How a membrane switch
of capacitive keys
Capacitive keys and keyboards are touch-sensitive electrical fields (sensors) with no mechanical components. When a finger touches the sensor, charge is removed from the electric field. The electronics recognize this change in charge, deduce the exact point of contact and trigger the desired function.
User interface: The completely closed surface made of glass, Plexiglas, or polyester is custom-printed using screen printing and protects the sensor surfaces underneath.
Sensor foil or printed circuit board: The capacitive fields are printed onto a flexible polyester foil using a conductive, transparent paste. Alternatively, capacitive sensors can also be realized on a printed circuit board.
Your capacitive keyboard. Your scope of performance.
From a simple sensor foil to a fully integrated HMI solution:
you decide which functions and components your application needs.
We combine the right technologies and, on request, also handle the integration.
2. Expand your capacitive keyboard
Lighting
Capacitive keys can be individually illuminated, providing optimal user guidance. The LED technology is integrated together with the evaluation electronics on a separate circuit board. For capacitive sensor fields on a printed circuit board, the LEDs are integrated directly on the sensor board.
Touchscreen + display
Capacitive keys are an ideal complement to touchscreens and displays. Frequently used or safety-relevant functions can always be found quickly and operated conveniently. The connection to the touchscreen or display is made using an adhesive frame or full-surface OCA or LOCA bonding, resulting in a high-quality, closed design.
Key feedback
By default, touch-sensitive capacitive keys do not provide direct tactile feedback. However, optical, acoustic, or haptic signals (vibration) can be integrated to confirm an input. This gives the user clear feedback that the action was successfully performed.
Housing + carrier
Capacitive keys can be mounted on custom carrier plates or integrated directly into housings. This results in robust, ready-to-install control units that can be easily integrated into the application.
Seals
For outdoor use, custom protection and sealing concepts can shield capacitive keyboards from dirt or water.
3. Complete solution tailored to your requirements
You receive a 360° worry-free package: one solution, one point of contact!
We take care of the time-consuming coordination of many individual components and services for you.
You define the scope!
Operating unit
Buttons, touch, printed electronics, or a combination of multiple technologies.
Housing
Standard housing or a custom housing solution made of plastic or metal
Electronics
Custom-populated PCBs and LED technology for button backlighting.
Software
Intelligent user guidance or protocols for smooth data transmission
Connectivity
Custom interfaces and IoT connectivity for value-added HMIs
Design + Development
Quality + Sustainability
Typical applications for
capacitive keys and keyboards
Medical technology & laboratory equipment:
Closed, disinfectable user interface for medical devices
Household technology & white goods:
Household appliances with flush-mounted, easy-to-clean controls
Mobility:
Modern capacitive keys replace mechanical buttons in vehicles
Building technology:
Access controls or smart home control panels with illuminated capacitive keys
AI-generated Illustration 
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about capacitive keyboards
The operability of capacitive sensors with gloves depends on the material and thickness of the gloves. Conductive gloves or a
increased sensor sensitivity are often required. Moisture from rain or perspiration can lead to malfunctions if no
special algorithms can be used. Modern systems use humidity compensation and adaptive sensitivity adjustment,
to ensure stable operation even under such conditions. This is particularly relevant for outdoor and medical applications.
Yes, capacitive buttons can be integrated behind robust materials such as glass or plastic. This creates a closed system,
Wear-free and resistant surface against dirt, moisture and cleaning agents.
Design, colors, lighting, symbols and even the operating feel can be individually adapted to the area of application. One
Glass surfaces can also be optically enhanced with cuts for finger recesses, polishing or etching, for example.
Capacitive buttons are designed for clearly defined switching functions and replace classic mechanical buttons. You react to
touch, but have fixed operating points. A touchscreen, on the other hand, is a dynamic input surface on which content can be displayed and
different functions can be displayed flexibly. Capacitive buttons are particularly suitable for robust, long-lasting
Operating concepts with clear user guidance, while touchscreens offer more interaction options
Kapazitive Tasten oder Folientastatur
– welche Technologie passt zu
my project?
Capacitive keys are ideal for modern, flush-mounted designs with wear-free operation.
Membrane switches are the right choice for clearly defined pressure points and tactile feedback in rugged applications.
Start your project!
New development or redesign?
We are your partner from prototype to series production.