Elecflex

Solutions

HVAC Industry

Many keypads applications are used in harsh conditions which come from weather, place, surroundings or users. Those keypads have to be designed and assembled in a special way which differs from normal ones. To meet those requirements, ElecFlex provides the following solutions to build strong keypads surviving the worst usage conditions for a long time.

IP 68 protection

IP 68 means that the keypad has total dust ingress protection and it has to be suitable for permanent submersion in water.

Here is a real case from ElecFlex to let you know how we meet IP68 requirement. We have a customer whose keypad application is on the deck of boat, 7x24 outdoors, totally exposed to seawater, direct sunshine and rain. The keypads from the previous supplier always fail after half a year use. This customer asked us how to fight against this super high humidity. ElecFlex recommended a special adhesive used in vehicle industry, which does not need to be the strongest one, but has to be the most waterproof one (There is a trial ElecFlex performed on this adhesive --- after submerging the keypad with this adhesive underwater for 24 hours, the keypad was totally unharmed). By using this vehicle adhesive ElecFlex recommended instead of the current adhesive, our customer’s keypad has stayed perfect condition after a few years use. So, ask ElecFlex and you will get the know-how.

More examples for IP68 protection

- some devices need liberally washing with water, it is a real ordeal for your keypad. In medical industry, consumer electronics etc, this requirement appears frequently. Undoubtedly, TOP waterproof performance is a must in those applications.

- using rigid PCB or flexible PCB instead of conventional silver-printed circuit will substantially strengthen your keypad. ElecFlex’s excellent PCB design ability enables us to upgrade your keypad easily and cost-effectively.

Chemicals resistant

Keypads used in many industries need to be resistant to chemicals. For instances, in hospital, people clean the devices by using sanitizer or organic solvent. Furthermore, in chemical or laboratory industry, the devices stay with chemicals themselves. All those require special materials or printing techniques in keypad manufacturing process. After successfully serving many customers who have chemical-resistant needs, ElecFlex is totally aware of how to reduce the harm from chemicals to as little as possible.

Anti-oxidation

In many cases, like high current, high humidity, high corrosion, conventional silver circuits oxidation will be considerably accelerated. That will reduce keypad’s life unacceptably. To solve this problem, ElecFlex will be using copper based circuit board with tightest sealing techniques instead of conventional silver circuit. It is proved this substitution effectively prolongs keypad’s life in numerous projects. By the way, it does not cost much.

Anti-ESD, anti-RFI solution

Under dry conditions, particularly in winter, electrostatic discharge is very likely to damage the components. ElecFlex provides special sealing treatment to protect the components embedded in the keypads and ensure they are not interfered or damaged by electrostatic discharge. Besides sealing treatment, covering a conductive layer over the circuit is another cost-effective method to do anti-EDS/RFI job. For this solution, ElecFlex will be using aluminum film or silver/carbon printed grid acting as a shield over the circuit. In some other cases, a grounded trace around the perimeter of the circuit layer is also an effective way for ESD shielding. Just contact ElecFlex to find the most suitable anti-ESD/RFI solution for you.

Untender uses

In some cases, the user won’t use the keypad in a tender manner, like military, video game, machinery plant etc. The keypad has to be built strong enough to survive. How? Web page is not a good way, see you in ElecFlex!