--- title: Epec's Blog | User Interfaces description: User Interfaces | A manufacturing blog focusing on posts about customized product solutions that are beneficial to engineers or anyone in the electronics industry. --- [![Epec Engineered Technologies](https://www.epectec.com/images/logo.png "Epec Engineered Technologies")](https://www.epectec.com/) [![Epec Engineered Technologies](https://www.epectec.com/images/logo.png "Epec Engineered Technologies")](https://www.epectec.com/) - [Articles](https://www.epectec.com/articles/) - [Blog](https://blog.epectec.com/) - [Webinars](https://www.epectec.com/webinar/) - [Videos](https://www.epectec.com/videos/) - [Case Studies](https://www.epectec.com/case-studies/) - [News & Events](https://www.epectec.com/news/) - [Customer Portal](https://system.netsuite.com/c.406760/site/NSlogin.html) - [About](https://www.epectec.com/about/overview/) - Back - [Company Overview](https://www.epectec.com/about/overview/) - [Our History](https://www.epectec.com/about/our-history/) - 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[Design Guides](https://www.epectec.com/guides/) - [Design Guides](https://www.epectec.com/guides/) - Back - Resources - Back - [Articles](https://www.epectec.com/articles/) - [Blog](https://blog.epectec.com/) - [Webinars](https://www.epectec.com/webinar/) - [Videos](https://www.epectec.com/videos/) - [Case Studies](https://www.epectec.com/case-studies/) - [News & Events](https://www.epectec.com/news/) - [Customer Portal](https://system.netsuite.com/c.406760/site/NSlogin.html) - [Contact Us](https://www.epectec.com/contact/) - Back - [Contact Information](https://www.epectec.com/contact/) - [Our Sales Team](https://www.epectec.com/contact/our-sales-team.html) - [Office Locations](https://www.epectec.com/contact/office-locations.html) - [Career Opportunities](https://www.epectec.com/contact/career-opportunities.html) - [InstantPCB*Quote*™](https://www.epectec.com/instantpcbquote/) - Back - [Overview](https://www.epectec.com/instantpcbquote/) - [Login](https://secure.epecpcb.com/epec/) - [Register](https://secure.epecpcb.com/epec/index2.jsp) [![](https://www.epectec.com/images/InstantPCBQuote-logo.png)](https://www.epectec.com/instantpcbquote/) [Login](https://secure.epecpcb.com/epec/) [Register](https://secure.epecpcb.com/epec/index2.jsp) Register to Quote and Order Your PCBs Fast, Easy & Online, 24/7 - [Home](https://www.epectec.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.epectec.com/) Share This Page: [LinkedIn](https://blog.epectec.com/#linkedin) [X](https://blog.epectec.com/#x) [Facebook](https://blog.epectec.com/#facebook) [Email](https://blog.epectec.com/#email) # Epec's Blog | Electronics Manufacturing Solutions --- ## [Designing User Interfaces for Marine and Outdoor Equipment](https://blog.epectec.com/designing-user-interfaces-for-marine-and-outdoor-equipment) [![User interface keypad used in a marine application](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/blog/keypad-used-in-a-marine-application.jpg "User interface keypad used in a marine application")](https://blog.epectec.com/designing-user-interfaces-for-marine-and-outdoor-equipment) Written by [Steven Goodman](https://blog.epectec.com/author/steven-j-goodman) Posted on August 19, 2026 at 8:48 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Walk outside and look around. Chances are you will interact with several [human-to-machine electronic interfaces](https://www.epectec.com/user-interfaces/) before the day is over. You may use the keypad at a gas station, enter a code on a garage door opener, check a trail camera in the woods, or navigate using a chartplotter multifunction display (MFD) on a boat. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/designing-user-interfaces-for-marine-and-outdoor-equipment) --- ## [Designing HMIs for Environments with High Electrostatic Discharge](https://blog.epectec.com/designing-hmis-for-environments-with-high-electrostatic-discharge) [![HMI with metalized foil tail with grounding provisions](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/blog/hmi-with-metalized-foil-tail.jpg "HMI with metalized foil tail with grounding provisions")](https://blog.epectec.com/designing-hmis-for-environments-with-high-electrostatic-discharge) Written by [Steven Goodman](https://blog.epectec.com/author/steven-j-goodman) Posted on April 2, 2026 at 8:56 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) If you have ever walked across a carpeted floor in the winter and touched a metal doorknob, you have experienced electrostatic discharge firsthand. The quick snap and jolt may be surprising, but for most people, it is harmless and quickly forgotten. For electronics, however, that same event can be far more serious. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/designing-hmis-for-environments-with-high-electrostatic-discharge) --- ## [Designing Your Keypad with Hard Keys in Mind](https://blog.epectec.com/designing-your-keypad-with-hard-keys-in-mind) [![User interface assembly designed with hard keys](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/blog/user-interface-assembly-designed-with-hard-keys.jpg "User interface assembly designed with hard keys")](https://blog.epectec.com/designing-your-keypad-with-hard-keys-in-mind) Written by [Chandler Jardin](https://blog.epectec.com/author/chandler-jardin) Posted on February 18, 2026 at 9:13 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Designing a [keypad](https://www.epectec.com/user-interfaces/custom-keyboards-and-keypads.html) that feels intuitive, durable, and precise is both an art and a science. While touchscreens and soft-key interfaces have become increasingly common, hard keys remain a staple in many industries, especially where tactile feedback, durability, and reliability are crucial. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/designing-your-keypad-with-hard-keys-in-mind) --- ## [Reducing the Overall Thickness of a Membrane Switch](https://blog.epectec.com/reducing-the-overall-thickness-of-a-membrane-switch) [![Example of an FPC membrane switch](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/blog/fpc-membrane-switch.jpg "Example of an FPC membrane switch")](https://blog.epectec.com/reducing-the-overall-thickness-of-a-membrane-switch) Written by [Steven Goodman](https://blog.epectec.com/author/steven-j-goodman) Posted on October 1, 2025 at 9:02 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [Membrane switches](https://www.epectec.com/membranes/) have become a staple in modern [electronic interfaces](https://www.epectec.com/user-interfaces/), delivering reliable user input across industries ranging from consumer electronics to industrial equipment and medical devices. They are frequently chosen because they offer a combination of low cost, ultra-high reliability, and are completely customizable. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/reducing-the-overall-thickness-of-a-membrane-switch) --- ## [User Interface Window Transparency for Backlit LEDs](https://blog.epectec.com/user-interface-window-transparency-for-backlit-leds) [![Membrane switch with three LED windows frosted with white paint](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/blog/membrane-switch-with-three-led-windows.jpg "Membrane switch with three LED windows frosted with white paint")](https://blog.epectec.com/user-interface-window-transparency-for-backlit-leds) Written by [Steven Goodman](https://blog.epectec.com/author/steven-j-goodman) Posted on August 13, 2025 at 9:13 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) In the evolving world of [human-machine interfaces](https://www.epectec.com/user-interfaces/) (HMIs) such as keypads and membrane switches, the demand for backlit components continues to grow across countless applications. These backlit products include industrial controls, [medical devices](https://www.epectec.com/user-interfaces/medical-specifications.html), consumer electronics, and automotive systems. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/user-interface-window-transparency-for-backlit-leds) --- ## [How to Un-Obsolete Your Legacy Keypad Design - Q&A](https://blog.epectec.com/how-to-un-obsolete-your-legacy-keypad-design-q-and-a) [![How to un-obsolete your legacy keypad design](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/www.epectec.comimageshow-to-un-obsolete-your-legacy-keypad-design-3.jpg "How to un-obsolete your legacy keypad design")](https://blog.epectec.com/how-to-un-obsolete-your-legacy-keypad-design-q-and-a) Written by [Epec Engineered Technologies](https://blog.epectec.com/author/epec-engineered-technologies) Posted on June 25, 2025 at 8:04 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) At the conclusion of our webinar, [How to Un-Obsolete Your Legacy Keypad Design](https://www.epectec.com/webinar/06-19-2025/how-to-un-obsolete-your-legacy-keypad-design.html), several questions were submitted to our presenter, Steven J. Goodman, User Interface & Cable Assembly Product Manager. We have compiled these questions into a readable format on our blog. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/how-to-un-obsolete-your-legacy-keypad-design-q-and-a) --- ## [Best Ways to Attach a Wired Lead to a Membrane Switch](https://blog.epectec.com/best-ways-to-attach-a-wired-lead-to-a-membrane-switch) [![Membrane switch showing dome switches](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/blog/membrane-switch-showing-dome-switches.jpg "Membrane switch showing dome switches")](https://blog.epectec.com/best-ways-to-attach-a-wired-lead-to-a-membrane-switch) Written by [Steven Goodman](https://blog.epectec.com/author/steven-j-goodman) Posted on March 26, 2025 at 8:43 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [Membrane switches](https://www.epectec.com/membranes/) are a widely used interface technology, offering a cost-effective, highly reliable, and customizable solution for user input applications. These switches are found in industries ranging from medical devices to industrial controls, where durability and functionality are paramount. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/best-ways-to-attach-a-wired-lead-to-a-membrane-switch) --- ## [Best Practices for Graphic Overlay Color Selection](https://blog.epectec.com/best-practices-for-graphic-overlay-color-selection) [![Graphic overlays that match the customer’s branding](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/blog/graphic-overlays-matching-customer-branding.jpg "Graphic overlays that match the customer’s branding")](https://blog.epectec.com/best-practices-for-graphic-overlay-color-selection) Written by [Steven Goodman](https://blog.epectec.com/author/steven-j-goodman) Posted on February 5, 2025 at 9:09 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) In manufacturing, color is more than just a visual aesthetic. It is a critical factor influencing brand identity, product usability, and customer satisfaction. From the vibrant hues of a [graphic overlay](https://www.epectec.com/overlays/) to the subtle tones of a silicone rubber keypad, manufacturers must navigate a complex world of color callouts to ensure their products meet functional and aesthetic requirements. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/best-practices-for-graphic-overlay-color-selection) --- ## [Using a Membrane Switch as a Resistive Pressure Sensor](https://blog.epectec.com/using-a-membrane-switch-as-a-resistive-pressure-sensor) [![PET circuit membrane switch with carbon ink and the graphic overlay removed](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/blog/pet-circuit-membrane-switch.jpg "PET circuit membrane switch with carbon ink and the graphic overlay removed")](https://blog.epectec.com/using-a-membrane-switch-as-a-resistive-pressure-sensor) Written by [Steven Goodman](https://blog.epectec.com/author/steven-j-goodman) Posted on August 6, 2024 at 8:47 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) In the rapidly evolving world of [keypads and electronic switches](https://www.epectec.com/user-interfaces/), the [membrane switch](https://www.epectec.com/membranes/) has become a vital component in many modern devices. Membrane switches are prized for their durability, reliability, and versatility. Membrane switches are also economical and [made from inexpensive readily available materials](https://www.epectec.com/membranes/design/). Beyond their traditional role as simple on-off switches, these devices can be ingeniously adapted to use as resistive pressure sensors. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/using-a-membrane-switch-as-a-resistive-pressure-sensor) --- ## [Adding Keypads and Cables to Your Injection-Molded Enclosure - Q&A](https://blog.epectec.com/adding-keypads-and-cables-to-your-injection-molded-enclosure-q-and-a) [![Adding keypads and cables to your injection-molded enclosure](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/blog/enclosure-with-panel-mounted-receptacles.jpg "Adding keypads and cables to your injection-molded enclosure")](https://blog.epectec.com/adding-keypads-and-cables-to-your-injection-molded-enclosure-q-and-a) Written by [Epec Engineered Technologies](https://blog.epectec.com/author/epec-engineered-technologies) Posted on August 23, 2023 at 8:44 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) At the conclusion of our webinar, [Adding Keypads and Cables to Your Injection-Molded Enclosure](https://www.epectec.com/webinar/08-18-2023/adding-keypads-and-cables-to-your-injection-molded-enclosure.html), we had several questions submitted to our presenter, Steven J. Goodman, User Interface & Cable Assembly Product Manager at Epec. We have compiled these questions into a readable format on our blog. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/adding-keypads-and-cables-to-your-injection-molded-enclosure-q-and-a) [All posts](https://blog.epectec.com/all) | [Next](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/user-interfaces/page/2) --- ### Recent Posts --- ### Posts by Topic - [Printed Circuit Boards (162)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/printed-circuit-boards) - [Product Design (138)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/product-design) - [Battery Packs (122)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/battery-packs) - [Cable Assemblies (102)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/cable-assemblies) - [Flex & Rigid-Flex PCB's (95)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/flex-rigid-flex-pcbs) - [Electronics Industry (61)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/electronics-industry) - [User Interfaces (55)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/user-interfaces) - [Quality Solutions (33)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/quality-solutions) - [Flexible Heaters (30)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/flexible-heaters) - [Events, Training, and Support (9)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/events-training-and-support) - [RF Products (7)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/rf-products) - [CNC Machining (3)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/cnc-machining) - [Fans & Motors (1)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/fans-motors) See All --- --- ### Need Help with A Project? 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