| 1 - What is the dome product range of Nicomatic? |
|
We offer non-stick metal domes, round, double radius & 4-leg. The domes are available in different diameters, activation forces & plating :
- round and double radius domes are available in 4mm and 5mm diameter with following activation forces : 150, 180, 200, 220 gram. Standard plating is nickel.
- 4-leg domes are available in diameter : 6mm, activation force 140g, 170g, 200g, 220g, 8.4mm, activation force 220g, 280g, 340g, 400g ; 10mm, activation force 220g, 280g, 340g, 400g ; 12.2mm, activation force 220g, 280g, 340g, 420g. 4-leg domes are nickel plated or one side gold plated.
The domes are with or without dimple.
|
| 2 - What do you mean by "SWITCH'AIR"? |
It is Patent & trademark of Nicomatic. The Switch'Air dome helps to create a cushion of air between the domes so that they do not stick together. This process ensures an efficient and reliable automatic placement (see Automatic dome placement machines).
|
| 3 - Is there a difference between a round dome & a 4-leg dome? |
Round and double radius domes are a standard in the mobile phone industry. They extended our range of products launched in the 4-legged version. Today, they are also used in a variety of other applications such as automotive or any kind of application where saving space is essential (eg. domotics and white products). 4LEG domes are used in any one-side circuit project. Membrane switch manufacturers are natural customers for this kind of dome.
|
| 4 - What does "dimple" stand for? |
|
There are 2 types of dimple : dimple & micro-dimple. The micro-dimple exists for 6mm domes. Thanks to its small size it allows, in case of dust on the circuit, to eliminate the dust and make the contact.
The dimple on the 8.4mm,10mm & 12.2mm is recommanded for flexible circuits in order to limit the travel.
|
| 5 - What is the life span of Nicomatic domes? |
Nicomatic tests reach up to 10 million activations. We guarantee 1 million activations for 100% of our production. This guarantee can go up to 5 million activations.
|
| 6 - What tests are made? |
- life expectancy
- overload test
- electrical measurements (contact resistance, current capacity...)
- incoming inspection
- O.S.O test
- Overstroke test
- Sweet Spot test (position of the actuator shifted from the dome centre).
|
| 7 - What are the different forms of packaging? |
|
Domes are sold in bulk, in tubes (to be used on our high speed assembly process and different other Pick & Place machines) or in custom made array. One of the last packagings is the tape & reel for 8.4 and 12.2mm diameter domes.
|
| 8 - What is an array of domes? |
It is a polyester carrier with pre-positioned domes. It can be described as a custom made array according to the specification of our customers.
|
| 9 - What are the advantages of an array of domes compared to bulk orders? |
The array will make it possible to place at once all the keys of your membrane switch this you will avoid all problems related to dome positionning, lacking dome double or reverse dome.
|
| 10 - Who are the users of arrays? |
|
All membrane switch manufacturers. In all projects including keypads you can use dome arrays.
|
| 11 - Can we speak of a standard array? |
|
The array with kiss cuts is an array with a series of cuts in the polyester/adhesive carrier around the dome. It is considered as a standard product.
|
| 12 - What is a P.A.S type array? |
P.A.S. (Pre-assembled spacer). It is an additional layer applied under the retaining layer with channels enabling a volume of air around the dome. The spacer can be made of different materials, for example with polyester 0.1mm thick or transparent PET 0.1mm thick.
The ventilation is made via channels in the spacer layer connecting the various dome chambers.
|
| 1b - What is recommanded by Nicomatic to build an array (thickness & cut in the adhesive)? |
|
To avoid any broken domes, we recommend to build your arrays according to the instructions below :
> How to place domes in the spacer
|
| 2b - Which patterns should be used? |
> Pattern 4 and 5mm domes
> Pattern 6, 8.4, 10 and 12.2mm domes
|
| 3b - Are there automatic placement systems to place domes? |
|
Yes, 2 solutions are recommanded according to the quantity of domes to place.
1. NICOMATIC tube workstation : manual placement of domes in 12.2mm diameter
2. automatic placement of domes and SMD components (eg. LEDs): there are several pick & place manufacturers who can propose in standard our four-legged domes in tubes or tape & reel.
|
| 4b - What is the minimum size of an array with one 4mm diameter dome? |
The general rule is to have at least 1mm around the dome for the spacer and 1mm for the array. So, for a 4mm dome we can have a square of 8mm, or a circle of 8mm.
|
| 5b - What is the max. actuation shift from the dome center to get a very similar activation level (force & click ratio)? |
It depends very much on the type of dome usually between 1mm and 1.5mm. Contact us.
|
| 6b - What is the tolerance for the positioning of domes on the polyester? |
- With our Pick & Place machine: 0.25mm
- With our MDA machine: 0.15mm
|
| 12b - What kind of plating process should be used on PCB to fit to NICOMATIC domes? |
Gold electrolytic is recommanded, but tin plated or screened silver ink can be used.
|
| 7b - Do you have written recommendations on how to build metal dome arrays? |
Yes. Please click here.
|
| 8b - Is there a difference in performance between N12.2-4L-340 and 420g domes in the Tease Effect? |
No real difference for the tease effect which is the distance the dome needs to travel after clicking before reaching bottom.
N12.2-4L-340-21 Approx. teasing distance = 0.16mm
N12.4L-420-21 Approx. teasing distance = 0.15mm
|
| 13 - What are the differernt dome categories in class A, B and C? What does it mean? |
A class (upon request):Tolerance center is reduced to +/- 15g (N8.4,N10), and to +/-20g for N12.2.
B class (upon request). Tolerance is never below the trip force indicated in the spec of the D class
C class (upon request). Tolerance is never above the trip force indicated in the spec of the D class
D class = standard dome with standard tolerance
|
| 9b - What is the tolerance on the location of the actuator to the dome center? |
This is called sweet spot. It can vary depending on the dome size and criteria (click ratio -trip force). Main figures are:
N4 = 0.3-0.5mm
N5 = 0.5-08 mm
N6 =1mm
N8.4 =1.5mm
N12.2= 2.5-3mm
Good to know: the more the actuator is centred the best tactile and life expectancy you get.
|
| 10b - What is the maximum size for a customized metal dome array? |
There is no real maximum size. We generally use a size of 150mm x 120mm for the handset industry but the usual problematic is on the placement tolerance and not on the size.
|
| 11b - What is the bounce time for 12.2mm metal domes? |
Bounce time is under 5 micro seconds.
Bounce
definition: When a switch is actuated and contacts touch one another
under the force of actuation, they are supposed to establish continuity
in a single, crisp moment. Due to the mass of the moving contact and any
elasticity inherent in the mechanism and/or contact materials, contacts
will "bounce" upon closure for a period of milliseconds before coming
to a full rest and providing unbroken contact.
|
| 1c - I want to use ENIG plating finish (120-340micron Ni + 2-4micron Au). Is it appropriate for the Nicomatic domes? t |
Yes.
|
| 2c - What type of actuator is used for 6mm domes? |
It is a flat surface 1.5mm dia. actuator.
|
| 3c - Does Nicomatic manufacture SMT domes? |
Yes. This innovation is available upon request. Learn more on the subject.
|
| 4c - What is a P-Switch button? |
P-Switch is a pinching switch mainly developed for active smart cards and ultra-thin environments such as smart textiles or a number of medical interface. Learn more.
|
| 5c - What is a T-Switch? |
T-Switch is a new tactile solution that benefits from the same advantages as the P-Switch in terms of size and thickness. Learn more.
|
