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Snaptron offers Peel-N-Place (PNP) arrays, the most common method to secure tactile domes to your printed circuit board (PCB) or flex circuit. Metal domes typically are not solderable. Therefore, when you actuate a dome, the center collapses to make contact with the circuit, while the dome’s legs flex outward. Soldering can restrict this movement, which may affect the dome’s tactile feel or even damage its functionality. Learn more about how tactile domes work.
How Peel-N-Place Arrays Work
Peel-N-Place arrays consist of domes pre-loaded on an adhesive substrate or tape, which adheres directly to your PCB. Place each dome in its exact required position to apply multiple domes at once.
. The adhesive ensures that domes flex naturally, preserving the dome switch’s feel and function.
Adhesive Tape Materials for Metal Domes
Snaptron uses pressure-sensitive adhesive tape to hold metal domes in place. Selecting the right tape material depends on your application, dome size, and style. Typical adhesive thicknesses include:
- 0.002” (0.05mm)
- 0.003” (0.08mm)
- 0.004” (0.10mm)
PNP arrays are usually cut to match your substrate shape. You can place them visually, or Snaptron can manufacture custom placement fixtures to improve speed and accuracy. Additionally, custom PNP arrays reduce labor costs by enabling multiple domes to be applied at once. Explore our custom dome solutions for more details.
TYPES OF STANDARD ADHESIVE TAPE MATERIALS
| Name | Adhesive Layer | Adhesive Layer Thickness | Structural Layer Type | Structural Layer Thickness | Adhesive Service Temperature Range | Total Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3M 7993MP | Acrylic | 0.002” (0.05mm) | Clear PET | 0.001” (0.03mm) | -40 to 300 Deg F (-40 to 149 Deg C) | 0.003″ (0.08mm) |
| 3M 7992MP | Acrylic | 0.002” (0.05mm) | Clear PET | 0.002” (0.05mm) | -40 to 300 Deg F (-40 to 149 Deg C) | 0.004″ (0.10mm) |
| Flexcon FLX059420 | Acrylic | 0.002” (0.05mm) | Clear PET | 0.001” (0.03mm) | -40 to 302 Deg F (-40 to 150 Deg C) | 0.003″ (0.08mm) |
| Flexcon FLX000314 | Acrylic | 0.002” (0.05mm) | Clear PET | 0.002” (0.05mm) | -40 to 302 Deg F (-40 to 150 Deg C) | 0.004″ (0.10mm) |
| Flexcon FLX000376 | Acrylic | 0.002” (0.05mm) | White PET | 0.002” (0.05mm) | -40 to 302 Deg F (-40 to 150 Deg C) | 0.004″ (0.10mm) |
| Flexcon FLX002500 | Acrylic | 0.001” (0.03mm) | Clear PET | 0.001” (0.03mm) | -40 to 257 Deg F (-40 to 125 Deg C) | 0.002″ (0.06mm) |
| Flexcon FLX002740 | Acrylic | 0.001” (0.03mm) | Clear PET | 0.002” (0.05mm) | -40 to 257 Deg F (-40 to 125 Deg C) | 0.003″ (0.08mm) |
Standard Peel-N-Place Array Sizes
- Small: 5.3” x 4.5” (135mm x 114mm) – Usable area: 3.8” x 3.0” (97mm x 76mm)
- Medium: 8.0” x 7.0” (203mm x 178mm) – Usable area: 6.5” x 5.5” (165mm x 140mm)
Prototypes and Quick-Turn Manufacturing
Finally, Snaptron can manufacture quick-turn prototypes of custom Peel-N-Place arrays with typical lead times of 7–14 days. Contact us today to get started on your next project. Please note that prototype tolerances may differ from the final design. For more on PCB assembly best practices, check our recommended guidelines.
Note: Tolerances on prototypes may not match the final design.
