ASTM F3290-17
(Guide)Standard Guide for Handling and Application of a Membrane Switch or Printed Electronic Device to its Final Support Structure (Withdrawn 2023)
Standard Guide for Handling and Application of a Membrane Switch or Printed Electronic Device to its Final Support Structure (Withdrawn 2023)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Membrane switches or printed electronic devices are tested for function and aesthetically inspected by the manufacturer before release to the end user. The user can unknowingly damage the device beyond repair prior to, or during, the application (laminating) process.
5.2 Awareness and proper techniques are essential to the end user and this guide should be noted on all drawings, quality control documentation, and assembly instructions. Proper training and practice must be provided to work area supervisors and their staff.
5.3 Concerning materials choice, consistency, and design in use, it is important to know what to look for and how to design for durability and to test for or prevent potential failures, or both.
5.4 Component failure due to handling damage is one of the most common causes of customer complaints. It is the end user’s responsibility to ensure that the product is not damaged during installation
5.5 In the event of component failures a comparison of pre- and post-assembly test performance may help determine the cause of failure. Even if an acceptable change is noted, it may be the result of the unit being over stressed and the application process should be reviewed and changed if necessary. It is important to determine if the change or failure is one that should have withstood the application process, or whether the application process is causing undue stress. Bend, Crease, and Mandrel Testing in accordance with Test Methods F2749, F2750, and F3147 may be necessary to determine the root cause and location of failure.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers proper handling and application of a flexible circuit membrane switch, or printed electronic assembly to its final support structure to avoid mechanical or electrical failure.
1.2 Damage of internal tactile devices or surface mount device (SMD) components can occur with excessive flexing or bending during lamination, repositioning, from uneven support surface, air entrapment, or pressing keys when unsupported.
1.3 Design considerations and material selection can impact the membrane switch or the printed electronic device’s ability to endure the mechanical stress that can occur in handling, application and use. These should be considered as early as possible in the design phase.
1.4 Recent advancements in printed electronic polymer materials have shown increased reliability from flexing and creasing, replacing copper flex circuits in many cases.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This guide covers proper handling and application of a flexible circuit membrane switch, or printed electronic assembly to its final support structure to avoid mechanical or electrical failure.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee F01 on Electronics, this guide was withdrawn in November 2023. This standard is being withdrawn without replacement because Committee F01 was disbanded.
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Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F3290 − 17
Standard Guide for
Handling and Application of a Membrane Switch or Printed
1
Electronic Device to its Final Support Structure
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3290; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Rolling Mandrel Bend
1.1 This guide covers proper handling and application of a
3. Terminology
flexible circuit membrane switch, or printed electronic assem-
3.1 Definitions:
bly to its final support structure to avoid mechanical or
3.1.1 membrane switch (MS), n—a momentary switching
electrical failure.
device in which at least one contact is on, or made of, a flexible
1.2 Damage of internal tactile devices or surface mount
substrate.
device (SMD) components can occur with excessive flexing or
3.1.2 printed electronic device (PED), n—electrically func-
bending during lamination, repositioning, from uneven support
tional device manufactured primarily using an additive
surface, air entrapment, or pressing keys when unsupported.
process, with or without attached conventional or other elec-
1.3 Design considerations and material selection can impact
tronic components, often in flexible format.
the membrane switch or the printed electronic device’s ability
to endure the mechanical stress that can occur in handling,
4. Summary of Guide
application and use. These should be considered as early as
4.1 This guide provides recommendations or best practices
possible in the design phase.
to prevent damage to membrane switches or printed electronic
1.4 Recent advancements in printed electronic polymer devices from unsupported use or excessive stress during the
materials have shown increased reliability from flexing and
application to the final supporting structure.
creasing, replacing copper flex circuits in many cases.
5. Significance and Use
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
5.1 Membrane switches or printed electronic devices are
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
tested for function and aesthetically inspected by the manufac-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
turer before release to the end user. The user can unknowingly
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
damage the device beyond repair prior to, or during, the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
application (laminating) process.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.2 Awarenessandpropertechniquesareessentialtotheend
2. Referenced Documents
user and this guide should be noted on all drawings, quality
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
control documentation, and assembly instructions. Proper
F2749 Test Method for Determining the Effects of Creasing trainingandpracticemustbeprovidedtoworkareasupervisors
a Membrane Switch or Printed Electronic Device and their staff.
F2750 Test Method for Determining the Effects of Bending
5.3 Concerning materials choice, consistency, and design in
a Membrane Switch or Printed Electronic Device
use, it is important to know what to look for and how to design
F3147 Test Method for Evaluating the Reliability of Surface
for durability and to test for or prevent potential failures, or
Mounted Device (SMD) Joints on a Flexible Circuit by a
both.
5.4 Component failure due to handling damage is one of the
1
most common causes of customer complaints. It is the end
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F01 on
Electronics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F01.18 on Printed
user’s responsibility to ensure that the product is not damaged
Electronics.
during installation
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2017. Published November 2017. DOI:
10.1520/F3290-17.
5.5 In the event of component failures a comparison of pre-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and post-assembly test performance may help determine the
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
cause of failure. Even if an acceptable change is noted, it may
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. be the result of the unit being over stressed and the application
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F3290 − 17
process should be reviewed and changed if necessary. It is 6.2.1 The mat
...
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: F3290 − 17
Standard Guide for
Handling and Application of a Membrane Switch or Printed
1
Electronic Device to its Final Support Structure
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3290; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Rolling Mandrel Bend
1.1 This guide covers proper handling and application of a
3. Terminology
flexible circuit membrane switch, or printed electronic assem-
3.1 Definitions:
bly to its final support structure to avoid mechanical or
3.1.1 membrane switch (MS), n—a momentary switching
electrical failure.
device in which at least one contact is on, or made of, a flexible
1.2 Damage of internal tactile devices or surface mount
substrate.
device (SMD) components can occur with excessive flexing or
3.1.2 printed electronic device (PED), n—electrically func-
bending during lamination, repositioning, from uneven support
tional device manufactured primarily using an additive
surface, air entrapment, or pressing keys when unsupported.
process, with or without attached conventional or other elec-
1.3 Design considerations and material selection can impact
tronic components, often in flexible format.
the membrane switch or the printed electronic device’s ability
to endure the mechanical stress that can occur in handling, 4. Summary of Guide
application and use. These should be considered as early as
4.1 This guide provides recommendations or best practices
possible in the design phase.
to prevent damage to membrane switches or printed electronic
1.4 Recent advancements in printed electronic polymer
devices from unsupported use or excessive stress during the
materials have shown increased reliability from flexing and application to the final supporting structure.
creasing, replacing copper flex circuits in many cases.
5. Significance and Use
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
5.1 Membrane switches or printed electronic devices are
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
tested for function and aesthetically inspected by the manufac-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
turer before release to the end user. The user can unknowingly
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
damage the device beyond repair prior to, or during, the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
application (laminating) process.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.2 Awareness and proper techniques are essential to the end
2. Referenced Documents
user and this guide should be noted on all drawings, quality
2
2.1 ASTM Standards: control documentation, and assembly instructions. Proper
F2749 Test Method for Determining the Effects of Creasing training and practice must be provided to work area supervisors
a Membrane Switch or Printed Electronic Device and their staff.
F2750 Test Method for Determining the Effects of Bending
5.3 Concerning materials choice, consistency, and design in
a Membrane Switch or Printed Electronic Device
use, it is important to know what to look for and how to design
F3147 Test Method for Evaluating the Reliability of Surface
for durability and to test for or prevent potential failures, or
Mounted Device (SMD) Joints on a Flexible Circuit by a
both.
5.4 Component failure due to handling damage is one of the
1
most common causes of customer complaints. It is the end
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F01 on
Electronics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F01.18 on Printed
user’s responsibility to ensure that the product is not damaged
Electronics.
during installation
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2017. Published November 2017. DOI:
10.1520/F3290-17.
5.5 In the event of component failures a comparison of pre-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and post-assembly test performance may help determine the
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
cause of failure. Even if an acceptable change is noted, it may
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. be the result of the unit being over stressed and the application
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F3290 − 17
process should be reviewed and changed if necessary. It is 6.2.1 The mating surface should be thoroughly clean and
important to determine if the change or failure is one that
free of dust/debris, lubri
...
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