Capacitive Keyboards

one touch is sufficient

Capacitive keys, sliders or wheels

are similar to the function and operation of a touch screen. Conductive areas are applied to a printed circuit board (rigid) or printed on a film (flexible). If you approach such a surface with your finger or touch it, charge is removed from the electric field. The electronics detect this change in charge, thereby deducing the exact point of contact and triggering the desired function.

Capacitive keyboards are exceptionally robust and ideally suited for high mechanical stress. We will gladly develop appropriate protection concepts according to IP protection classes for you.

Productimage

Capacitive keys, sliders or wheels

are similar to the function and operation of a touch screen. Conductive areas are applied to a printed circuit board (rigid) or printed on a film (flexible). If you approach such a surface with your finger or touch it, charge is removed from the electric field. The electronics detect this change in charge, thereby deducing the exact point of contact and triggering the desired function.

Capacitive keyboards are exceptionally robust and ideally suited for high mechanical stress. We will gladly develop appropriate protection concepts according to IP protection classes for you.

The user interface

The fully sealed surface made of glass, Plexiglas or polyester protects the input system from dirt and liquids. Screen and digital printing can be used to design the front entirely according to the customer’s wishes. Specially machined surfaces make capacitive operating elements particularly resistant and create optimum conditions even for harsh applications.

Capacitive Keyboards

Your product is missing an input system? Send us your request.

Advantages:

  • Fully closed surface
  • Million-fold actuation with constant tripping characteristics
  • Hardly any wear possible
  • Simple and intuitive operation
  • Ideally suited for input systems at risk from vandalism
  • Ideal for optically demanding applications
Tactile Key
With Tactile Key, capacitive keys finally become tactile!
Sustainable, safe, comfortable.

Components and options

Tactile Key

Tactile, sustainable capacitive keys

Tactile Key is a sustainable operating concept that avoids unnecessary waste while bringing new features to capacitive keys. Capacitive keys become tactile due to the special design. Key shapes can be raised or recessed and individually illuminated.

The simplified system design also allows easy disassembly of the electronics from the front panel. Individual assemblies can now be repaired, replaced and also recycled. Previously bonded superstructures were difficult or impossible to repair. The direct contact of the capacitive sensor with the operating surface ensures high sensitivity and enables integration even behind 3D deformed surfaces.

LEDs for the illumination of the sensor fields can also be easily integrated on the PCB. You do not need a separate electronics unit.

Special features of Tactile Key:

  • Blind operation possible
  • High sensitivity
  • 3D deformed surfaces in combination with illuminated keys
  • Deformed plastic panels can be operating surface at the same time
  • Electronics dismountable and recyclable
  • Parts and cost saving
Film

Capacitive keys on film

Capacitive sensor fields for keys, sliders or wheels can be printed on polyester films using conductive pastes. Polyester films have the advantage that they are light and flexible and can also be applied to curved substrates. The use of capacitive keys on curved fronts, such as washing machine panels, is possible without any problems.

Learn more about capacitive sensor films.

In-Mold Electronics
In the in-mold process, the capacitive film is seamlessly combined with a plastic housing. Instead of laminating the film onto a housing with transitions and gaps, the injection molding process directly back-molds the capacitive film. Two assemblies are combined into one.

Hoffmann + Krippner capacitive keys on foil
Printed circuit board

Capacitive keys on printed circuit boards

Capacitive sensor fields on printed circuit boards offer the advantage of integrating further electronic components and the evaluation electronics on the same board. The direct proximity of the evaluation electronics makes the system less susceptible to interference.

LEDs for the illumination of the sensor fields can also be easily integrated on the PCB. You do not need a separate electronics unit.

Printed circuit boards lined up
Lighting

Illuminated capacitive keys

A capacitive operating unit can even be used in unfavorable lighting conditions. Diverse LED colors light up all relevant areas brightly. Our innovative SideLED technology provides homogeneous illumination while saving space.

Capacitive film sensors can even be transilluminated thanks to highly transparent pastes.

Touch panel with illuminated keys

Start your project!

New development or redesign?
We are your partner from prototype to series production.