Application Watch: Switches makers boost production, step up R&D on smaller but rugged types for drones

More drones for consumer, commercial and military applications require miniature but sturdier switches.

Suppliers of switches in China targeting the drone market look forward to rising demand as the application now spans the consumer, commercial and military fields. They will continue to increase output and R&D to take advantage of this opportunity.

From 3.13 million units produced worldwide in 2018, drones are expected to reach 3.707 million by end-2019, according to statistics from Gartner. In market scale, the line reached $7.8 billion in 2018, going up by 28 percent YoY, and is expected to maintain this rate of increase in 2019 and through 2020.

There is a similar trend in the China industry. Types for civilian applications had an aggregate market of $1.97 billion and those for the military sector $1.76 billion in 2018, according to AskCI Consulting. These values will respectively rise to $2.9 billion and $2.2 billion by the end of 2019. In years to come, a sizeable 20 to 30 percent growth is anticipated.

In the switches category, the benefit will be a 10 to 15 percent annual increase in shipments through 2020. Makers have been raising production, with some sustaining investment in manufacturing capability. Yueqing Anhe Electronics Co. Ltd did so by 10 percent in 2018 and has introduced new equipment to maintain output buildup by up to 15 percent until 2020.

Suppliers are developing smaller and reliable switches to match drones that are lighter and more compact, and have a long flight time. They highlight rugged features that can withstand vibration and heat, and can provide water-resistant variants with a rating of up to IP68.

To ensure product quality, local companies promote switches that pass CE, CQC, ENEC, RoHS, TÜV and UL requirements.

About 100 makers in China offer switches for drones. Half of these companies are locally owned and churn out mainly entry-level and midrange kinds, and the rest with foreign investment cater to the midrange and high-end segments.

All are engaged in the manufacture of switches for home appliances, consumer electronics, computers and peripherals, and medical equipment. For the majority, drones account for 5 to 20 percent of shipments.

Production sites are mainly found in Shenzhen and Dongguan in Guangdong province, Yueqing in Zhejiang, and Changzhou and Suzhou in Jiangsu.

More switches suppliers are expected to target the drone market in coming years.

Slide & toggle types lead

China's mainstream range of switches for drones consists of slide, toggle, push-button and tactile types. The first two lead shipments.

Products with a slider come in variants with two or three positions and 6 to 12VDC rated voltage. Toggle kinds have a rated voltage of 5 to 12VDC and rated current of 30 to 200mA.

Both types can endure more than 100,000 cycles.

Dongguan Createn Electronics Co. Ltd has push-button switches with a 500,000-cycle electrical life span and 1 million-cycle mechanical life span. There are among Yueqing Anhe's tactile units those that support an operating life span of 500,000 cycles.

Releases are available in non- and water-resistant models, with the latter in choices starting at IP64.

Makers turn out standard selections, but also welcome customization. Units based on the latter constitute between 30 and 50 percent of total yield.

The key metal and plastic materials used in manufacturing switches include copper, silver, gold and PVC. Companies source them locally, turning to foreign providers only to accommodate requests.

Input cost is expected to stay stable and keep prices unchanged in the months ahead. Some suppliers, however, might continue to reduce their quotes to boost orders as more competitors jump on the bandwagon and capitalize on the broadening drone market.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our China-based market analyst for representing current trends in switches for drones from China makers.

Push-button switch supports 1 million mechanical cycles

With resistive load, the model PF Series push-button switch from Dongguan Createn Electronics Co. Ltd has a maximum rating of 32VAC 400mA, 50VDC 200mA or 125VAC, 125mA. Its maximum initial contact is 50mohm and the minimum insulation resistance 1Gohm at 500VDC. Dielectric strength is 1,500VAC rms. The unit has an electrical life span of 500,000 cycles at full load and a mechanical life span of 1 million cycles. It operates in -30 to 85 C.

The 500-unit minimum order has a delivery lead time of 10 days.

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Slide switch has 200±80gf force

Kaihua Electronics Co. Ltd's model CSL661409S01 slide switch has a 6VDC, 0.3A rating, 200±80gf force and at least 10,000-cycle life span.

The minimum order is 6,000 units. Delivery takes 15 days.

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10.16x9.2mm subminiature slide switch

Taclex Electronics Co. Ltd offers the 5F Series model, a 10.16x9.2mm subminiature slide switch with 20mohm maximum initial contact resistance at 2 to 4VDC, 100mA whether the contacts are silver- or gold-plated. The minimum insulation resistance is 1,000Mohm and the minimum dielectric strength 1,000Vrms at sea level. The unit has a mechanical life span of 30,000 cycles. It operates in -30 to 85 C.

An order of at least 3,000 units is required for delivery within 20 days.

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Tactile switch supports 500,000 cycles

This tactile switch from Yueqing Anhe Electronics Co. Ltd, AHTactSwitche model, has a 12VDC, maximum 50mA rating, 100mohm maximum contact resistance and 100Mohm minimum insulation resistance. The dielectric strength is 250VAC/min. The unit with a 500,000-cycle life span requires 180±10gf operating force.

The minimum order is 1,000 units. Delivery lead time is 3 days.

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