Polyform Is The Future HMI Surface

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Polyform is a new Human Machine Interface (HMI) technology that enables customized closed input surfaces with a button that has tactile feedback for all kind of applications in automotive, instruments, medical, white goods etc. The surface is completely closed and therefore sealed. Other than with capacitive switches Polyform enables the option of tactile feedback on the buttons with great advantage of operation security and comfort. The buttons can be flat or embossed from the surface. Displays with optional touch detection can be integrated in the same surface without any gaps.

Polyform can be an overlay or combined with housing. The body and the parting line can be design in any 3D shape, this is demonstrated by our bed side radio prototype. Number of parts is drastically reduced compared to traditional tactile key design with plastic keys, actuators, bezels etc.

Thanks to a crystal clear Polyurethane over-mold, the surface simply follows any mold structure as glossy or matte. The thickness can be varied to get depth effects. This special surface material is absolutely scratch resistant (self healing) and chemical resistant so that it passes also harsh environmental requirements.

• Completely closed / gapless
• Tactile (illuminated) button
• Integrated (touch) display
• Free 3D shape to flat
• 100% water proof and easy to clean
• Self healing & abrasion resistant
• Combination Matte & glossy surface
• Reduction of number of parts
• Dead front option
• Water proof
• Easy to clean
• No bacteria
• UV resistant

Potential Polyform Automotive Applications

Closed surface – spherical to flat but with structure
Material properties and self healing surface

Technology Particulars

Surface structure can be any combination of:

• Matte or / and Glossy
• Depth effect
• 3D embossed keys, logo’s, etc.
• Flat- / round- / wing keys

Ribs Any color can be printed

Printing protected by surface layer

Lighting options, printing and material transparency

• Backlightning of keys by LED’s
• Functional lighting
• General back lighting
• Dead front design (lowest 3 keys in picture)

Full range of functions can be integrated due to “hard to soft materials” and Abatek’s functional solutions

Reduced Weight and Compexity Reduction – Example Steering Wheel Switch 

Sketch of Steering Wheel Switch in Polyform

Advantages Polyform for example Chrysler Steering Wheel Switch

• No wobbling of keys despite being bridgeless
• More modern look with closed surface
• More design options as surface can be shaped and grained as wanted, i.e. glossy next to matte, etc. 
• Self healing surface
• Dead front / Black Panel possible
• Thinner and lighter 
• Easy to make more versions by printing. Also more colors can be used.
• Less assembly steps
• Highly modular concept, e.g. blue-, black-, red line

Surface is build up in 3 main layers

Designed For Easy & Modular Assembly

Contact Information

www.abatek.com

Again, advantages of Polyform in General”

• Closed HMI technology to generate 3D structures and full freedom for design and artwork.
• Any surface shape possible, i.e. matt, glossy, brushed, etc.
• Any color possible
• Supports tactile, force sensing, capacitive, graphic & segment lighting, black panel, etc.
• Different stack-ups depending on application.
• Uses Polyurethane that is highly scratch resistant and has a self-healing effect.
• Surface hardness can be adjusted
• In mass production

Automotive KEYFOB

• Spherical closed surface.
• Self-healing and scratch resistant
• Segments so that finger knows where to push.
• Tactile feel

Automotive Center Stack

• Great design with brushed and matt surface
• Tactile- and capacitive function
• Back lighting
• 4 colors