electronica 2008 - knitter-switch - Switches

The new 2009 catalogue contains many new products, a new section devoted to encoders, a design guide for membrane products and keypads and contact information for all knitter-switch distributors.

On display at electronica 2008 will be a new series of rotary coded switches designed for a variety of control and automation system applications. The 60000 Series switches are available in standard, surface-mount or right-angle versions and provide the users with a good, quality switch “feel”. Four different codings are offered – BCD, BCD inverse, hexadecimal and hexadecimal inverse. They measure just 10 x 10mm with a body height of 6.5mm and are designed to be lead-free reflow solderable at up to 260ºC for a maximum of 5s. The switches will interest those manufacturers of industrial control and automation systems, building automation products and telecommunication systems.

Also on show for the first time will be the MAV Series of vandal-proof pushbutton switches. Offering protection up to IP67, MAV switches are made using stainless steel or chromium plated brass and suit outdoor applications and harsh industrial environments. Users can specify NO, NC and SPDT contacts with latching and momentary function and the switches can also be supplied with LED illumination as an option.

Along with the MAV Series, knitter-switch will also be introducing a market first - a rubber key which can be rapidly customised to suit a user’s exact application. The YSK Series offers a large range of electrical and mechanical features but without the high tooling costs normally associated with standard tactile switches. According to the company, customers can select from more than a million feature combinations. Contact ratings up to 300mA/12VDC are possible and operating temperature range is –40 up to +85ºC.

knitter-switch designs and manufactures membrane switches and rubber keypads for companies of all sizes all over the world and a section of the booth will be devoted to these unique products. The company can now offer designers a new type of man-machine interface by combining the key features of membrane and rubber keypads into a single, highly customisable, dual technology keypad. Membrane keypads offer very economic, small size, multi-layered, moisture sealed, self-adhesive mounting switching solutions which may be printed with graphics to match the end product. Rubber keypads have the advantages of better tactile “feel”, greater choice of form (shape and size of button or actuator), the ability to be backlit and are lower cost than membrane keypads.

This form of switching can be used economically for just a single switch through to a multi-key keypad. The surface of the final keypad may be flat or contoured and will sit on the end equipment like a label, minimising assembly time and cost. knitter-switch dual technology keypads save space, are very thin and have the facility to be backlit. With excellent tactile response for positive switching the individual keys may be domed and if required polyurethane coated for a robust finish which also protects any printed legends against wear. The complete keypad can be sealed to IP65 and is very simple to connect via a flexi-tail PCB terminated with the customer’s choice of male or female connector.

Typical applications for knitter-switch dual technology keypads include security access systems, environmental controls, industrial and factory equipment, medical systems and home automation.