Rugged keyboards feature a sealed, waterproof stainless steel enclosure so they can handle the dirtiest environments. They are impervious to dust, dirt, water, oil or chemicals — the reason they are NEMA 4X rated. They can easily be washed down with industrial cleaners and chemicals to maintain a clean environment.
These industrial keyboards have minimal moving parts; a necessary design feature to tolerate harsh environments. Instead of separate keys, industrial keyboards are made of a flexible, tactile surface that operators find easy to use. They can be used separately or built into a mounted enclosure.
Industrial keyboards are most frequently used in indoor facilities that use chemicals to maintain a clean environment (i.e. food processing facilities, pharmaceutical and chemical plants) and outdoor applications, such as oil rigs.
Types of Industrial Keyboards and Pointing Devices
There are two types of rugged industrial keyboards and pointing devices that you may want to consider:
Elastomer Keyboards feature a stainless-steel enclosure, built-in static shield and full-key travel design for easy typing. These rugged keyboards are FM approved for Division 1 and Division 2 environments (Class I, II, III A-G).
Membrane Keyboards are 109 key industrial keyboards with a tactile feel, preferred by many operators. They are waterproof industrial keyboards with a sealed design that is NEMA 4X rated; impervious to many solutions, including ethanol and glycol. Membrane rugged keyboards are FM approved for Division 1 and Division 2 environments (Class I, II, III A-G).
OEM Keyboard Kits allow you to design a product to your exact specifications. Several kits are available, including elastomer and membrane keyboards in 116 or 109 key layouts.
Pointing Devices complement industrial waterproof keyboards, whether you opt to integrate them into a rugged membrane keyboard or customize them in a rugged desktop or panel mount computer. Housed in a NEMA 4x stainless-steel enclosure, they are suitable for a wide range of pharmaceutical, food processing and chemical processing environments.
Explaining Division 1 & 2, Zone 2 Rated Keyboards
Like industrial computers, industrial and rugged keyboards are rate for Division 1 and Division 2, Zone 2 environments so they can handle the harsh environments.
Industrial keyboards are also rated for NEMA 4X environments, which means they can tolerate the dirt, debris and water common in outdoor oil and gas applications, as well as the corrosive cleaning solutions in the food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries.