Control foils and keyboard foils as a protective cover for keys and control lamps
The control and keyboard foils are self-adhesive plates made of strong plastic foils in individual formats and designs. They have a functional character as keys and additionally serve the information and decoration. They will be applied e.g. onto electronic devices, machines and housings and are durable for a long time.
Contrary to the front panels, where the keys protrude through the cut-outs, the control and keyboard foils have embossed areas, under which the keys or buttons are located. They are located safely and water-proof under the keyboard foil, which covers the control unit completely and closes it securely. The user information will be printed on the control foil. This way a device can be manufactured completely and adjusted to different national languages for the export with the help of different keyboard foils.
They offer a high user convenience and are an intersection to the customer and guarantee that the displays and control elements like e.g. on/off switches or charge indicators remain usable for the complete life cycle of a product.
The main features of control foils and keyboard foils
- Individual forms, embossed areas for keys and transparent areas for indicator lights
- Very thin and space-saving and low-weight
- Waterproof and dustproof closure of functionalities like keys, buttons and indicators
- Thick robust foil material in different thicknesses
- Impact- and scratch-proof against mechanical influences
- Precisely fitting for individual notches and indentations in control panels and surfaces
- Very high adhesive power of the labels also to difficult substrates
- Permanent legibility for a long time, no discoloring
- Weather resistant, also outdoors and at extreme temperatures
- Vibrant, UV-light resistant printing inks
- Resistant to cleaning with high-pressure and in contact with cleaning chemicals and solvents
- Dimensionally stable and sturdy: blister- and wrinkle-free, shrinkage-free
- Rounded corners for the protection against load as well as flaps for peeling-off possible
- Suitable for dry adhesion
- Environmentally friendly PVC-free plastic foils possible
- Suitable for the standard-compliant labeling like e.g. UL/CSA etc.
Functions and advantages – precisely tailored to your requirements for the labeling
The control foils and keyboard foils will be precisely adhered in small indentations and notches to the respective surface to prevent tearing-off or damage. The keyboard foil often compensates the indentations. The transparent parts allow for the visibility of indicator lights and displays. Onto the keyboard foils the user information for the control units like e.g. keys, buttons, and controllers will be printed. The sorts in different languages allow for a cost-efficient adjustment of products for the export.
The control foils and keyboard foils offer the best possible flexibility and will be adjusted individually to the customer’s requirements. This happens by using suitable special materials by leading manufacturers, individual die-cutting forms and premium adhesives.
Some products to be labeled can also have very rough or dusty surfaces, which can be safely labeled with matching adhesives.
Our upscale and accurate processing with most modern die-cutting technologies guarantees the highest precision and reliability for the application of control foils and keyboard foils. Thus even foils with adhesives which are difficult to process can be processed very well, which increases the user efficiency in the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Industrial applications of labeling solutions for front panels and control elements
The typical labeling products in the area of control foils and keyboard foils are device inscriptions, measuring scales, user information, technical plates, type plates, rating plates as well as caution- and warning labels. They can be found e.g. on machines, housings, electronic devices, monitors, appliances, switch components, and device controls.
This type of labeling can be applied for example in the following branches and areas:
- Mechanical engineering (engines, machines, and machine tools)
- Automotive manufacturing (OEMs, suppliers)
- Electric tools engineering (tools, home appliances, office machines etc.)
- Electronic appliances (touch panels, displays)
- Vehicle construction (public transport, freight transport, ships and train construction)
- Medical products (active, non-active and products with measuring function)
- Chemical industry (container labeling)
- Sports equipment/devices (bikes, gym equipment)
- Telecommunication (devices, control cabinets)
- Control- and surveillance technology (control panels)
Individual specificity of control foils and keyboard foils
The control foils and keyboard foils made of polyester or polycarbonate will be often printed with the inside printing method. Due to the transparent material the print is protected against all damaging influences. The labels have transparent areas for the display indications or control lamps. Partial cutouts for control buttons, as positioning marks and positioning support as well as individual form die-cuts for products and parts are also an integral component.
Technical key data of our control foils and keyboard foils
- Temperature resistance from +150° C (302° F) C to -40° C (-40° F)
- UV- and weather resistant foils up to max. 10 years
- Very thick (300µ) combinations of foils possible
- High performance materials made of polyvinylchloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC) and polyester (PET
- Permanent adhesives with a very good adhesive power for high- and low-energy substrates
- Diverse carrier materials like compressed kraft paper in different thicknesses, transparent plastic liner, kraft paper siliconized on both sides, and environmentally stable kraft paper available
- Foil features are very dimensionally stable, tear- and impact-proof
Certifications
As a manufacturer robos-labels has a wide range of already approved and certified labeling solutions.
When additional customized licenses are required, we can take on the approval- and certification process if desired.
We also cover the first article inspections (PPF, production process and product release) in accordance with the specifications of German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) as well as the American counterpart, a PPAP inspection (Production Part Approval Process) of the AIAG (Automotive Industry Action Group).
We already meet the following standards and regulations with our raw materials:
- UL969A:2020 Standard for Marking and Labeling Systems – Flag Labels, Flag Tags, Wrap-Around-Labels and Related Products
- UL817 Safety cord sets and power supply cords
- UL2238 Cable assemblies and fittings for industrial control and signal distribution
- UL94 Flammability of plastic materials for parts in devices and appliances (UL VTM-0 strictest classification)
- FMVSS 302 Evaluation of the flammability of interior materials (flammability/burn rate)
- REACH, RoHS and IMDS conformity
- ADR 2021 Ordinance on the transport of dangerous goods by road, rail and inland waterways (GGVSEB)
- CLP Regulation (Classification, Labelling and Packaging, in accordance with EC No. 1272/2008)
- BS 5609 Label resistance to saline sea water
- DIN EN ISO 11683:1997-11 Packaging — Tactile warnings of danger — Requirements
- FDA 175.105 INDIRECT FOOD ADDITIVES: ADHESIVES AND COMPONENTS OF COATINGS
