The creation of keypads isn’t something that can be done in a bubble. It needs to be put through the rigors of actual work environments so the manufacturer can be assured it will deliver on promises of usability. Here we will address different types of users and how the corresponding keypad is created with that specific user in mind.
Public Terminals
Keypads as part of public terminals, such as soda fountain kiosks, card swipers, parking ticket dispensers, or ATMs, must be designed with durability in mind. Often touched hundreds or thousands of times a day, these common interfaces take a lot of abuse from often impatient people. They jab repeatedly at buttons or even hit the machines in frustration, which is why the material selection is so important.
As such, silicone is an ideal material because it does not break easily and is able to withstand lots of daily abuse. (Download our application guide)
High Moisture Areas
Any place that is built around water, from municipal water treatment plants to water parks to marinas, needs to accommodate its keypads to account for the user who may have wet hands at any time. Silicone won’t break down or be otherwise adversely affected by immersion in fresh or salt water for long periods of time.
It’s also non-toxic to fish, so it can be used in marine applications such as fishing boats or aquariums.
Silicone is both water and dust proof, so it’s also a good material for movie theaters, restaurants or other places that often see soda spills, for example. Thanks to this high-grade rubber, silicone can resist a lot of moisture and wear and tear.
Office Workers
Sitting at a computer all day can be torture on the back, hands, neck and joints. Ergonomic features in the modern office are a must, which is why silicone keypads for office areas are a wise choice. Not only are they comfortable, they’re ergonomic as well and can be integrated into large-scale applications easily.
A compact rubber keyboard with ergonomic trackball would be a great choice, for example. Ergonomic keyboards may even be able to lessen the effects of carpal tunnel syndrome or other repetitive stress injuries.
Healthcare Workers
In the medical field, sanitation is critical. That’s why silicone keypads (many times backlit) are often integrated into handheld devices and diagnostic tools that are simpler and faster to disinfect and sterilize. This is because they can be applied with a chemically-resistant coating to boost lifespan and effectiveness. A conductive silicone-based coating can also be applied to shield keyboards against EMI (electromagnetic interference), common in hospital settings.
Contact SiTech
No matter what the needs of your users are, Si-Tech can manufacture the perfect keypad for those needs. To learn more about how we can adapt products to your users, contact Si-Tech today at 757-887-8488.
