The Necessity and Importance of Prototyping Membrane Switches

The importance of prototyping for membrane switches

Prototypes are important for quality control and communication with customers in the field of membrane switches. Their roles are mainly reflected in the following two aspects:

• Prototypes can help customers check various information contained in documents in order to make timely modifications, such as fonts, patterns, colors, etc. Color is the most difficult to control in prototyping, as different panel materials and ink thickness can cause changes in sample color.

• Prototypes can be used as a contract between customers and membrane switch manufacturers. Contract prototypes should provide colors that are accurate to the final tactile membrane switch, and it is best to produce the contract samples shortly before mass production begins to prevent fading or distortion due to prolonged storage time.

• Prototyping is a process that connects pre-press production to printing, enabling users to visualize the final effect of the membrane switch before mass production. It can provide standards for membrane switch manufacturers' entire membrane switch production process, and provide strong guarantees for the improvement of membrane switch quality.

Two prototyping methods for membrane switches

Soft prototyping

Soft prototyping is achieved on a color display, and is undoubtedly the most convenient, fastest, and cheapest prototyping method, requiring high precision and correct calibration of the color display. A disadvantage of the soft prototyping method for waterproof membrane switches is the low resolution, only 72dpi, and the accuracy of color depends on the performance and calibration of the display and metallic color cannot be accurately reflected. It cannot provide reference for the membrane switch production process in Dongguan factory.

Traditional prototyping

Requires the output of film and the making of screen plates, and then completes the prototype on a screen printing machine. The fabrication process of the prototype plate and the mass production plate in traditional prototyping is the same. Prototype and volume production use the same file data, and potential problems such as turtle pattern, color, and font pattern can be found through prototyping.

For inquiries and purchases of waterproof membrane switches, membrane panels, and other products, Dongguan Niceone Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. welcomes your inquiries and patronage. We look forward to cooperating with you and are committed to providing you with more product knowledge and information about membrane switches. We are very willing to serve you and look forward to your visit!