Computer Key Boards (Membrane Type)  

Uploaded on : May 2013

Product and Applications

In order to communicate with the computer system we need some input device and an output device. Input device is used to feed data into the computer and output device is required by the computer to communicate the result to the user. Key board is an important part of the computer peripherals. It has provisions for both alphabetic as well as numeric entries. It is basically a data entry medium for the system. The main component of any keyboard is the key switch. These switches convert the typing action into proper signal for the key board interface, so that inter face will know that a key is being depressed. Different technology used to make these switches are:

• Membrane Technology
• Mechanical switches
• Rubber dome switch

Membrane Switch:

A membrane keyboard is a multi layer plastic or rubber assembly which is commonly used as key board in various devices such as video game machines, calculators, cash registers etc.
In this keyboard, two rubber or plstic sheets are used as row conductor sheet and column conductor sheet. These row and column sheets are separated by another sheet with holes at at the keytop positions.
When the keytop is pressed, it forces the row conductor sheet through the hole to touch the column conductor sheet.
When the row lines on the row conductor sheet touch the column line on the column conductor sheet, key contact is made. This is interpreted by the keyboard interface as key closure.
Normally key boards have 108 keys but boards with 111 keys are also popularly used in multimedia applications. The key board operates on power derived from the computer. A good key board offers smooth travel to touch without any hindrance. The key board should also be free of key bounce. A good key board should have keys properly spaced for easy use.
A normal keyboard has various key for different operations. The keys may be categorized as :

• Typewriter or alphabet keys
• Numeric keys
• Cursor movement keys
• Function keys
• Special purpose keys etc.

Industry Profile and Market Assessment

The demand for key boards is directly related to the growth of electronics industry, especially computer segment. The expansion of internet facilities even to rural areas has increased the demand for computers in the country. The key board assembly is generally a procured item and most of the renowned computer manufacturers outsource it to vendors in the small scale sector. It is estimated that 80% of the demand of key boards is met by the small scale sector. A substantial part is imported. Besides, there is also a great demand of key boards from medical electronics also as most of diagnostics medical equipment now days are based on computer technology and use key boards for data entry. With urbanization and fast growth of industry the demand for such products is ever increasing.

Manufacturing Process & Know How

The manufacture of key boards involves simple assembly process involving electronic and mechanical components and sub assemblies, integrating them into a compact unit. As per the design electronic circuitory is assembled on a printed circuit board using ICs, Transistors, diodes, passive components and is tested for performance. The mechanical sub assembly involves fixing the membrane cable and rubber key boards etc. on the base plate as per the design. The key buttons shall have indelible marking for their function. These two sub assemblies are then integrated by aligning for appropriate contact points on the membrane. The whole assembly is enclosed in an appealing case. The complete key board is tested for performance as per relevant specification. The tested boards are properly packed for dispatch.
The installed production capacity is to manufacture 48000 nos of different types of equipment per annum on single shift basis working for 300 days per year.
Know how is available indigenously.

Plant and Machinery

• The main plant and machinery involved include such equipment/machines for assembly and fault diagnosis of equipment,  testing and quality control,  insulation testers etc.

The same may be enumerated as:

• Multi meters,
• Oscilloscopes,
• Bench Drill
• Bench Grinder
• Computer with standard key board, Monitor, and software for testing of key board.
• Power Supplies 30V,2A.
• Digital LCR meter,
• IC Tester,
• Variacs,
• Soldering/De Soldering Station
• High voltage TV probe, TV/VCR Remote Tester, Transistor Tester.

This may need an investment of nearly Rs. 1.40 lakhs. Dies, jigs and fixtures, office furniture etc need another Rs. 0.80 lakhs. The total cost of plant and machinery is estimated to be Rs2.20 lakhs.
The total power requirement for the unit is estimated to be 5KVA, water will be required for general use only, and there is no special requirement of water for the manufacturing purpose.

Raw material and Components

The total cost of raw material and components such as integrated circuits, capacitors, displays, noise filters, PCBs, membrane key tops and Plunger, Housing, cable connector etc, and other electronic components wires, has been estimated to be Rs. 96.00 lakhs per annum at 100% capacity. At 60% capacity utilization it works to Rs57.60 Lakhs. Any special component will be procured as and when needed.

 

Land and Building

For smooth operation of the unit it will require a built up area of 175 sq. mts. The total cost of the same is estimated to be Rs. 5.00 lakhs.

Manpower

For smooth functioning of the unit the requirement of man power is expected to be around 6 persons. This includes Sales & Service engineer 1 no /Production staff 1 nos., skilled workers 2 nos., helpers 2 nos. The annual salary bill is estimated to be around Rs.5.64 lakhs.

Sales Revenue

For the purpose of estimates and to arrive at profitability turn over has been estimated based on the annual production of 48000 nos of Key boards of different types as 107/108/111 keys. The total annual turnover taking an average price of Rs. 275/- per key board is estimated to be Rs. 132.00 lakhs at 100% capacity utilization. At 60% capacity it works out to Rs 79.20 lakhs.

Cost of Project

	Rs. lakhs
Land & Building	5.00
Plant & Machinery	2.20
Other assets	0.80
Contingencies	0.30
P & P expenses.	0.75
Margin money	4.17
Total	13.22

Means of finance

Term Loan	6.25
Promoter’s  contribution	6.97
Total	13.22

 

Profitability: (60% capacity)

	Rs. lakhs
Sales	79.20
Raw material	57.60
Salary	5.64
Utilities	0.23
Rep. Maintenance	2.20
Sales expenses	3.96
Admn.expenses	0.80
Depreciation	0.22
Int. W.C	0.82
Interest T. Loan	0.81
Cost of production	72.28
Profit	6.92

 

Requirement of Working Capital

			W.C	Margin money
Raw material & packing	15 days	30%	2.88	0.86
Stock of finished goods	15 days	25%	3.37	0.84
Working expenses	1 month	100%	1.48	1.48
Sale on credit	1 days	25%	3.96	0.99
Margin money for W.C				4.17

Break Even point

• 35%  at installed capacity

Machinery & material supplier

a) M/S Kamal Electronics.
Laxmi Building, J.C. Road,
Bangalore.

b) M/S Aplab Limited,
XL I/583, II Floor,
Krishna Nivas, Adv, Eshwara Iyer Road,
Kochi..

c) M/S Signet Electronics P Ltd.
Champak lal Industrial Estate,
Sion, Mumbai.

d) M/S Pieco Electronics & Electricals
Shiv Sagar Estate,
Dr. Annie Besant Road,
Mumbai.

e) M/S RX Electronic Centre,
Padmalayam Building,
M.G. Road, Pallimukku,
Kochi.

f) M/S Sysco Associates.
234, 11th. Main, Malleswaram,
Bangalore

g) M/S Jain Electronic Centre,
Emgee Square, Padma Junction,
M.G.Road, Kochi.

h) M/S Component & Devices,
Manikkirl Cross Road,
Kochi.

For further information please contact

Information Manager
TIMEIS Project
E-mail: timeis@ficci.com