Rubber Keypads
Custom Silicone Rubber Keypads
CSI Keyboards specializes in the design and manufacturing of custom silicone rubber keypads engineered to meet the functional, environmental, and aesthetic requirements of your application. From simple push-button interfaces to complex, multi-key control panels, we develop durable, reliable keypad solutions tailored to your product.
Our silicone rubber keypads are manufactured using precision compression molding and can incorporate conductive carbon pills, non-conductive actuators, custom tactile responses, backlighting, and a variety of surface finishes. With excellent resistance to moisture, chemicals, temperature extremes, and demanding operating environments, silicone rubber keypads provide a dependable interface for a wide range of industrial, medical, and commercial applications.
Every application has unique requirements, and our team works closely with customers to develop custom rubber keypads that balance performance, usability, and visual design. We offer flexibility in keypad geometry, actuation force, key travel, color, graphics, and illumination to achieve the desired look and feel.
Whether you’re developing a new product or improving an existing design, CSI Keyboards provides engineering support, material selection, prototyping, and manufacturing expertise throughout the development process. Our goal is to deliver a high-quality silicone rubber keypad that integrates seamlessly into your product and performs reliably throughout its intended service life.
Custom Elastomer Rubber Keypad Solutions & Features
Tactile Feel
Backlighting
Sealing
Circuitry
Shielding
Custom Rubber Keypad Design & Manufacturing Capabilities
Custom Silicone Molding: Precision compression molding with customizable shapes, sizes, colors, and durometer options.
Keypad Design & Tactile Response: Engineered key geometries, actuators, flex walls, actuation forces, and key travel for optimal tactile feedback.
Circuit Integration: Compatible with flexible printed circuits, printed silver circuitry, and rigid PCB assemblies.
Switching Technologies:
Conductive carbon pill contacts
Metal dome switches
Non-conductive rubber actuators
Electrical Connections: Custom connector configurations and integration options to accommodate application requirements.
Backlighting & Illumination: LED integration, light piping, and translucent silicone materials for illuminated keypads.
Laser Etching: Precision laser etching for illuminated legends, symbols, and custom graphics.
Protective Coatings:
Polyurethane (PU) coatings
Parylene coatings
UV-resistant coatings
Environmental Protection: Sealing solutions designed to resist moisture, dust, chemicals, and demanding operating conditions.
EMI / ESD / RFI Shielding: Integrated shielding solutions for applications requiring electromagnetic compatibility and electrostatic discharge protection.
Graphic Overlay Integration: Custom graphic overlays and adhesive solutions for seamless keypad assembly.
Embossed & Debossed Features: Custom molded surface details, raised keys, recessed features, and tactile identification.
Multi-Material Keypad Assemblies: Integration of silicone rubber with plastic, stainless steel, and other materials.
Integrated Control Panels: Rocker switches, toggle switches, and other control components incorporated into complete user interface assemblies.
Co-Molding Capabilities: Elastomeric and plastic molding solutions for integrated keypad construction.
Elastomer Rubber Switch Backlighting
CSI Keyboards designs and manufactures custom backlit silicone rubber keypads that combine precise illumination, reliable tactile performance, and durable construction. Whether your application requires illuminated keys, symbols, legends, or complex control interfaces, our backlighting solutions are engineered to enhance visibility, usability, and overall product aesthetics.
Our engineering team utilizes advanced LED integration, light guide technology, laser etching, and fiber optic solutions to achieve consistent illumination while minimizing light bleed, hot spots, and unnecessary power consumption. Each backlighting system is tailored to your keypad’s design, material properties, operating environment, and performance requirements.
From medical devices and industrial equipment to aerospace, marine, and military applications, CSI Keyboards develops custom illuminated rubber keypads designed to perform in demanding environments. Our backlighting capabilities include:
LEDs
LED backlighting provides an efficient, reliable, and versatile solution for illuminating silicone rubber keypads. LEDs can illuminate individual keys, legends, symbols, and indicators, with customizable brightness, color, and placement. Combined with properly engineered keypad geometry and light distribution techniques, LED technology delivers clear, consistent illumination for a wide range of applications.
Light Guide Film (LGF)
Light guide film technology distributes illumination from strategically positioned LEDs across multiple keys and interface areas. By directing light through a thin optical layer, LGF helps achieve uniform backlighting while reducing the number of LEDs required. This technology is particularly beneficial for compact, low-profile keypad assemblies where space, power efficiency, and consistent illumination are critical.
Laser Etching
Laser etching enables precise illumination of custom legends, icons, and symbols on silicone rubber keypads. During manufacturing, translucent molded silicone is coated with opaque finishes, and selected areas are laser etched to reveal the light-transmitting material beneath. This process creates sharp, durable, backlit graphics with excellent visual definition and design flexibility.
Fiber Optics
Fiber optic backlighting uses flexible optical fibers to direct light from a centralized source to specific keys, symbols, or interface areas. This approach provides design flexibility in applications where conventional LED placement may be limited by space or mechanical constraints. Fiber optic solutions can support consistent illumination while allowing light sources to be positioned away from sensitive or tightly packaged components.
Elastomer Rubber Switch Sealing & Durability
UV Resistant
Environmentally Sealed
Temperature Resistant
Chemical Resistant
CSI Keyboards designs and manufactures custom silicone rubber keypads engineered to withstand demanding environmental conditions, including exposure to moisture, dust, chemicals, UV radiation, and extreme temperatures. Our environmental sealing solutions help protect sensitive circuitry and internal electronics while maintaining reliable keypad performance and tactile functionality.
Through advanced sealing techniques, flexible circuit construction, protective coatings, and specialized adhesives, we develop durable rubber keypad assemblies tailored to your application’s environmental and performance requirements. Our solutions are well suited for medical devices, marine equipment, military systems, industrial controls, and outdoor electronic applications.
- Rubber Keypad Sealing
CSI Keyboards develops custom environmental sealing solutions designed to protect silicone rubber keypads and their underlying electronics from moisture, dust, and other contaminants. Using precision-engineered gaskets, mechanical sealing features, and specialized bonding techniques, we can design keypad assemblies to meet application-specific NEMA and IP protection requirements, including IP67 and IP68 where appropriate. These solutions are ideal for marine navigation systems, medical equipment, military applications, industrial controls, and food processing equipment.
- Copper Flex Circuit Integration
Copper flex circuitry provides a durable and flexible electrical interface for custom silicone rubber keypad assemblies. Constructed using copper conductors on a polyimide substrate, commonly known as Kapton, these circuits offer excellent thermal stability, dielectric strength, chemical resistance, and mechanical flexibility. Copper flex technology is particularly well suited for demanding applications requiring reliable electrical connections, compact designs, and long-term performance in challenging environments.
- Protective Coatings & Surface Finishes
Protective coatings enhance the durability and service life of custom silicone rubber keypads by providing additional resistance to abrasion, chemicals, moisture, and environmental exposure. CSI Keyboards offers polyurethane (PU) coatings to help preserve printed graphics, molded colors, and surface finishes through repeated use. Specialized UV-resistant coating options are also available for outdoor and marine applications where prolonged sunlight exposure can affect keypad appearance and performance.
- Perimeter Seal Frames
Perimeter seal frames provide an additional protective barrier around the keypad assembly to help prevent moisture and contaminants from reaching sensitive circuitry. These adhesive-based sealing solutions can be integrated into custom keypad designs to enhance environmental protection while maintaining a compact, low-profile construction. Seal frames can also be combined with other sealing methods to meet specific application requirements.
- Environmentally Resistant Adhesives
CSI Keyboards utilizes specialized adhesive systems designed to provide reliable bonding between silicone rubber keypads, circuit assemblies, and mounting surfaces. Adhesive selection is based on application requirements, including exposure to humidity, moisture, temperature fluctuations, chemicals, and UV radiation. These bonding solutions help maintain assembly integrity and support long-term reliability in demanding operating environments.
Patented Silicone Rubber Toggle & Rocker Switches
CSI Keyboards has developed innovative, patented silicone rubber toggle and rocker switch technology that combines the familiar tactile operation of traditional mechanical switches with the durability, flexibility, and environmental protection of molded silicone rubber. This unique design allows toggle and rocker switch functionality to be integrated directly into custom keypad assemblies, creating a streamlined and reliable user interface.
Through precision engineering of silicone durometer, flex wall geometry, and tactile actuation mechanisms, our rubber toggle switches deliver responsive, consistent feedback without the complexity of conventional mechanical switch assemblies. Their rugged, sealed construction makes them well suited for demanding applications where durability, space efficiency, and environmental resistance are essential.
Available in 2-way, 3-way, and 4-way configurations, CSI Keyboards’ custom silicone rubber toggle and rocker switches provide versatile control options for industrial equipment, marine electronics, medical devices, and specialized control panels. These integrated solutions can help simplify assembly, reduce component count, and provide a durable alternative to traditional mechanical switches.
Custom Toggle & Rocker Switch Customization Options
CSI Keyboards offers a wide range of customization options for our patented silicone rubber toggle and rocker switch technology, allowing each design to be tailored to your application’s specific functional, mechanical, and aesthetic requirements. From switch configuration and tactile response to material selection and environmental sealing, our engineering team develops integrated control solutions designed around your product.
Our custom molded silicone switches can incorporate 2-way, 3-way, and 4-way actuation configurations, with adjustable durometer, flex wall geometry, key travel, and actuation force to achieve the desired tactile feel and performance. Switch dimensions, shapes, colors, and surface finishes can also be customized to complement your product’s design and user interface.
By integrating toggle and rocker functionality directly into silicone rubber keypad assemblies, CSI Keyboards helps simplify control panel construction, reduce the need for separate mechanical components, and support reliable operation in demanding environments. These customizable solutions are ideal for industrial controls, marine electronics, medical equipment, and specialized OEM applications.