iKey Introduces New Line of Rugged Membrane Keyboards

May 15, 2008 — iKey is expanding upon its industrial keyboard product line with the introduction of its newest series of membrane keyboards.

The new membrane keyboards are built to withstand the harshest of environments. They are built with a hardcoated, textured, polyester film and trampoline-mounted snap-dome switches that provide a superior feel and actuation over a standard membrane keyboard.

A single sheet of tough, vandal-resistant mylar covers the whole keyboard, including the Synaptics touchpad, for sealed NEMA 4X (IP-65) protection. Current products in the membrane line include a desktop model and a panel mount model, both in stainless steel cases, and an OEM kit for integration into industrial machinery. The keyboards are available in a variety of language layouts including English, Cyrillic, Spanish, and others.

"What's great about the membrane keyboard is there are no crevices," said Joel East, Director of Technical Design at iKey. "If you're working around processing byproducts, grease, or other things that might accumulate between the keys of a regular keyboard, you can just spray it down and know that it's clean."

In addition to the easy cleanup, the membrane surface is slick and rugged, specifically made to withstand directed hose water, disinfectants, environmental contaminants and heavy use. The Synaptics touchpad is completely sealed under an extra layer of PVC membrane, which extends the life of the product.

"This is one of our toughest keyboards," added East, "It can be used at extreme temperatures ranging from 0°C to +60°C and stored at temperatures of -40°C to +65°C, and it will survive rain, snow, exposure to corrosive liquids, and more."

The current membrane keyboards are modeled after iKey's popular 5K line of industrial keyboards, featuring 24 function keys. The membranes have the same footprint as the 5K products. Part numbers include the DT-5K-MEM-TP (desktop model in stainless steel), the PM-5KMEM-TP (the panel mount model in stainless steel) and the KYB-5K-MEM-TP-OEM (the OEM model). Future additions to the membrane keyboard line will include LED backlit models.

About iKey, Inc.
iKey designs, manufactures and sells sealed, rugged keyboards for industrial, kiosk, public safety, medical and military environments. A pioneer in its industry since 1989, iKey is known as an innovator of industrial computer peripherals.

For more information, visit www.ikey.com.