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60+ Years of Experience

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Satisfaction Guarantee

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Short Lead Times

Month: February 2017

The Importance of Actuations

One of the products that Hallmark Nameplate specializes in is the membrane switch. This is a custom-designed input device that allows a user to interface with equipment hardware while protecting the machinery from contaminants, environmental hazards, and debris. Membrane switches are non-standard; each one is specially configured for your product specifications. Industries we serve include medical equipment, computer peripherals, and the military and aerospace industries.

Tactile and Non-Tactile Variations

We manufacture membrane switches in both tactile and non-tactile variations, which support a wide variety of designs and applications. Our membrane switches feature a robust construction that is completely sealed from the outside environment, making them durable enough to withstand continuous use across even the most demanding applications.

The Actuation Standard — 5 Million and Beyond

If you are wondering how to measure the comparative quality of one membrane switch against another, the test is simple: how many actuations can it withstand? An actuation is the act of setting something in motion. In the case of membrane switches, it is essentially the act of using the switch for its primary function.

Our membrane switches are designed with both quality and use in mind, which is why they are built to last through an unbelievable 5 million actuations. With the right combination of superior design and substrate choices, your project can withstand the pressures of heavy use, and you can count on far more than 5 million actuations when everything is optimized correctly.

Why Membrane Switches Excel in Medical Equipment

Our membrane switches are used across such a wide variety of applications that it is reassuring to know they can perform their function over 5 million times with consistent success. Nowhere is that reliability more critical than in the medical field, where lives are at stake.

According to Medical Design Briefs, membrane switch applications are well-suited for medical electronics that are limited to a specific or small number of functions, are portable, and require a high degree of visibility. Membrane switches are particularly suitable for handheld medical applications and portable devices because they are lightweight, low profile, durable, easy to clean, and RoHS-compliant.

As stated in Electronic Design, membrane switches are widely used in medical equipment for applications such as hospital bed controls, ultrasound systems, x-ray systems, patient monitoring, dialysis equipment, thermometers, scales, lighting systems, pharmaceutical delivery devices, and portable and wearable devices.

Quality Control Is Everything in Medical Applications

Since membrane switches are such a critical asset in the medical equipment world, reliability is non-negotiable. Quality control is everything when it comes to medical equipment; everyone, from the doctors and nurses operating the equipment to the patients and their families, is depending on the device to do its job right the first time. A guaranteed actuation count is the absolute best assurance Hallmark Nameplate can provide for a control panel used in medical equipment.

ISO 13485 Certified — Proven for the Medical Field

Hallmark Nameplate holds ISO 13485 certification, which is the Medical Device Quality Management System certification. This certification demonstrates our ability to consistently provide products and services that meet both customer and regulatory requirements specific to the medical device industry. Combined with our actuation guarantee, it is a winning package when choosing a membrane switch manufacturer for medical equipment.

It is important to all of us at Hallmark Nameplate that our customers understand how seriously we take our standards. No matter the product, we want it to be the best and most reliable it can be for every client. We are extremely proud to extend our capabilities into the medical field and to be able to back that up with proof.

Ready to Get Started?

Hallmark Nameplate is here to guide you through your membrane switch needs from start to finish. Contact us today to discuss your project specifications and learn how our actuation-guaranteed membrane switches can deliver the reliability your application demands.

What is Auto Optical Inspection?

You have to be extremely precise when manufacturing printed circuit boards (PCBs) to make sure all the boards are the same and work as intended for a project. Any changes in the boards, even minute ones, can affect the efficiency of the boards and cause problems. At Hallmark Nameplate, we use an auto optical inspection system to check the boards to make sure they are made to the highest quality standards to meet your needs.

Why Perform an Auto Optical Inspection?

Circuit boards are a lot more intricate than they were just a few years ago. Boards now incorporate new surface mount technology than was previously used and this has caused the boards to be much more compact today – especially since the new technology has also increased the amount of soldering that needs be done to hold it to the board.  Visually inspecting the boards is no longer a viable option to make sure everything is installed correctly on the PCBs because of all the materials on the circuit boards.

Performing an auto optical inspection ensures that imperfections that would be missed by the human eye are caught before the PCBs are sent to you for use in your products and equipment.

The Auto Optical Inspection Process

The auto optical inspection process uses computerized systems to compare and monitor the PCBs as they are being manufactured. The image of how the PCBs should look like is loaded into a computer. The image can be loaded using a “Golden Board” that the computer scans to collect the information it needs or an algorithm-based program is entered into the computer so the computer can create its own internal image.

As the PCBs are manufactured they are sent down a production line so images of them can be captured and sent to the computer where the captured image is compared to the stored image. There are two primary ways the images are monitored and compared with the main image to see if they have any defects or if they are good to send out to a customer.

  • Template Matching: This happens when the captured image is compared to the stored image.
  • Pattern Matching: Every image that is captured from both good and bad PCBs are stored in the computer. Every new image is then checked to see how they match up to previous images to see if a negative pattern is developing in the production process which distorts the PCBs as they are being produced.

The comparison and monitoring process is able to detect the slightest of defects that will affect the performance of the PCBs, and which cannot be detected by the human eye, like tiny scratches, nodules developing on the surface of the PCBS, and any stains on the boards. The process will also detect more common problems like misplaced, missing, or damaged components.

How to Capture an Image

An image can be captured using a single camera, or if a 3-Deimensional image is required, by a set of multiple cameras. The cameras must have the capacity to move so they can be adjusted to capture an Image of a PCB that has shifted on the production line. A shifted PCB board on the production line will throw the picture of it off- center if using a stationary camera and this will skew image. A skewed image is impossible to match up completely against the original image programmed into the computer and any defects might go undetected as a result.

A streaming video camera can also be used to capture multiple images. Individual frames in the video can be captured so they can be matched up to the original image in the computer.

Lighting is Important

A bright and stable light source is required to capture consistent images that can be compared to the original and other images. LED lighting is replacing fluorescent lighting since it lasts longer and maintains the light consistency needed to capture quality images. In some cases, infrared or ultraviolet light is used to detect certain types of defects that a white light won’t capture. The lights must also be placed in a position so they do not cause a shadow from the components to be cast upon the board.

When the Inspection Happens

The PCBs are inspected right after the components have been soldered to the circuit board. This ensures any problems can be caught as quickly as possible and fixed.

Want to learn more? Read our complete guide to PCBs and electronic assembly.

 

The Top 12 Reasons Why Companies Partner with Hallmark Nameplate

If you are a company who expects the job well done the first time, along with individualized customer service, then you are a great fit for Hallmark Nameplate. We welcome the opportunity to be your supplier and partner in bringing quality products to market in the medical, computer, telecommunications, OEM, military and aerospace industries.

Hallmark does more than just nameplates. Over the past 55 years we have successfully grown our expertise to also include both engineering and manufacturing of graphic overlays, membrane switches, electronic assemblies, and control panels. No matter which components fit your needs, Hallmark will provide custom designed products and engineering support services to ensure a successful partnership.

Actually, there are many ways in which we can help our partners be successful. Here are the top 12 reasons why companies want to partner with Hallmark Nameplate.

  1. Qualifications: As a veteran-owned company with over 55 years of experience producing thousands of products, we are the best choice for engineering and manufacturing standard and customized products.
  2. Highest Quality: Our commitment to quality is what sets us apart. We hold ourselves to high standards. These standards allow us to produce military-grade and medical products.
  3. Speed to Market: With the constant technological advances, whether it is download speeds, or a graphic overlay procurement, there is no doubt consumers expect fast results. At Hallmark, we are constantly upgrading our manufacturing equipment to ensure fast turn-around (24 to 48 hour premiums, two weeks standard). By keeping our technology current, we have been able to stay competitive and cut prep times down by 50%, while increasing quality and proficiency by 75%.
  4. Never Settle: Hallmark strives to be the best and most reliable for all of our customers, and it shows in the work we do and how we run our business.
  5. Certifications: Hallmark Nameplate is an ISO 9001:2008 registered manufacturer of industrial nameplates, membrane switches, graphic overlays, control panels, printed circuit boards, and provides value-adds like assemblies, laser and die-cut fabrication, and box builds. Most recently we received the ISO 13485 certification for medical devices. We are also listed as an approved supplier with CSA, UL, and ITAR.
  6. Word of Mouth: Tom from North Dakota can testify to our professionalism and high standards. He completed his review of over 30 potential companies for a project. His company chose Hallmark Nameplate stating, “Your quality, price and communication is impeccable and it is so hard to find a supplier these days that meet these 3 very important details.”
  7. Nameplate Products: Hallmark Nameplate offers state-of-the-art laser and die cut fabrication. We are set up to produce nameplates in large or small runs for just about every substrate with any adhesive material to fit your specifications. Our facility gives us the ability to offer both screen and digital printing.
  8. Graphic Overlays: Just like nameplates, we produce high-quality graphic overlays using the same state-of-the-art equipment. Additional processing such as embossing, trans-colored display windows, or selective texturing creates the final overlay. Our talented in-house engineering and graphic teams are available to assist at any time.
  9. Membrane Switches: Our switches feature a robust construction that is completely sealed off from the outside environment. We manufacture membrane switches in both tactile and non-tactile variations, which support a wide variety of designs and applications. Each membrane switch is specially configured to your product specifications.
  10. Electronic Assemblies: With our combined core competencies and vendor partnerships we are able to provide our customers with fully functional assemblies. This integration allows us to take your prototype from its design to circuit board to full visual and electronic testing. Our electronic manufacturing services provide everything you need in the development of your product’s electrical components. Box builds, printed circuit boards, and assembled prototypes from Hallmark Nameplate have been rated among the highest quality in North America.
  11. Control Panels: Our control panels and control displays are manufactured to the highest quality using reliable, consistent materials. We have the ability to create a control panel assembly that is complete, including all interfaces, controls, displays, and electronics. Our engineering and graphics departments are also available if needed.
  12. Scalable: Not only do we offer customizable products, but we also offer scalable solutions for our customers with the ability to assemble only partial components for jobs that do not require a complete product.

Now, let us show you how Hallmark Nameplate can be a great partner and help your company succeed.