N&H Technology invests in automated membrane keypad manufacturing for medical technology

N&H Technology expands automated membrane keyboard manufacturing at its production subsidiary SNT Technology. (Copyright: N&H Technology GmbH)

NH Technology GmbH from Willich has made extensive investments in modernizing and automating the machinery of its production subsidiary SNT Technology. The focus is on automated manufacturing processes for custom foil keyboards, which must meet high standards of precision, reliability, and material durability, especially in demanding applications in medical technology.

Automation for Reproducible Manufacturing Processes

The investments include automatic screen printing systems, systems for precise positioning of metal snap discs, and automated lamination processes. Automating these manufacturing steps reduces manual interventions and supports consistent process quality.

Additionally, SNT Technology has a cleanroom area of class 1000. The controlled environmental conditions are primarily aimed at reducing particulate contamination during the processing of sensitive foils and components.

Hygiene-Compliant User Interfaces for Medical Devices

Foil keyboards are used in numerous medical applications, such as diagnostic devices, laboratory analysis systems, and medical control and operation units.

Their sealed, largely gap-free surface facilitates regular cleaning and disinfection. By selecting suitable surface films and coatings, the control units can be adapted to the cleaning and disinfecting agents used.

For applications with special hygiene requirements, there are also special polyester films with antimicrobial coatings available. The antimicrobial property complements the hygienic design but does not replace regular cleaning and disinfection.

In addition to surface properties, key embossing, tactile feedback, backlighting, and electrical connections can be individually tailored to each device application.

From Design to Series Production

The investments at SNT Technology expand the possibilities for economical and reproducible manufacturing of custom foil keyboards.

NH Technology supports its customers from development and design through material selection and prototype manufacturing to series production. This allows both the technical design of the control units and subsequent manufacturing to be coordinated within the corporate group.