C&K’s Ultra-Miniature Halogen-Free Tactile Switch now available from TTI, Inc.

Halogen-free plastics are fully recyclable, so the new switches enable customers to meet their commitments to the environment. KMT series switches are also one of industry's smallest top-actuated tactile devices, suiting them to use in a multitude of space-constrained applications including mobile phones, medical products, MP3 accessories and Bluetooth headsets.

Featuring an integrated push plate and a ground pin option for ESD protection, the SPST NO switches are available with gold and silver plating options and are specified for 150,000 electrical and mechanical life cycles. Actuator height is 0.2mm, and travel is 0.13mm. The integrated actuator allows for simpler button design while yielding an excellent tactile ratio of 30% (min), providing sharp feedback. Actuation force options are 1.6N (tactile ratio 30%) for mobile devices and 1.0N (tactile ratio 10%) for hearing aids and headsets. Operating temperature ranges from -40 to +85degC.

In a three way partnership with one major hearing aid manufacturer, TTI Inc. and C&K have produced a version of the KMT for hearing aids. Due to improved plating of the metallic surfaces of the KMT0xx series switch, the devices need less sealing against aggressive body liquids - such as sweat – which hearing aids are inevitably and routinely exposed to. This cuts costs and improves reliability.