Read time: 4 minutes
Smart integration, responsive support, and tactile technology combine to drive customer satisfaction and enable cost-effective, high-cycle backlit keypad design.
| Company | Actineon |
| Location | Santa Clara, California |
| Product | Custom Backlit Keypad with Metal Dome Array – 4x BL08400 |
| Industry | Industrial PCs / ODM Electronics |
| Materials/Services Used | Snaptron Dome Array with LED Hole, Kapton Insulator, Custom Application Fixture |
Solving for Tactile Feel, Reliability, and Cost in a Compact Design
When a long-standing customer of Actineon, a U.S.-based manufacturer of industrial PCs, requested a new product with tactile dome switches, the team knew exactly who to call. The customer had previously relied on Snaptron domes and was adamant about the tactile response and reliability they produced. It was up to Actineon to deliver a solution that met those expectations without compromising on cost, durability, or function.
“We needed a low-profile, high-tactile feel switch with high cycle life,” says Bob Fullerton, Senior Industrial Designer at Actineon. The challenge: combine crisp feedback with backlit functionality, all while keeping per-position cost low. And with tight customer timelines and a custom keypad design, Actineon needed a partner, not just a supplier.
Why Snaptron
Fullerton was already familiar with Snaptron’s domes and used them in past products. With early buy-in from engineering and project leadership, Snaptron quickly became the go-to solution for this program.
While scoping early design concepts, Actineon explored traditional low-profile soldered switches, but the tactile response didn’t compare. “We locked in on domes early,” Fullerton notes. “They offer a good feel under rubber keypads, and the cost came in lower than miniature lighted switches.
Another differentiator? Snaptron’s domes with integrated LED holes allowed the team to create an efficient backlighting solution that aligned with the customer’s aesthetic and usability needs, without the bulk or complexity of traditional illuminated switches.
Design Support and Smooth Integration
Snaptron’s support team worked closely with Actineon through multiple design iterations. After encountering early alignment issues with the initial LED, the team adopted a new configuration that ensured precise positioning of four Snaptron BL08400 domes within the LED window. Snaptron also provided a custom Kapton insulator and collaborated on a dual-purpose alignment fixture that applied even pressure for proper dome bonding to the PCB while accurately placing the insulator.
For Actineon, the application fixture was uniquely designed to install both a custom PNP dome array on one side of the board and a custom Kapton cut part on the opposite side. This was unusual, as Snaptron’s application fixtures are typically dedicated solely to dome arrays—essentially combining two fixtures into one.
“The collaboration was excellent,” says Fullerton. “The sales and technical teams helped us develop both the dome array and the insulator, which saved us time and effort. The sample support and alignment fixture really speed things up.”
Applications Engineer, Kyle Goodrich, demos the design provided by Snaptron for Actineon.
Results: Better Feel, Lower Cost, Happy Customers
Although the final product has just entered the market, early indicators suggest success. The use of Snaptron’s domes reduced system complexity, providing Actineon’s customer with a switch solution that balanced tactile feedback, durability, and affordability. “The customer was very happy with the button feel,” says Fullerton. “It delivers a satisfying snap.”
As a result of the project’s success, Actineon plans to expand its use of Snaptron domes in future designs—especially surface-mount domes, which will further reduce the overall system cost.
Looking Ahead
Actineon’s next-gen products will build on the lessons learned here. “We’ll be designing with SMT domes going forward,” Fullerton explains, pointing to the benefits of Snaptron’s flexible dome offerings and strong technical support.
“For anyone designing a backlit keypad with high cycle requirements, Snaptron domes are absolutely worth considering,” Fullerton adds. “They’re cost-effective, they feel great, and the team behind them is outstanding.”
