With over 20 years experience of producing rubber keymats Selectronic, in partnership with Silitech, have gained a reputation for expertise in developing switch feel, enhanced key appearance and front panel integration.

Past evidence of this innovative capability was the joint achievement of a Patent for the Laser Etching of rubber which had a significant effect on the design of mobile phone back light performance ten years ago. The result of this partnership is still evident in 2004 with Silitech retaining a dominant position in the supply of keymats to the mobile phone industry.

Now in the Automotive sector, where high quality feel and design are of critical importance, Selectronic and Silitech, working in co-operation, are now bringing together all the in-house capability of rubber moldings, laser etching, single and double shot injection molding and metal stamping to offer the market a total one-piece solution.

Selectronic have clearly demonstrated the importance of good design in achieving cost effective and well engineered products, particularly where key criteria have been set for feel, tight tolerances and differentiate appearance. With this background in keymats and displays and working closely with customers, Selectronic is pulling all the elements together. This will harness the obvious benefits of complete integration achieved by the extension of laser etching capability to the surrounding plastic, ensuring a continuity of look that will define the quality of the end product. Combining the design and support resource of Selectronic with Silitech's vast experience in rubber production allows the option of direct incorporation of the keymat into the fascia panel from the outset of the concept, optimizing the tactile feel and the look of the final assembly.

The experience gained through high volume production of computer keyboards has provided the capability to SMT assemble and incorporate PCBs into the fascia . This completes the one-piece solution providing the end user with real benefits, particularly in the optimization of their electronics production for the Car Audio and Air control products.

Whilst the benefits are most evident in Automotive solutions, other applications that have similar priorities of quality and performance could also benefit from this progression of capability to offer a module panel for easy integration within the overall finished product.

Key automotive suppliers are already seeing the benefits of this total solution and are widening new design projects to allow a more inclusive solution which optimizes performance in both areas of production and customer satisfaction - a total engineering solution.