Shenzhen Hongju's model TS1-1B SPST tactile switch has 100,000-cycle minimum life span. It operates in -10 to 60 C.

Releases have up to 1 million-cycle life span and IP65 rating. Suppliers boost automation efforts for enhanced competitiveness.

China manufacturers of tactile switches are strengthening the subcategory for industrial applications such as automation, equipment, instruments and devices, updates in which have created a large market for the line. They target emerging segments such as industrial tablet computers and PDAs as well. Companies focus on enhanced product reliability, stressing longer operating life span in rugged and harsh environments. Compared with units in portable electronics, such uses require more than 100,000 to 1 million cycles. To achieve this, makers adopt silver-plated stainless steel contacts to reduce contact resistance to below 50ohm.

Suppliers, including Dongguan XKK, have released compliant models. The company’s latest series models support up to 1 million cycles and less than 30mohm contact resistance.

For better water and dust resistance, makers emphasize airtight construction. They offer IP65-rated units, which account for about half of output at present.

Companies also highlight types with LED for status indication, eyeing climbing demand for such kinds in coming years.

To meet various requirements, suppliers will continue to stress customization as OEM and ODM projects are still their strong revenue generators. For this reason, they are improving automation. Some have introduced CNC machining centers from Taiwan and Japan. Companies generally employ pressing equipment from these sources to ensure product quality. For QC, they use life-span and automatic testing machines.

Tactile switches for industrial equipment represent 20 to 30 percent of domestic yield. Uptick in demand raised shipments by 10 percent in the past one or two years. Most makers expect this growth rate to be carried over to the years ahead.

Besides industrial equipment, the local selection includes variants for A/V devices, household appliances, security products, toys, computers and medical equipment. At Wenzhou Gangyuan Electron Co. Ltd, the category has 70 percent share of overall production. The manufacturer plans to sustain output expansion in 2015, targeting a 10 percent increase. It will likewise improve the portion of industrial-use models by 5 to 10 percent.

Makers export 20 to 80 percent of yield, with some allocating as much as 100 percent for overseas distribution. Shipments increased by 5 to 10 percent in the past one or two years. The trend is forecast to last until 2015.

Europe, North America, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region are the major markets abroad for mainland China companies.

There are 500 manufacturers of tactile switches in the mainland, the majority of which are locally owned and the rest with Taiwan or Hong Kong investment. The category accounts for 20 to 70 percent of total output, with other types and connectors making up the rest.

The Pearl River and Yangtze River Delta regions remain the key production hubs, playing host to more than 70 percent of the maker pool and generating about 80 percent of aggregate supply. The top locations are the provinces of Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, specifically the cities of Shenzhen and Dongguan in the first, and Changzhou and Wenzhou respectively in the last two.

Typical units

Tactile switches from mainland suppliers come in DIP and SMD configurations. There are water-resistant and nonwater-resistant types with or without LEDs.

Releases comply with CE, cUL, ENEC, PSE, RoHS, SAA, TÜV, UL and VDE guidelines.

Phosphor bronze, gold, silver and nickel, and thermoplastic are the key materials used.

Most manufacturing inputs are sourced from local providers. Plastic is imported on request.

Prices have been stable and are expected to remain at current levels in the months ahead.

Product gallery

Bailin Electronic Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: 12-12:BL-12C12-3
MOQ: 100 units
Delivery: 5 days
Description: 250±60gf operating force; 12V, 50mA; 0.2±0.1mm full travel; 100,000-cycle life span

Wenzhou Gangyuan Electron Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: KAN1210
MOQ: 10,000 units
Delivery: 7 days
Description: 160 or 250gf operating force; square or round cap; 12x12mm; IP65 rating; for industrial equipment

Shenzhen Hongju Electronics Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: TS1-1B
MOQ: 1,000 units
Delivery: 15 days
Description: SPST type; 200±50 or 300±50gf operating force; 12VDC, 50mA; 100mohm maximum contact, 100Mohm minimum insulation resistance; 250VAC/min dielectric withstand voltage; -10 to 60 C operating temperature; 0.25±0.1mm total travel; 100,000-cycle minimum life span

Shenzhen Hoyata Technology Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: TS606043Z
MOQ: 1,000 units
Delivery: 3 days

Description: 160±30 or 260±30gf operating force; 12VDC, 50mA; 100mohm maximum contact resistance; 250VAC withstand voltage