Key Automation develops and exports PCB-based keyboards (German: Leiterplattentastaturen) for customers in Germany. The printed circuit board (PCB) connects the keys to the electronics and transmits every key signal to the connected unit, so its quality directly affects the reliability of the keyboard.

Our PCB-based keyboards are built from high-quality materials, with the PCB mounted on the inner side of the keyboard. Modern designs and mechanisms make them suitable for many applications. Read on for the available types, features and typical uses.

We supply several types of PCB-based and PCF-based keyboards, each with its own features:

• Mechanical Keyboards: Each key has its own mechanical switch, typically with a spring, soldered directly to the PCB. They are very durable, and additional layers can protect the inner parts against spills. Common uses are gaming, programming and household use.
• Membrane Keyboards: A thin, flexible membrane sits on the PCB with a spacer layer in between for reliable operation. They are available in tactile and non-tactile versions for different applications.
• Dome-Switched Membrane Keyboards: A rugged design found in standard desktop keyboards and point-of-sale systems. A rubber dome sits under each key, and pressing the key connects the circuit.
• Scissor-Switch Membrane Keyboards: Flat, responsive keyboards as used in laptops, with a scissor-like mechanism under each key. They are comfortable to use and suited to long working hours.

The table compares the four designs so you can choose the right combination of feedback, durability and rollover for your product:

Features	Mechanical Keyboards	Membrane Keyboards	Dome-Switched Membrane Keyboards	Scissor-Switch Membrane Keyboards
Switch Type	Individual mechanical switches per key	Single rubber or silicone membrane sheet	Rubber dome on top of a membrane sheet	Scissor mechanism on top of a membrane sheet
Tactile Feedback	Strong tactile feedback, customizable	Minimal tactile feedback	Moderate tactile feedback	Shallow tactile feedback
Key Actuation Force	45-60g	55-60g	55-65g	50-60g
Actuation Point	Mid-point of key travel	Near the bottom of key travel	Near the bottom of key travel	Mid to bottom of key travel
Durability	50-100 million keystrokes	5-10 million keystrokes	5-10 million keystrokes	10-20 million keystrokes
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)	Full NKRO support	Limited NKRO support (2-3 key rollover)	Limited NKRO support (2-3 key rollover)	Limited NKRO support (6-key rollover)
Anti-Ghosting	Full anti-ghosting	Limited anti-ghosting	Limited anti-ghosting	Partial anti-ghosting
Keycap Attachment	Mounted directly onto mechanical switches	Mounted onto the membrane sheet	Mounted onto rubber dome above the membrane	Mounted onto scissor mechanism
PCB Integration	Direct switch soldering to PCB, customizable layouts	Membrane integrated onto the PCB	Rubber dome assembly integrated onto the PCB	Scissor mechanism integrated onto the PCB

To improve productivity, our PCB-based keyboards offer a number of technical options:

• N-Key Rollover (NKRO): NKRO allows many keys to be pressed at the same time without input errors. Mechanical designs offer full NKRO, which is valuable for gaming and professional typing.
• Anti-Ghosting: Anti-ghosting prevents missed or false key signals when several keys are pressed together. This improves accuracy for data entry professionals and gamers. The level of anti-ghosting depends on the design, as the table shows.
• Water and Dust Resistance: Several protective layers can be added to PCB-based keyboards. Membrane layers are made from polyester film, and PCF keyboards use a glass-epoxy construction. This helps in demanding environments.
• Connectivity: Our PCB-based keyboards can be wired or wireless, for example via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, depending on the electronics you choose.

Quality materials and flexible design options make our PCB-based keyboards suitable for many applications, such as:

Many German projects need a keyboard that fits a specific housing, interface and lifetime requirement. We work from your specification instead of offering catalogue models only.

• Custom layouts: Key layout, PCB outline and connector can be adapted to your housing.
• Interfaces: Wired and wireless connection options can be discussed, depending on your electronics.
• Documentation: Material and compliance questions, for example RoHS and REACH, can be clarified before you approve a sample.
• Delivery: We ship to Germany by air or sea freight and agree delivery terms in the quotation.

As a PCB-based keyboard manufacturer for the German market, Key Automation supplies membrane and mechanical keyboards with multi-layer construction. Modern design and reliable electronics improve performance in many applications. Contact us today to upgrade your system.