Snaptron introduces range of metal dome switches

The GX-Series features a proprietary four-leg design, which allows for increased forces to be achieved compared to previous four-leg or round dome designs.

GX-Series domes surpass previous industry force/life limitations, according to the company.

The maximum force that a tactile dome can achieve is dependant on the dome diameter (or size).

As a basic design rule, the smaller the dome diameter, the lower the amount of actuation force that can be achieved before the life is compromised.

For example, previous four-leg-designed domes measuring 6mm in diameter with 300G activation force achieved 10,000 cycles.

With the new GX-Series design, more than 400g of force can be achieved in a 6mm size while still maintaining five million lifecycles.

GX tactile domes come in sizes as small as 5mm in diameter, which are suitable for consumer electronics due to the increasing miniaturisation of these devices.

A single GX dome can also replace applications where multiple domes are stacked to achieve higher actuation forces.

GX-Series domes can be used anywhere that a momentary switch, with tactile feedback, is required.

Common substrates include printed circuit boards, flex circuits and membrane applications.

Possible applications for these new dome switches include automotive, avionics and defence, medical devices, portable communications, discrete switch, qwerty keypads, instrumentation controls and computer/peripheral.