>> The manufacturer wants to change to a surface mount switch.
>> I'm a bit dubious about the probable longevity of the mounting if solder
>> alone is used. Adhesive could be added as a backup.

> Totally isolate and buffer the external force from the button using an 
> elastic
> lever (fulcrum) with the button and the booth acting on different parts of 
> the
> fulcrum.

Probably  agood idea, but not an easy option here. I largely have power of 
veto or agreement. "Fancy" alternatives are fairly largely not an option.

If/when this gets re-engineered it will quite possibly get a magnet and Hall 
switch solution. Even an optical interuption system could be 'interesting' 
but the Hall sensor does give you full environmental isolation. Cost is the 
standing current (smallish with some duty cycle multiplexed versions) and 
cost of the sensor IC - which tends to be dearer for the multiplexed 
versions. Reed switches have no standby power needs but reliability is 
generally not stunning. I have seen some cheap consumer level Chinese 
manufactured products with magnet and reed-switch switches.


          Russell


-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist