Membrane Keypads - Could they be replacing the mechanical keyboards?

If you use a computer or a laptop, you know how important it is to have a keyboard. Moreover, easy to use with better response time.

You might have come across the term, mechanical keyboard while searching for the best keyboards. Also, about membrane keypads, which are usually found in calculators and phones. You may have also seen them used by Hackers in a Heist Movie like Italian Job Or an action movie like Mission Impossible.

Does it ring any bells?

Whether it does or doesn't. Let's hop on and learn more about membrane keypads in this article.

What are membrane keypads?

Membrane keypads are flat surface touchpads and pressure pads,  with circuits running underneath them.

Uses of membrane keypads

We use membrane keypads in our daily lives regularly. Yes, you heard it, you use it every day. It might not be quite evident but yes you use it. They're on personal computers and some video game consoles. In some industrial computer systems where the QWERTY keyboard is used. They're used in personal digital assistants and specialized membrane keyboards with minimal function keys and are used in access control systems in buildings and in some restricted areas.

How do membrane keypads work?

When the key-top areas are pressed on the membrane keypad, it makes an electrical contact which then transfers information through the circuit underneath the keypad surfaces.

Can membrane keypads work underwater?

Some Rubber membrane switches work underwater because they are carefully made with the relevant adhesives and by securely sealing the electrical components, they can be made waterproof.

Are the membrane keypads better than mechanical keypads?

For daily use and ease of operation, mechanical keypads are more preferred than membrane keypads. These are the same ones that you find on a keyboard. If you like how it feels when you use a keyboard, the sturdy feeling, and the ease with which you use it. You may realize why they are preferred more than that.

Membrane keyboards are not preferred much, because the feedback from the keypads is quite less, as compared to Mechanical ones. They have no sound, no spring, no lever, just a basic foldable membrane that has a circuit. That makes it easy to carry anywhere. But, if you are all about the satisfaction and sound that comes after you click, then Mechanical ones are the ones for you!

A perfect example of a membrane keypad is that of a calculator or a washing machine panel or a microwave panel.

A lot of innovation is being made in this segment by the various Flexible Membrane Keypads manufacturers.

For how many years do membrane keypads last?

The lifespan of a good membrane keypad as compared to the mechanical ones is quite higher. They basically have a rubber surface that connects to a circuit point beneath it.

Most of the Membrane Keypads can last up to 1-1.5 years as compared to their counterparts.

The reason why Mechanical Keyboards don't last much is that they have a lot of parts to hold and maintain.

There isn't much difference between the membrane keypads and the mechanical ones. Apart from the keys and the feedback that is given while using them.

Although the technical world is moving at a fast pace and better innovations are done all the time. We can see more responsive and experience-enhancing membrane keypads because the future that we are heading onto is all about minimizing parts and increasing effectiveness at the same time.