Development and manufacture of RGB backlit LCD key switches and control panels for professional control applications

[E³] Engstler Elektronik Entwicklung GmbH

63920 Großheubach, GermanyNew on Amplifa

2001Founded

1984First programmable LCD switch by Reinhard Engstler

Großheubach, DEDevelopment and production site

+40 yearsExperience in custom development

About [E³]

[E³] Engstler Elektronik Entwicklung GmbH was founded in 2001 with the aim of developing and manufacturing RGB backlit LCD key switches and control panels. As a pioneer of LCD key technology, the company draws on more than 40 years of experience in the development of custom input systems: as early as 1984, founder Reinhard Engstler developed the first programmable LCD switch for keyboards. The product portfolio includes programmable LCD keys with over 1 million RGB colors and Multi-Segment-Color technology (MSC™), desktop control panels with 12, 24 or 60 keys, as well as 19-inch rack control panels in 1U, 2U and 3U layouts with RS232, USB and Ethernet interfaces. For customers with specific requirements, custom control panels with individual layouts, interfaces and protocols are developed; a DevBoard development system enables rapid prototyping. The keycaps are made of Plexiglas HW55 (acrylic glass); an automated color calibration system in production ensures uniform colors across large consoles. The products are used in demanding 24/7 applications, including television and broadcast technology, process and industrial controls, military and avionics systems, and building automation. The company is based in Großheubach (Germany) and serves customers worldwide through a global network of partners and customers.

Site: Großheubach
Processes: Design, development and manufacture of RGB backlit LCD key switches and, Development of custom control panels with customer-specific layouts,, Rapid prototyping and testing with the DevBoard development system, Automatic color calibration system as part of the production process, Manufacture of desktop control panels with RS232 and USB interfaces (12, 24 or 60 LCD keys), Manufacture of 19-inch rack control panels in 1U, 2U and 3U layouts with RS232, USB and, Design and development of custom control panels, Product support by the engineering department
Materials: Plexiglas HW55 (acrylic glass), RGB backlit LCD (64x32 pixels), Multi Segment Color MSC™
Founded: 2001
Industries: Television and broadcast transmission (broadcasting), Emergency and commercial vehicle electronics, Intercom systems and telecommunications, Process and industrial controls, Point-of-sale/service and hospitality, Home and building automation

01
Design and development of custom control panels
02
Rapid prototyping with the DevBoard development system
03
Production of the LCD key switches
04
Automated color calibration in production
05
Assembly of the desktop and rack control panels
06
Product support by the engineering department

Materials & Technologies

PMMA

Plexiglas HW55 (acrylic glass)

Used for the keycaps of the LCD key switches; easy to clean and disinfect.

RGB-LCD

RGB backlit LCD (64x32 pixels)

Standard display resolution of the keys with over 1 million displayable RGB colors.

MSC

Multi Segment Color MSC™

Enables different RGB background colors in the upper and lower display segments of the keys.

Locations

Großheubach

Headquarters: development, production and sales

Materials: Plexiglas HW55 (acrylic glass), RGB LCD displays

Automatic color calibration system
DevBoard development system

Products & Components

**RGB backlit LCD key switch SA3624**LCD key technology · Broadcasting, military, industry

**19-inch rack control panel (1U/2U/3U)**Control panel assembly · Broadcasting, process control

**Desktop control panel with 12/24/60 LCD keys**Control panel assembly · POS, telecommunications, industry

**CC0064 hardware controller**Control electronics · for up to 64 Sxnnnn keys

**DevBoard development system**Rapid prototyping · Engineering

**SD6432 LCD key**LCD key technology · Custom control panels

Inside the production

Control panels with RGB backlit LCD keys

Overload protection of the key mechanism

CIE color space diagram (color calibration)

Industries

Television and broadcast transmission (broadcasting)Emergency and commercial vehicle electronicsIntercom systems and telecommunicationsProcess and industrial controlsPoint-of-sale/service and hospitalityHome and building automationMilitary command, control and communication systemsFlight simulation and avionics

Processes & technical limits

Processes	Tolerance	Max. part	Weight	Lot size	Materials
Design, development and manufacture of RGB backlit LCD key switches andAssembly	–	–	–	–	Plexiglas HW55 (acrylic glass) for keycaps
Development of custom control panels with customer-specific layouts,Engineering	–	–	–	–	–
Rapid prototyping and testing with the DevBoard development systemEngineering	–	–	–	–	–
Automatic color calibration system as part of the production processTesting	–	–	–	–	–
Manufacture of desktop control panels with RS232 and USB interfaces (12, 24 or 60 LCD keys)Assembly	–	–	–	–	–
Manufacture of 19-inch rack control panels in 1U, 2U and 3U layouts with RS232, USB andAssembly	–	–	–	–	–

Additional services

Design and development of custom control panelsProduct support by the engineering departmentDevelopment assistance for customersProduction services for custom panelsAutomated color calibration in productionDevBoard development system for rapid prototypingCustom layouts, interfaces and protocols

History

1984
Reinhard Engstler developed the first programmable LCD switch for keyboards.
2001
Foundation of [E³] Engstler Elektronik Entwicklung GmbH for the development and manufacture of RGB backlit LCD key switches and control panels.