Overview
Our Custom Silicone Rubber Keyboard Keypads with Conductive Metal Domes are engineered for reliable, high-performance key input on PCB-mounted electronic devices. Combining precision silicone molding (compression or LSR) with pre-formed conductive metal domes (stainless steel domes with selective plating), these keypads deliver crisp tactile feedback, low contact resistance, and long-term durability for consumer electronics, industrial control panels, medical devices, and automotive ECU interfaces. Fully OEM-capable, we offer end-to-end services from DFM and prototyping to toolmaking, production and final assembly — including dome placement, laser etching, adhesive backing and packaged-ready parts for SMT/through-hole PCB assembly.
Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Place of Origin | Xiamen, China |
| Brand Name | OEM / Custom Branding |
| Application | PCB key input for electronics, industrial control, medical devices, automotive panels |
| Keypad Material | Silicone rubber (silane-crosslinked or LSR) |
| Metal Dome Material | Stainless steel (SUS301/304) with optional plating (gold / silver / tin / nickel) |
| Dome Type | Pre-formed metal snap dome (flat or formed) |
| Hardness | Shore A 20–80 (customizable per spec) |
| Dome Travel | 0.3–1.2 mm (depends on dome geometry) |
| Actuation Force | 100–600 gf (adjustable via dome & silicone geometry) |
| Contact Resistance | Typically ≤ 50 mΩ (depends on plating & design) |
| Life Cycle | >1,000,000 actuations (dependent on design) |
| Surface Finish | Matte / gloss silicone face; laser-etched or pad-printed legends |
| Molding Process | Silicone compression molding or LSR injection molding; insert/overmold for dome integration |
| Sealing/IP | Up to IP67 with integrated overmolded seals and gasketing |
| Certifications | ISO 9001, IATF 16949 (as required), RoHS, REACH |
| Sample Lead Time | 5–10 business days |
| Production Lead Time | 15–25 business days (tooling dependent) |
| MOQ | Flexible — small batches supported |
| Packaging | Protective trays, ESD-safe reels, or custom export packaging |
Surface Coating & Marking Options
- Laser Etching — permanent, high-contrast legends without adding thickness.
- Pad / Screen Printing — multi-color legends and icons.
- Epoxy Filling / Doming — raised durable legends or glossy finishes.
- Color Coating — matched to brand Pantone; durable coatings for wear resistance.
- Conductive Plating for Domes — gold/silver/tin for improved conductivity and solderability.
Key Benefits
- Reliable Electrical Performance: Low contact resistance and consistent actuation enabled by precision metal domes and controlled dome placement.
- Superior Tactile Feel: Tunable snap, travel and rebound by selecting dome geometry and silicone hardness.
- High Durability: Engineered for >1M cycles and resistance to oils, cleaners, and temperature changes.
- PCB-Ready Integration: Options for adhesive-backed keypads, snap-in housings, or parts formatted for automated assembly lines.
- IP-Rated Solutions: Overmolding and gasketing options for dust/water protection up to IP67.
- Full Customization: Dome size, plating, silicone color/hardness, legend style and packaging tailored to customer specs.
Quality Assurance & Testing
We apply a comprehensive QA program to ensure every keypad meets spec and field reliability requirements:
- Dimensional inspection with ZEISS CMM and 3D optical profilers.
- Tactile profiling and actuation-force mapping with automated actuators.
- Contact resistance checks using micro-ohmmeters and dome continuity testers.
- Environmental testing: thermal cycling, humidity, salt spray (for plated domes) and UV/weathering.
- Lifecycle endurance >1,000,000 actuations under accelerated conditions.
- ESD and electrical safety verifications for sensitive electronics.
All production follows ISO 9001 workflows with batch traceability and full inspection records.
Manufacturing Process & Factory Capabilities
- Tooling & Moldmaking: High-precision CNC, 5-axis machining, wire EDM and mirror EDM to produce molds that yield consistent dome recesses and silicone geometry.
- Molding: Silicone compression presses and LSR injection machines for repeatable part quality and tight tolerances.
- Dome Integration: Automated dome feeders and precision placement (pick-and-place or insert-molding) to ensure accurate alignment to PCB contact pads.
- Marking & Finishing: Laser etching, pad printing, and epoxy finishing lines with controlled curing ovens.
- Assembly & Packaging: Adhesive backing application, die-cutting, and ESD-safe packaging options; SMT-compatible tape & reel or tray packaging for automated assembly.
- Testing Lab: Automated tactile rigs, environmental chambers, multimeters, and XRF (for plating verification) operated by certified QC staff.
Our production lines are supported by ISO 9001 and IATF processes, enabling reliable scale-up from prototype runs to high-volume manufacturing.
Why Choose Us?
- End-to-End OEM Service: From DFM and tooling to dome sourcing, assembly and final QA — single-source responsibility.
- Tuned Tactile Engineering: Expertise in balancing dome geometry and silicone design for consistent user feel and electrical performance.
- High Reliability for Electronics: Designed to meet PCB integration standards and long lifecycle demands for commercial & industrial products.
- Flexible Production: Small-batch prototypes, pilot runs and high-volume production with strict QC and lead-time predictability.
- Regulatory & Material Compliance: RoHS/REACH, ISO-certified processes and documented material traceability for regulated industries.