Keyboard maker stakes future on films

The latest generation of hardcoated films, developed and produced by MacDermid Autotype, are playing a key role in helping Fascia Graphics maintain its position as the leading manufacturer of high-performance membrane switches, keypads and keyboards.

In particular, MacDermid Autotype's latest films are providing a unique range of mechanical, chemical and optical qualities that enables Fascia Graphics to design solutions for a wide range of technically demanding applications and to penetrate new markets for both low and high volume products.

Fascia Graphics was founded in 1994 with the specific objective of offering short lead times, from design and tooling, through prototyping to delivery.

As Managing Director, Paul Bennett, explains: "When we first started the company typical lead times for membranes were around 12 weeks, which we believed were unacceptable to customers".

"As a result we structured our manufacturing operation specifically to bring these times down, using the latest and most advanced machinery, materials and management techniques to reduce lead times to between seven and 14 days".

"In addition, we have subsequently focused on lower volume, high quality products, particularly in technically demanding areas, and this has enabled us to grow our business successfully, and gain market share from our competitors".

"This approach has strongly secured us as market leaders".

From the outset, Fascia Graphics chose to work with only the leading suppliers of film materials for the graphic overlay, circuit and spacer layers of each membrane project.

In particular, the company has standardised on MacDermid Autotype's range of Autotex, Autoflex, Autostat and Windotex hardcoated polyester films and screen varnishes.

Paul Bennett points out that: "Although many of our competitors often try and use cheaper materials and low quality polyester films to try and reduce the unit cost of finished components, this is false economy".

"Our experience has shown that only high quality hardcoated polyester films from suppliers such as MacDermid Autotype provide the combination of properties that make them relatively easy to process and effective in a wide range of applications".

"Indeed, our philosophy is to invest in the best materials".

"This approach ensures that our complete manufacturing operation hits the highest quality standards and at the same time, enables us to provide our customers with membrane switches that offer a range of benefits such as enhanced chemical resistance, extended switch life and anti-microbial protection".

This combination of properties is especially important in technically demanding applications, where hardcoated films such as Autoflex enable Fascia Graphics to develop membrane keyboards that have excellent resistance to cleaning chemicals and solvents, are abrasion and scratch resistant, and can be embossed while still retaining a long flex life when tactile domes are formed in the upper switch and overlay layers.

In addition, these films provide a consistent gloss or antiglare surface and can be used with texturing varnishes and UV graphic inks.

Paul Bennett is keen to emphasise that without the films manufactured by MacDermid Autotype: "We would find it extremely difficult to produce many of the membranes that we have developed for customers in market sectors including medical, fire and security".

"We have found that the advantages of the materials supplied by MacDermid Autotype, combined with our design skills and advanced manufacturing facilities, are helping us win high volume, long run work that has previously been produced in the Far East, but where customers have suffered from problems of quality and delivery".