FlexiPot™ Potentiometer for OEMs

Customizable position sensor

FlexiPot is a customizable membrane potentiometer with a flexible, ultra-thin, lightweight profile. Its low power requirements and linear output make it the ideal position sensor for OEM applications.

<em>FlexiPot</em>™ Potentiometer for OEMs

The best user interface, whether in consumer electronics or industrial controls, contains sensors that cause minimal interference, meaning the user may not even know they are there. FlexiPot™, by Tekscan, is a flexible membrane potentiometer with an ultra-thin (0.008"), lightweight profile. Low power requirements combined with a linear output make it the ideal position sensor, from both a manufacturing perspective as well as a user perspective.

Available in both a ring and strip form for testing and prototyping, FlexiPot is fully customizable for integration into OEM products. [Download spec sheet]

FlexiPot Position Sensing Applications

FlexiPot membrane potentiometers are ideal for integration into:

Consumer electronics (user interface in PDA)
Electronic Menu Navigation (scroll through options)
Industrial Controls
Medical Devices (plunger position)

Laptop Touchpad FlexiPot Strip

FlexiPot enables the user FlexiPot used in a scroll bar in a laptop touchpad

to easily navigate menus.

Benefits of FlexiPot as your Position Sensor

Low-power
Flexible
Ultra-thin
Linear Output, low error (±2%)
Customizable
High-Temperature Option (up to 400ºF)

The FlexiPot potentiometer is customized to suit the unique needs of your OEM application. Tekscan also offers sample potentiometers in both ring and strip form for testing and prototyping. The specifications of the sample FlexiPot position sensors are below.

FlexiPot Ring

Thickness: 0.008" (0.208 mm)

Outer Sensing Area Diameter: 1.67" (42.44 mm)

Inner Sensing Area Diameter: 1.33" (33.8 mm)

Total Outer Diameter: 1.93" (49 mm)

Total Inner Diameter: 1.07" (27.2 mm)

Connector: 3-pin Male Square Pin*

Substrate: Polyester (ex: Mylar)

*Learn more about 2-pin vs 3-pin connections for FlexiPot

FlexiPot Strip

Thickness: 0.008" (0.208 mm)

Length of Sensing Area: 2.50" (63.5 mm)

Overall Length: 3.59" (91.3 mm)

Width of Sensing Area: 0.17" (4.3 mm)

Overall Width: 0.46" (11.6 mm)

Connector: 3-pin Male Square Pin*

Substrate: Polyester (ex: Mylar)

*Learn more about 2-pin vs 3-pin connections for FlexiPot

FlexiPot Resistance v Position

Force v. Resistance/Conductance Chart

Typical Performance

Based on Recommended Circuit

Linearity (Error): <±2%

Repeatability:<±1% of full scale

Spatial Resolution: <2% of full scale

Operating Temperature: Standard: 15°F - 140°F (-9°C - 60°C); High-Temp: 15°F - 400°F (-9°C - 204°C)

FlexiPot Circuit

Recommended Circuit

[Download spec sheet]

How FlexiPot Works

When a contact is applied to the sensitive surface, an electrical contact occurs between the top and bottom layer of the sensor, creating a variable voltage divider. This video demonstrates the linear and rotary potentiometers reacting to user input to provide positional data.

View the slideshow below for an explanation on the construction of the FlexiPot. To learn more about pin termination options, click here.

Click to enlarge images and play videos.

FlexiPot off-the-shelf samples typically contain 3-pins.
Tekscan can make custom FlexiPot position sensors with pin connections or with a ZIF-compatible connection, as shown here.
Here you can see the construction of our flexible potentiometer in detail.
1. Flexible substrate & silver conductor 2. Conductive adhesive & dielectric spacer 3. Resistive ink, silver traces, flexible substrate

Testing & Prototyping: Off-the-Shelf Options

FlexiPot™ Potentiometers are available off-the-shelf in ring and strip form for testing and prototyping. Starting at $65 for a pack of four strip potentiometers, and $71 for a pack of four ring potentiometers, standard FlexiPot can be purchased online.

	Ring	Strip

4-Pack	$71/pack	$65/pack

8-Pack	$129/pack	$117/pack

Testing & Prototyping: Custom Options

Before committing to a large volume of custom sensors, some customers prefer to order a small quantity of custom sensors to ensure that the intended design will in fact be successful in their application. Our sales engineers work closely with customers to develop a package which includes design, tooling, and prototype sensors for one flat fee. Contact us to discuss prototyping options in more detail.

Custom FlexiPot Quote: Production Quantities

Custom sensor options are available for OEM applications requiring large quantities of sensors (typically 1000 pieces or more). Sensor piece-price is determined by a number of factors, including size, quantity, and performance criteria. To obtain a quote or estimate, please complete the Custom FlexiPot RFQ form. A sales engineer will contact you as soon as possible to discuss your requirements and provide more detail regarding the customization process.

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