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Capacitive switches are far more than just simple touch switches - and can withstand a lot. © Captron

Mechanical push-buttons no longer have much in common with the new generation of capacitive push-buttons. While the former still require human force to actuate, the capacitive, electronic push-buttons are switched by a gentle touch. The button builds up an electric field and measures the capacitance between the surface and the sensor environment. If a hand approaches the push-button, the capacitance increases and the switching process is carried out. Even a glove does not interfere with the functionality.

Robust and durable

The "safeCap" two-hand control protects against injuries. © Captron

The system reliably detects unintentional or inattentive switching with just one hand or another part of the body and the machine is not triggered. The buttons also register disruptive factors such as dirt and dust. Operation with disposable or work gloves is possible.

If a mechanical switch has to be operated several hundred times by an employee, this can lead to fatigue and wear and tear on the joints. In contrast, "safeCAP" is specially designed for daily and fatigue-free continuous use. No pressure needs to be exerted and safety is still guaranteed thanks to the two-hand control. End customers are already relying less and less on standardized solutions. This is due to CI or industry-specific requirements and personal preferences. Manufacturers must therefore be able to implement orders from a batch size of one. Furthermore, buyers expect short delivery times and autonomous ordering processes via EDI interfaces. New-generation buttons enable operating patterns that were previously only known from smartphones, but are now becoming established in the industry. For example, if the user presses a button twice in quick succession or holds it down for a long time, various actions are carried out. Push-buttons can even be programmed for certain sensitivities.

In addition to the push-button function, the switches can also be equipped with a display. © Captron

In the areas of industrial automation, systems and machines, as well as in food and beverage technology, push buttons are demonstrating their advantages as intelligent IoT devices. In the logistics sector and e-commerce, there are already projects in which a push button not only supplies operating and status information to downstream IT systems, but also provides operating instructions and instructions via its own small display. The potential of an intelligent push button is best exploited when it is perfectly integrated into downstream production solutions, such as ERP or MES systems.

By Julie Dörr, freelance journalist from Munich