Size is the key in pushbutton design win

Duraswitch licensee, Memtron Input Components has secured projects for two customers using PushGate pushbutton technology for forklift controls.

Duraswitch licensee, Memtron Input Components has secured projects for two customers using PushGate pushbutton technology for forklift controls.

Replacing large, mechanical pushbuttons with PushGate technology, Memtron's panels offer high reliability at a lower cost.

"PushGate is a robust technology and an obvious choice for an industrial environment", said David Hildner, Memtron's National Sales Manager.

"The wide range of customisation options that the technology offers brings an even greater advantage to our growing customer base".

One of Memtron's customers required an oversize button, with rapid return for rapid entry.

Using PushGate Large Key technology, Memtron created a pushbutton with tactile response across the entire area.

This design met the specifications at a lower cost because Large Key technology uses just one PushGate actuator rather than multiple actuators under the oversize area.

Another application uses PushGate technology under an elastomer overlay.

"The customer previously used metal domes, and was impressed with the click and feel of PushGate under the elastomer", Hildner continued.

According to the Material Handling Industry of America, the value of US product shipments for industrial trucks, tractors, mobile carriers and stacker machinery segment was $5.2 billion in 2002.

Coming off of a downturn over the last few years, industry experts are forecasting a turnaround in spending and anticipate growth in this market.

Tim Kuhn, Duraswitch Vice President Business Development added: "If the industry experts' projections hold true, Memtron targeted this segment of the industrial equipment market at the right time.

Industrial automation and controls represents a significant percentage of the designs using Duraswitch technologies today.

With initial projects from two key suppliers in the forklift segment, Memtron has opened the opportunity for even greater traction in industrial controls".

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