• Tactile and Influential
• Elastomer Overview and Applicability
• Elastomeric Development and Conformity
• Design Factors in Elastomerics

1.

Tactile feel: Variations in material durometer and boot design to achieve a specific tactile response in key geometry.

2.

Color: Working with industry standard color references and final design criteria to match colors to specific end requirements.

3.

Transparency: Used for LED backlighting, non-visual elastomerics or special processes — developing the correct location and degree of transparency is key to the final product lighting characteristics.

4.

Sealing considerations: Wrap around over molding, ribbing among the keys for localized sealing, bezel design and its relationship with the elastomer — among many considerations in the process of sealing an assembly to withstand environmental requirements.

5.

Matte finish: Most elastomerics come with a standard matte finish that is the end result of the degree of finish applied to the mold. In some cases the final finish is hid beneath the bezel or plastic key and therefore not a factor — but in other cases it is open to the eye. Defining the correct degree of tool finish can ultimately mean savings in tooling costs and no compromise to the look of your final product.

6.

Asthetics or cosmetic requirements: Final touches in the elastomeric development process are sometimes the key to the final end quality. These might be such items as epoxy hard-coat over the key cap, various seal-plast finishes for wearability and custom over-mold applications.

7.

Legend applications: With many means of achieving the legend specifics you are looking for — specific considerations should be made for backlighting possibilities, longevity of legend wear, wear resistant inks, laser etching, legend color specifics and positive or negative image relationship with the background colors.