11 Tactile Switch Manufacturers in 2023
This section provides an overview for tactile switches as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 11 tactile switch manufacturers and their company rankings.
Table of Contents
What Is a Tactile Switch?
A tactile switch is a switch that is energized when a person presses it. It is installed on a printed circuit board. The characteristic feature of a tactile switch is that it provides feedback on the feeling of being pressed when the switch is pressed. For this reason, they are widely used in all electronic devices that are operated by humans. The installation method can be classified by whether the switch is inserted into a hole in the PCB or mounted on the surface of the PCB, and further classified by whether it has a seal that is effective in preventing dust, etc.
Uses of Tactile Switches
Tactile switches are widely used in equipment that requires human operation, such as communications equipment, office automation equipment, laboratory equipment, and medical equipment operating units. At the design stage of the board on which tactile switches are to be used, it is necessary to identify and select whether they are to be embedded in holes or mounted on the surface properly. In addition, if tactile switches are used in precision equipment or in machines with large losses in the event of failure, tile switches with seals should be selected.
By using different stroke lengths for different products, it is possible to make a product that can be touched quickly and continuously, or one that cannot be activated unless it is pushed with great force.
Principle of Tactile Switches
Tactile switches consist of an enclosure, a push plate, a film, a metal dome, three contacts, and a mounting base. The metal dome is a dome-shaped conductor with two contacts attached to the edge of the dome and another contact attached to the mounting base in the center of the dome.
The principle of operation of tactile switches is explained separately for the ON and OFF states.
- When ON
When the push plate of the tactile switches are pressed by hand, the center of the metal dome is crushed and the contact point in the center of the dome makes contact with the metal dome. When the contact point and the metal dome make contact, the current passes through the three contacts and the switch is turned ON. - When OFF
When the hand leaves the push plate of the tactile switches, the contacts in the center of the metal dome and the metal dome separate and the switch turns OFF.
What Axis Are Tactile Switches?
There are several types of mechanical keyboards for PCs, such as red-axis, brown-axis, and blue-axis. These are derived from the fact that key switches from a German manufacturer, a major manufacturer of key switches for keyboards, have different axis colors for each type. Since the color of the axis changes for each type of key switch, it is possible to identify the type of key switch by checking the axis color.
The brown key switches are called tactile key switches. However, this does not mean that tactile switches are actually used, but rather that manufacturers call them that because of the structure of the key switch (the feel of the keys).
There are six main keyboard shaft colors: red, pink, silver, black, brown, and blue. Each keyboard has a different feel, but this difference in feel comes from the key switch structure, which itself is identical.
Repairing Tactile Switches
Tactile switches are durable enough, but they can fail depending on where they are used and how often they are used. In such cases, repairs should be made, but there may be cases where repairs cannot be requested because the product is old, the manufacturer no longer exists, etc. In such cases, the switch should be soldered. In such cases, if you are able to solder, it is not so difficult to replace it by yourself.
The first step is to obtain a task switch to replace it, and this can be done by checking the part number of the failed task switch to see if an identical task switch can be obtained. It is best if you can obtain the same product, but if not, look for a similar product based on the external dimensions. Most products are standardized, so it should not be too difficult to find an equivalent tactile switches.
Once a replacement tactile switches are available, simply melt the solder off the failed tactile switches and replace it with new tactile switches.
List of 11 Tactile Switch Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- France
- India
- Japan
- United States of America
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HOKURIKU ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO.,LTD
Tactile Switches
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Shinmei Electric Co.,LTD.
Tactile switch
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CITIZEN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Tactile switch
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NIDEC COPAL ELECTRONICS
Tactile switch SMT1
Company Overview
NIDEC COPAL ELECTRONICS was established in Japan in April, 1967 as a specialty manufacturer of electronic components. NIDEC’s offerings have increased to serve the automotive, construction, medical equipment, FA equipment, analytical measuring equipment, and residential security industries. Among the offerings are components for LiDAR, railway pressure sensors, CPAP, dialysis, MRI, and ultrasonography machines, wireless base stations, and power tools. These components include switches, sensors, mirrors, motors, and fans.
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OMRON Corporation
Tactile switch
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CannonKeys
Tactile switch
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iMS Motion Solution (Johor) Sdn Bhd
Autonics Safety Door Switches SFD Series
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Tactile Switch Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Number of Employees
- CTS: 3,500
Newly Established Company
- Pran Electronics Private Limited: 1998 (25 years ago)
- NIDEC COPAL ELECTRONICS: 1967 (56 years ago)
- Apem: 1952 (71 years ago)
Company with a History
- CTS: 1896 (127 years ago)
- Littelfuse: 1927 (96 years ago)
- Apem: 1952 (71 years ago)
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