anyone know where to find a plastic or metal actuator for a front panel push button for home theater equipment. I wanted to use a fancy button actuator that presses against a simple tact switch. Seems like all the consumer products out there use custom molded front panel buttons. I don't want to pay for custom molding since I need about 250 buttons to start. I also don't like the look of the panel mount pushbutton assemblies, too industrial looking. Any ideas or sources? Thanks!
Is this a once-off make, or something you will make lots of ? I get custom-made membrane keypads made for jobs with atleast 10 units that need to look nice. Membrane keypads can be very nice for front panels - you can get the printed with graphics, lots of colors, LCD windows, inbuilt led's etc. decoding these in your device shouldnt be too difficult. Depending on your circuit needs, they dont even need to be matrix'ed. The prices range from about 10pounds to 25pounds per keypad (at qty's of 20) depending on size and other requirements, led's, windows, graphics etc. Atleast this is what i paid. There is always an initial setup cost involved for them to setup their templates. Alex.
There is actually only 1 button on the front panel, but I'm making a couple hundred total front panels. I think a membrane keypad is a little overkill. I just want a inexpensive tact switch with nice looking button cap that isn't industrial looking.
If you are looking for membrane keyboards then the company i work for buys them from IGT Industries if its any help. The web site is www.igt-industries.com The site is a bit crap but they are a good company to deal with. They do all sorts so theymight well be able to help you. Dont know if its any help. Becki
