Keypads and controllers.

A new range of keypads and controllers from the Italian manufacturer Blink Marine has been added to Variohm EuroSensor's product portfolio. Powerkey, PowerTrack, and Powerkey Pro series keypads offer exceptional durability and flexibility through models that variously include CANopen, J1939 and RS485 communication profiles and offer industry leading features such as relegendable buttons with customisable/interchangeable inserts as well as fully configurable and personalised LED indicators plus LED backlights.

Blink Marine keypads are further characterised by their smart and ergonomic design, which makes for easy vertical or horizontal orientation into the customer’s application. With IP67/IP69K protection ratings, UVB 400 sunlight protection as well as salt spray and chemical resistance to the harshest substances, the keypad’s ruggedised construction will suit use in the toughest environments. With their well proven use in machine control and switching applications ranging from agricultural, off road, transportation, and construction vehicles to motorsports, marine and military equipment, Blink Marine keypads are a perfect complementary product line for Variohm EuroSensor’s extensive range of sensors and transducers.

Their PowerKey1000 and 1400 are available in 10 and 14 key versions. With CANopen (Device Profile 401d) and J1939 protocols, the range can be customised for both the key symbol imagery and the number of LED’s assigned to each individual key. They include a backlight to aid use and visibility in low light settings. The PowerTrack series is based on the same style and design as the PowerKey but includes a rotary encoder together with six keys to allow management of complex scroll functions that can be assigned via CANbus/J1939 and read into a compatible HMI display. Customisation options are available including multicolour LEDs.

The PowerKey Pro builds upon the PowerKey, adding RS485 keypad addressing to CANopen and J1939 communication. The PowerKey Pro series has a low-profile design and can be flush or front mounted. The range covers a choice of 15 mm or 24 mm interchangeable keys where individual laser-etched key symbol inserts can be easily replaced from Blink Marine’s comprehensive library. User customised symbol inserts are also available. This allows the possibility for the user to adapt and change the keypad to match the switching task in hand or for the user’s keypad spares or production inventory to be maintained at a minimum level. The larger 24 mm insert size is particularly appropriate for more heavy-duty applications where operators may need to wear protective gloves. Models are available through the PowerKey Pro series with four to twelve keys and as with all Blink Marine keypads, the number of LEDs assigned to each key can be colour-code personalised.

Software features across the complete product range include ‘Event Status Transmission’ where the keypad can message the communication bus indicating a button press or a button release - allowing digital systems to have similar input acknowledgements as that of the latching position of a mechanical switch. ‘Periodic Status Transmission’ indicates the press or release status of each button as a continuous broadcast of messages where the frequency can be adjusted over a wide range. Also, to ensure the keypad is functioning correctly, ‘Periodic Heartbeat’ broadcasts continuously, again with a wide frequency adjustment range. Blink Marine keypads have plug-and-play configurability and are supported with comprehensive programming manuals. Blink Marine’s keypads are also available with a special motorsport protocol to enable communication with some motorsport controllers that have limited CAN programming capacity. Whilst the keypad software is more complex the controller software burden can be lighter.

@Variohm @mepaxIntPR #Blink #PAuto

Customised keypads.

Designers seeking keypads need no longer compromise with ‘off the shelf’ solutions that just don’t fit the bill. As part of the Anglia Inception customised components service, Anglia offers keypads tailored specifically to customer requirements. These keypads from Anglia are manufactured and customised by trusted suppliers who have been fully audited to Anglia’s rigorous selection process, ensuring a quality customised product.

Commenting, David Pearson, Technical Director of Anglia, said, “As the primary human machine interface of the equipment, a keypad must not only suit a practical purpose but contribute to the overall aesthetic design. For this reason, the needs of individual customers can be very specific. Anglia’s custom keypads can incorporate customer logos, character legends and even corporate colours. The keypads can be specified in any shape, size or colour with options such as IP and IK ratings where products are to be used in harsh environments. The wide variety of materials on offer can accommodate most applications and budgets.”

Anglia’s range encompasses Silicone Rubber Keypads, Metal Keypads and Membrane Keypads. Silicone Rubber Keypads, manufactured from elastic, nontoxic silicone rubber compounds, are economical and reliable for small, medium and large production runs. They have excellent resistance to temperature and ageing, and can be integrated with printed circuit boards or flexible circuits. Integral SMD LEDs are available in a choice of colour and the customer can choose a tactile or non-tactile feel to the keypad.

Metal Keypads have a higher durability and robustness, making them a great option for use in harsh environments or where they are installed in a public place. They are reliable, tough and inherently water and dust protected. The symbols can be laser etched and the keys can be specified with a tactile feedback.

Membrane Keypads are one of the most popular options, they have good resistance to dirt and fluids and are easy to clean thanks to a flush water-resistant finish. The individual keys on the membrane can be specified with poly-domed or metal domed switch elements giving a range of tactile feedback levels coupled with long life expectancy. Membrane keypads are also able to incorporate a wide range of designs such as instrument dials and gauges which can be backlit with LEDs, for example. They can also accommodate clear windows, allowing for displays to be mounted behind the keypad and making them an extremely versatile option.

The custom keypads offered through Anglia Inception are suitable for a wide range of applications including public terminals, industrial controls and security panels. The latest Anglia Inception brochure gives an overview of its custom product capability. In addition to keypads it covers custom battery packs, custom transformers and custom heatsinks amongst many others.

#PAuto @angliaComponent @NeeshamPR

Evenly-illuminated switch keycaps.

Multitron has announced the ex-stock availability of four ranges of full-face, evenly-illuminated switch keycaps, utilising MENTOR's world-leading Light Guide expertise. The faces of the switch caps are precision-designed area light guides, providing totally homogeneous illumination with no hot-spots, despite using just two SMD LEDs. The majority are available ex-stock and at low MOQs.

The keycaps incorporate a novel 3-part SMD switch design for flexible solutions. The conventional design approach is to specify an "all-in-one" component supplied as a complete illuminated switch assembly. MENTOR's novel solution offers the illuminated cap separately from the switch and LEDs.

This design approach offers almost limitless flexibility in terms of mixing and matching switch cap types to produce complex panels, and the use of RGB LEDs allows an infinite choice of switchable colours from a single illuminated switch.

The Illuminated Switch Caps have been Patented - the ground-breaking design is the result of MENTOR's near 100-year legacy in the manufacture of electronic components, allied with their position as world-leaders in high-precision light guides and optics. A One Minute Video Overview of the product ranges is available.

The four ranges include illuminated switches, illuminated status indicators, “spot” status indicators, low-profile illuminated switches and illuminated switches with text/graphic inserts.

@MultitronUK  #PAuto

Ultra-high reliability keyboard switch for HMI.

The CHERRY MX keymodule has been designed to fulfill the demanding reliability requirements of computer and data input keyboards, gaming consoles and industrial control HMI systems. Key features include a high reliability long operating life mechanical switch with gold crosspoint contacts and a fast and positive actuation. Standard options include integrated LED illumination, decoupling diode or wire bridge and a 4 mm actuation travel.

The MX switch range provides a single-pole contact rated at 12VDC with durability of 50 million operations and a range of actuation types, travels and pressures. Standard actuation is linear with a pressure point click and travel 3.0–0.5mm with an initial force 25cN min. Standard contact lead spacing is 19.05mm with snap-in frame fastening or PCB solder pins. LED illumination is available in red, green or yellow.

How MX Technology Changed the World! 
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The keyboard switch is rated to IP40 and has an operating temperature of -40 to +70°C and can operate with up to 95% non-condensing humidity. Insulation materials are formed from UL 94 HB thermoplastics.

For low profile applications the CHERRY ML keymodule offers reliability 20 Million operations with the same electrical and environmental specifications as the MX and an actuator travel of 3.0-0.5mm, nominal 18mm lead spacing for PCB mounting only

In addition to being available to OEM’s as individual switches the MX keymodule is available in a number of standard and compact keyboard designs from Cherry with options including magnetic card reader and chip card reader. Cherry ML keyswitches are available in standard compact keyboard designs.

Ergnomatic and for harsh conditions.

Small footprint wireless USB keyboard offers improved functionality

Sometimes we include stuff not strictly automation on to our sites. This is one such animal and we include it because we liked the look of it! It may also have an application for us because it is designed for harsh areas!

Bytec Embedded has launched the next generation of its small footprint, wireless, USB keyboard designed for harsh environments. The second generation Indi-KeyTM keyboard offers wipe clean surfaces, improved key response and feel, a wider touchpad and an optional numeric keypad.

Designed for use where space and reliability is critical, the wipe-clean IP65-rated Indi-Key has been constructed with a Silver Ion antibacterial agent acting as a secondary defence to address increasing awareness of the spread of infection and cross contamination.

The addition of a PC based application enables the keyboard to be reprogrammed for easy on-site upgrades without the need of special programming equipment, ideal for changing keycodes or adding hidden functionality for example – enabling application specific customisation of the Indi-Key.

The ergonomic keyboard has a lighter feel with a more tactile response, and the option of an integrated numeric pad for faster data input. The addition of a 29% larger touchpad provides a familiar interface that is easy to use and clean, with no grooves or dirt traps.

With a typical operating life of 6 hours, battery life is further preserved with a 15 minute sleep mode. 3 levels of red backlit illumination enable the keys to be visible in all light conditions.