How To Program The Membrane Switch Tester
How easy is it to set up a new Panel?
1. Plug a good panel into Darren and click "learn". Darren will find all "Short" Push all the key switches.
2. A table will then appear with a list of all the LED's and switches (together with resistances). Adjust the resistance values if necessary to the thresholds in your product specification.
3. Copy a picture of your product on to the computer. A jpeg, GIF or bmp will be fine, your drawing package should be able to produce this.
4. Click the mouse on the picture to tell the system where all the buttons and LED's are on the screen.
5. Type in any instructions that you want the operator to read before testing.
6. Type in the part number and click save.
It will only take minutes to set up a panel, and you only have to do it once.
 |
This is the setup screen showing switches, LED's and resistances. |
 |
Setting up the switches and LED's couldn't be easier! |
How easy is it to test a Panel?
1. Type in the part number. A picture of the panel will appear on the screen.
2. Plug in a panel. Push the footswitch. The panel will be tested for shorts and all the LED's will be electrically tested. (this takes less than a second)
3. All the LED's will be illuminated, check that the colours are as shown on the screen. Push the footswitch to indicate that they are correct.
4. Push all the key switches in any order. Darren will check the resistances against the thresholds and then make a sound to indicate the result of all the tests. Any problems will be shown on the screen. A flashing dot on the picture will show you where it is.
5. Unplug the panel and repeat from item 2.
This is the Test Screen
 |
 |
 |
 |
Test Results
Why does Darren use a footswitch and make sounds?
So that you can keep your hands and eyes on the panel you are testing.
You only need to look at the screen if there is a fault as the sound tells you where you are in a test and what the result is.
You only need to use a keyboard or a mouse to start testing a new batch or if you have a faulty panel. You start each panel by using the footswitch and push it once during the test to confirm that the correct colour LED's are fitted (they are automatically electrically tested.)
We have been making test equipment for over 20 years, we know that every time you use a keyboard or look up at a screen you are taking your hands and eyes off the job in hand.
The Darren will comfortably test between 500 and 1000 average panels in a day. This means that every key pressed or switch turned will be multiplied by 1000, all the extra operations soon mount up. It takes time and it also puts a strain on the operator if they are stretching across to switches and keyboards during every test.
Can Darren provide full test documentation?
Darren will print a sheet for each panel if required, this gives the resistance of every switch, the batch number, time and date of test.
The results of all tests are stored in an Access database so you archive all tests, you could copy these onto a CD and send it to your customer if required. The database will store the resistance of every switch tested, this will allow you to plot changes in resistance and produce reports on product quality.
Click for a Free Quotation
Part No |
Description |
B831 - 32 |
32 lines "Darren" Membrane Switch Tester |
B831 - 64 |
64 lines "Darren" Membrane Switch Tester |
B831 - 100 |
2.5mm and 1.25 mm Interface adaptor board |
B831 - 110 |
1.0mm and 0.5 mm (SMT ZIF) Interface adaptor boardr |
B831 - 500 |
Label Printer |
B831 - FP32 |
Pneumatic Finger System |