Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for photofabrication on a three-dimensional solid surface using a laser light beam (2) which is projected onto the surface which has previously been coated with photoresist. Mechanism (8, 9) is provided for moving the workpiece (3) so that all those parts of the photoresist layer are brought in turn into the exposure position. The photoresist is subsequently chemically developed to provide a patterned area of exposed underlying surface for further additive or subtractive physical or chemical processing. One of many applications would be the production of non-planar printed circuit boards for electronic applications.

Abstract: A low profile switch or keypad has one or more touch pads (14) formed integrally with and raised from a surrounding membrane or key mat (15) of elastomeric material by a wall (30) of resiliently deformable material of thickness and angle relative to the mat (15) so that the wall (30) can flex under finger pressure on the or each pad (14) without deflecting the surrounding membrane. The underside of each pad (14) is formed with a convex contact pad (29) dimensioned in relation to the pad diameter and travel and the length of wall (30) so that the pad (29) makes surface to surface contact with conductors (12), (13) of an underlying circuit board (10). The mat (15) is held in tension to the board (10) fits. The keyboard uses only two interfitting parts and needs no bezel but provides a tactile response to key depression.