Along with telling tales and showcasing projects we’ve done, from time to time in this e-bulletin I’m going to toot our horn. Hope you don’t mind the occasional direct plug.

Last year we were approached by a company that supplies the locksmith industry with automatic key cutters. The electronic keypad had been produced by another membrane switch company – gasp, a competitor! – but according to the manufacturer of the product, the switches failed 45% of the time in the field. The keypad buttons either accidentally activated or falsely activated. Ouch!

The key cutter company tried in vain to get its switch company to solve the problem. They wouldn’t. Or couldn’t. No matter. They gave us a sample of the switch and asked for help.

Once we took the switch apart we quickly identified the problems. First, the spacer layer between the circuits was too thin and keys kept shorting. In addition, they affixed the tactile dome outside of the circuit. This can permit the dome to snap but not activate the circuit, causing a false reading.

Our prototype run of 50 pieces resulted in zero failures in the field. Ditto with the first production run of 200 pieces. We expect to have a long and happy relationship with this client.

Over the years we’ve established ties with many companies through this process. Be assured that we mess up from time to time as well (Murphy visits on his own timetable). But we work to resolve problems when they arise.

Moral of the story? If a product isn’t working, please speak up. Don’t settle for mediocrity! From an engineering standpoint, I assure you we know our stuff. Give us the chance to make you look good and operate seamlessly on all of your membrane keypads. You won’t be disappointed!

As always, feel free to call me at 888-268-8068, ext. 222, or send me an e-mail if you’d like to talk about a new design or an existing product. I’m here to help.

Phenomenal Regards,

Kevin Caruso
kcaruso@stankraft.com