of your project. Bolin can also print colours and transparent finishes.

Adhesive

The choice of adhesive depends on the surface on which the graphic overlay is bonded. The thickness depends on the texture. Bolin design your graphic overlay for maximum bonding

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Our membrane switches (tactile and non-tactile) are designed for applications that require a superior level of reliability, incredible resistance and long useful life. Each stage of the manufacturing process is completed with no compromises so as to ensure maximum efficiency and safety. We monitor every minute detail of every aspect of the work, including aesthetic and ergonomic design, leak resistance, scratch and chemical resistance, tactile effect, conductivity and more Materials

Keys

Tactile keys

What tactile effect do you need?
Tactile domes produce an audible click when activated. The domes are available in several sizes and activation strengths ranging from 8 to 20 mm and from 225 to 450 g (8 to 16 oz).

Non-tactile keys
Activation on a keypad with no tactile domes is quicker and more sensitive.

LED

Bolin generally uses miniature LEDs with a thickness of 0.020″ for keypads that require indicator lights. They are available in several colours: white, yellow, orange, green, red, etc.

Cable

The cable is an extension of the printed circuit and is used to communicate with your device. We offer several types of connectors.

• Zero insertion force (ZIF) connector
• Female connector
• Female connector with latch
• Male connector
• Solder connector

Shielding

Gasket seal
A gasket seal is used to protect the conductors against humidity and splashes. When humidity seeps into an unprotected membrane switch, migration and oxidation of the conductors can occur. Bolin recommends adding a seal as a precaution if there is humidity or liquid present. EMI / RFI / ESD Shielding

• EMI : Electro-magnetic interference
• RFI : Radio frequency interference
• ESD : Electro-static discharge

An aluminum foil shielding is laminated to the circuit to absorb electro-static discharges. The ground can be connected to the switch cable or be separated as a stand-alone cable. If there are transparent windows on your graphic overlay (LCD display for instance), it is possible to use a clear ITO electrical conductive polyester which will provide the same protection as the aluminum shielding.

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The backlighting of membranes switches or graphic overlays can create create a dramatic visual effect especially in low-light environments.

There are many ways in which to backlight your membrane switch. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. We provide our customers with five different options so you can find the perfect system to meet your backlighting needs.

Phosphorous ink

This ink is silkscreened under the graphic overlay. When exposed to a light source, it stores energy that it uses to glow in the dark. This lighting is affordable and recommended for instruments that are in the dark for short periods of time only.

• Cost-effective
• Does not require electrical power
• Excellent for highlighting a word, key or logo
• Short periods of time in the dark

LEDs

LEDs are ideal for lighting windows or specific elements. They are placed on the circuit and Bolin regularly combines them with clear inks and diffusers.

• Very bright
• Excellent for lighting an element or window
• Long useful life

Embedded LEDs-provide the most affordable method for backlighting. They are most commonly used as indicator lights. It is also feasible to use LED’s as a backlight for small icons & symbols. With larger icons & symbols it is difficult to achieve uniform backlighting with embedded LED’s.

Electroluminescents

Electroluminescents consist of phosphorus particles printed on a polyester sheet. The particles light up when an alternative current (AC) is applied; this produces flexible, slim lighting that is easy to incorporate into a keypad.

• Flexible
• Illuminates wide areas
• Thin .010’’
• Uses alternating current

Optical fibre

Optical fibre consists of a fibre laid flat on a reflector and light source, usually a LED. It is placed directly under the graphic overlay and may be used to light the surface partially or completely.

• Flexible
• Long useful life
• Thin ± .013’’

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Bolin also manufactures backplates in aluminum, polycarbonate or acrylic, according to your specifications. We also provide a more comprehensive service, which consists in assembling the backplates with your membrane switches. All switches are tested and inspected after the final assembly, thereby eliminating the possibility of rejected units due to handling errors.

• Holes, stand-offs and studs
• Aluminum options: bare, alodined, painted or anodized
• Flat or formed to your specification

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Our professional series of products with metal keyboard, metal PC keyboard, metal pinpad , metal keypad, , metal function keypad, metal trackball, metal touch pad, etc. Our products meet NEMA 4, 4X and IP65 and IP68 specifications, making them vandal proof, resistant to dust, dirt, water and corrosive liquids. Are widely used in finance, Telecom/Media, Government /Defense, Universities and Academia, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Chemicals, Food & Beverage, Healthcare, Transportation-Automotive, Utilities & Resources and other industries.

• Bolin has the following major features:
• Support USB as well as RS232 serial port connection
• Support external eight functions keys, beeper and guide light
• Support all kinds of keypad layout,
• Support multiple encryption/decryption algorithms, such as DES/3DES ECB/CBC encryption/decryption, DES/3DES MAC calculation and RSA
• Support common DES/3DES PIN formats, such as ANSI, ISO0, ISO1, ECI2, ISO3, IBM3624, DIEBOLD, DIEBOLDCO
• Support unlimited length of data for DES/3DES encryption/decryption and MAC calculation
• Come with a full function, easy-to-use Windows NT/2000/XP compliant device driver
• Be XFS ready, with standard XFS 2.0 and XFS 3.0 Service Providers
• Secure, complete and flexible encryption key management architecture and technology
• Support tamper detection and protection etc security mechanisms
• Work on self-service terminals such as ATMs, Kiosks and all other terminals which require secure PIN entry

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Conductive rubber keypads is compression-molded silicone rubber actuators with or without a conductor on the bottom of each key; and offer an alternative look and feel to more common polyester or polycarbonate overlays. They, too, are always used in conjunction with a printed circuit board or flexible circuit. It is the flexible circuit or PCB that provides the circuitry traces while the rubber keypad acts as the overlay and shorting pad.

Characteristics and advantages

• Stability over a wide temperature range; excellent weatherability
• Moisture resistance
• Environmental sealing
• Easy to add color
• Screen printable
• Chemical, oil and solvent resistance
• Corrosion resistance to chemicals and ozone
• High compression
• High resilience
• Wide hardness range, 10-80 Shore A
• Vibration and shock absorption
• Multi-durometer capacity
• Complex key shapes
• Wide range of actuation forces and travel
• Injection molded hard/soft urethane key tops
• High thermal conductivity
• Very high electrical resistance
• Low tooling cost UL 94VO options

Typical Components of a Conductive Rubber Keypad

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Soft circuits can be developed using polyester or polyimide as the base material, depending on your interface requirements. From simple single layer copper flex on polyester to complex double-sided on polyimide, Bolin Input Components rapidly provides customers with application-specific solutions.

Trace Width

Standard line width-0.25mm, minimum 0.10mm
Standard trace pitch-0.50mm, minimum 0.20mm
Minimum space between-circuits 0.10mm

Plating

Tin-lead, nickel, gold

Component Assembly

Connector crimping
Soldering of components

Base Material

Polyimide: standard thickness-1mil 2mil and 1/2 mil available
Polyester: standard thickness-3mil 1mil, 2mil and 5mil available
Conductor: laminated ED copper or RA copper-standard thickness 1 oz (1.4mil/0.035mm) 1/2 oz and 2 oz available
Coverlay: polyimide, polyester or solder mask thickness-1/2 mil, 1mil, 2mil, 3mil or 5mi

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IMD（In-Mole Decoratiom）

IMD injection mold decorative inlay technology is the printed film forming, mounted on the injection mold cavity and injection molding die. Injection molding resin in the back of the film combined with the ink layer, the panel illustrations, logos placed in the film and injection molding resin, illustrations, logos or no friction and wear of time. It is based on injection molding, its shape, size can be maintained stable and easy assembly, the IMD technology is often used in the automotive, communications, electronics, electrical appliances, instruments, apparatus, the panel, set decorative and functional in a . Its product characteristics: exquisite decorative illustrations, containing identification, without friction or chemical corrosion disappeared illustrations, logo design and color can be changed at any time, without the need to replace the mold; three-dimensional shape of products, printing Accuracy accurate, error +0.05 mm; to provide illustrations, logos back translucent and high transmittance of the window effect; function keys convex bubble uniform, feel good life up to 1 million times more; three-dimensional changes , the designer of the product design to increase the degree of freedom; composite molding process to achieve a seamless effect. Its application areas: appliance industry: rice cookers, washing machines, microwave ovens, air conditioners, refrigerators and other decorative control panel; electronics industry: Mp3, Mp4, calculator, VCD, DVD, personal digital assistants, digital cameras, etc. Shell surface decoration, color covers and signs;

IMD characteristics

• scratch resistance, solvent-related, and long service life.
• good sense of three-dimensional.
• pictorial clarity.
• dust, moisture resistance and good.
• Dimensions design flexibility.

Raw materials

Film: dealt with the high temperature PET
Resin (by injection): PC, ABS, PC + ABS, PMMA, P