With a successful Electronex 2017 Tradeshow wrapped up, we would like to send a big thanks to the long list of customers who visited us at the stand during the two days. To those of you who are new to Reid, we will be following up with you over the next week or so to talk in more detail about your upcoming projects. In the meantime don’t hesitate to call us if you didn’t get all the information about the product you are interested in.
As usual, we showcased the full range of Reid Interface products, with the Capacitive Switches and Backlighting technologies being the most popular.
Come and visit us at the Electronex 2017 Tradeshow in Melbourne.
Where we will be showcasing our full range of Interface Products; Including Graphic Overlays, Membrane Keypads, Capacitive Sensors, Backlighting Technologies and more.
Tradeshow details:
When: Wednesday 6/9/17 – Thursday 7/9/17
Where: Melbourne Park Function Centre
Stand: C14
We’re looking forward to catching up with you at the show
We are often asked about our point of difference, the difference that makes Reid Industrial stand out from the other suppliers to the printed electronics markets; the short answer is that from its inception Reid Industrial Graphic Products has always been a specialist manufacturer of interface products, somewhat of a trail blazer for new products and technologies. We are not an importer working from a back office nor are we a Nameplate company that just makes overlay panels and membrane switches on the side, our specialty is combining the R&D, knowledge, process capability and management structures to engineer products that integrate a number of printed electronics technologies into a fully functioning plug and play device.
Yes, of course we can offer imported products, we have at our disposal some of the best suppliers in the Asian region, however our roots are with designing and manufacturing Australian made products that you simply can’t order on line. We pride ourselves in the fact that when you deal with Reid Industrial you are supported by dedicated Account Management and Customer Service Teams who are backed by experienced Design Engineers and top notch Production personnel, working from our purpose built manufacturing facility just north of Brisbane.
So whether your next project is a simple prototype label, overlay panel, or a membrane switch technology with all the backlighting technology whistles and bells, all you need to do is send us an email or pick up the phone and we will be back to you anywhere in Australia and NZ within the same day or at the latest the next working day. Check out our full product range on our website www.reidindustrial.com.au
One of the pleasures of being a specialist manufacturer is having the opportunity to be involved in new projects from their inception through to becoming fully functioning devices. At Reid Industrial Graphic Products we are committed to an R&D program that has over time, created new technologies that have significantly made a difference for our customers.
Over the years we have been involved in many R&D projects undertaken and brought to market; we would like to share one case study with you here.
Industry IQ, a leading electrical engineering company specialising in control systems for moving machines, required an interface device that would allow concrete truck drivers to work at the rear of the truck during darkness.
With the customer working closely with our R&D engineers, the outcome was to manufacture a flat panel membrane switch with tactile domes, backlit using SMD side shining Led’s and incorporating Reid Industrials Light Guide Film technology, for even light distribution across the panel. The project has been successfully released to market and is a win-win for both companies, developed and manufactured at our Clontarf facility.
If you have a printed electronics project that needs our R&D expertise to bring it from concept to market, don’t hesitate to contact out Account Management Team for more information on how we can help you.
Reid Industrial Graphic Products can produce antimicrobial Graphic Overlays and Membrane Keypads, these products are suitable for environments where cleanliness is essential.
The material used is Autotex AM, which is a hardcoated Polyester that has a built-in Microban® antimicrobial protection that inhibits the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria.
The material can withstand harsh cleaning chemicals typically used in the medical industry.
Some applications where these products can be used include medical environments (Hospitals and Nursing Homes) and areas of high traffic (Shopping Centres, Airports, Hotels and Fitness Centres).
Badging Solutions
Domed Labels are a great way of branding your product. The ‘domed’ resin finish is extremely
tough and enhances the printed image.
Some of the applications for these labels are:
Clubs (RSL Clubs, Surf Clubs, Sport Clubs)
Retailers
Service Station Chains
Hospitals and Health Care Industry
Fast Food Chains
Transportation (Airlines, Trains)
The features and benefits of Membrane Switches make them the most common construction for
custom flexible Membrane Keypads. When compared to costly electromechanical switch
assemblies, Membrane Switches or Keypads stand out for a host of features and benefits:
Extremely thin construction saves the all-important design space
Cost, especially when compared to electromechanical switch assemblies
Low-profile surface is cleaned easily
An easy, one-piece, one-operation assembly
Offer a variety of design options
Design Options offered by Membrane Switches
Tactile and non-tactile with either Metal Domes, Polydomes or Capacitive
Pillow or rim-embossed custom Graphic Overlays
Embedded LED’s
Sealed Construction depending on custom designs with wide variety of adhesives.
Backlighting options; EL Electro Luminescence, Fiber Optic Mat, LED backlighting
Rigid backing can be added such as aluminum, PETG or acrylic
EMI/RFI and Antistatic shielding options
Graphic Overlays
that can be digitally printed, screen printed, or a combination of both methods
The graphic overlays can incorporate transparent and tinted display windows, as well as
selective textures these can also incorporate custom and corporate colours as needed.
Standard 2.54mm Nicomatic connectors or an array of ZIF connection options.
Chemical, Fire resistant, Stainless Steel Textured or Antimicrobial materials can be used.
Capacitive Switches can be used for more than switches.
- Can set to sense when your product has been picked up or moved
- Can be Built-in noise detection and filtering
- Multitouch (Can be used for multiple touch points at the same time).
- Can be set for single tap, double tap or slide touch
- Very durable as it can be housed behind up to 6mm thick glass or other materials
- When pressed can be combined with a buzzer or LED light for user feedback
Applications:
- Remote Control touch pads
- Gaming devices
- Security control keypads
- Home automation control panels
- Human-machine interfaces with configurable button, keypad or scrolling functions
- Single finger gesture interfaces to swipe, scroll, or double tap controls
Choice of adhesive is important when designing a Membrane Keypad. There are many factors to consider including material type and surface finish and the operating environment of the product.
Typical applications for Membrane Keypads use 3M 467, however, many different adhesives are available which meet a variety of application specifications.
- Adhesive options include:
- 3M 467 (standard applications) – For general industrial bonding between substrates and typical surfaces
- 3M 468 (double thickness 467) – For general industrial bonding that need a
slightly thicker adhesive than normal nameplates etc - 3M LSE (low surface energy applications) – Excellent bond to low surface energy
plastics, such as polypropylene, powder coatings or lightly oiled surfaces - 3M VHB (very high bond) – VHB adhesive is suited for when high bonding
strength is needed for industrial bonding with high shear or pull force
Of course with any adhesive that you may choose, the most important step to maintain
adhesive, is to ensure that the bonding surface has been thoroughly prepared by
cleaning and making sure it is dry and well unified. Typical cleaning solvents are Isopropyl alcohol/water mixture (rubbing alcohol) or Heptane.
At Reid Industrial Graphic Products, we offer various embossing options for your Graphic Overlays and Membrane Keypads.
We have several methods including Rail Emboss, Pillow Emboss, Dome Emboss, Multi-Level Emboss, 3-Dimensional Lines and Text and Concave Emboss.
We have multiple machines capable of both Cold and Hot emboss, including our Projecon Hot Embossing machine.
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