Custom-designed plastic housing with integrated silicone switching mat for modern HMI solutions
For a custom HMI device we have a two-part plastic housing developed, which together with a specially designed silicone keymat Multiple functions are combined in a single component. The silicone switch mat simultaneously serves as the keypad, seals the two housing halves all around, and mechanically secures the entire assembly. This intelligent functional integration reduces the number of components, shortens assembly times, and creates an extremely robust and durable operating solution.
Triple function in one component
1. Keyboard function (HMI)
The silicone touch mat forms the entire input surface of the device. Its tactile buttons provide a clearly defined pressure sensation. This makes the user interface particularly suitable for industrial applications with high usage frequency.
2. Sealing function
The surrounding geometry of the silicone switching mat forms a reliable seal between the two housing parts, effectively protecting the electronics from dust and other environmental influences.
3. Fixing & Positioning
Thanks to its sophisticated design, the silicone switching mat simultaneously performs a precise positioning function by securely locking the electronic components and ensuring that the housing halves are correctly aligned. This eliminates the need for any additional sealing or support elements.
Technische Merkmale
- Case material: Plastic (e.g. ABS or PC/ABS)
- Silicone switch mat: High-quality silicone, Shore hardness adjusted according to application.
- Function: Keyboard, seal and mounting element in one
- Color design: Freely definable for housing and individual keys
- Series production: Separate tools for plastic and silicone for optimal cost control
- HMI optimization: Clear key labeling, intuitive operating geometry, long service life
Individual color design for brand impact and OEM manufacturing
The plastic housing can be injection-molded in virtually any desired color – from neutral industrial tones to customer-specific corporate identity colors. This allows the device to be optimally adapted to the customer's corporate design. The silicone touch mat itself can also be manufactured in coordinated color combinations.
Advantages for design and series production
- Fewer parts → lower assembly costs
- High sealing reliability through a form-fitting and flexible silicone frame
- Robust HMI interface with durable key technology
- design freedom in case design, keyboard surfaces and color scheme
- Cost effectiveness through optimal tool and component coordination
Through the combination of custom-designed plastic housing and multifunctional silicone keymat This results in a particularly efficient and economical solution for modern HMI devices. The integrated silicone component significantly reduces the number of individual parts, which not only simplifies assembly but also noticeably lowers production costs. At the same time, the form-fitting and flexible silicone frame ensures a high level of sealing reliability and reliably protects the electronics from dust, moisture, and mechanical damage – a crucial factor in industrial applications.
The robust button technology of the silicone touch mat ensures a durable and precise HMI interface that delivers consistently high user-friendliness, even under intensive use. Furthermore, designers benefit from extensive design freedom: both the plastic housing and the button surfaces can be individually designed, color-coded, or adapted to the corporate design. The optimal coordination of all tools and components simultaneously enables particularly economical series production, even for demanding requirements.
This construction method is ideally suited for mobile handheld devices, compact control boxes, industrial operating units and sensor interfaces – wherever ergonomics, compactness and reliable protective functions need to be combined in one device.
Cost-effectiveness of custom-made plastic housings
Many companies initially assume that standard enclosures are generally the more cost-effective solution. In practice, however, the opposite often proves true: as soon as modifications, additional seals, separate keypads, or adjustments for the electronics become necessary, the overall cost of a standard enclosure increases noticeably.
A custom-designed plastic housing combined with a multifunctional silicone keypad offers a clear economic advantage. Integrating multiple functions – housing, keypad, seal, and fixing – significantly reduces the number of parts, shortening assembly times and minimizing potential errors. At the same time, a single, custom-made tool enables reproducible, reliable, and efficiently scalable series production.
Starting from a quantity of approximately 1.000 to 5.000 units are Custom-made plastic housings are generally more economical. as modified standard enclosures. Unit costs in this area are typically in the low single-digit euro range, depending on geometry and functionality. The exact break-even point varies depending on design complexity, level of integration, and material requirements, but remains clearly within the aforementioned range for most industrial applications.
This creates a solution for applications such as mobile handheld devices that optimally meets technical requirements while simultaneously saving costs in the long term.
Are you planning a similar project?
We accompany you from the development of your silicone switching mat to the design of the plastic housing and on to series production – precisely, economically and individually.
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