What Every Computer Manager Should Know About Industrial Keyboards

By Author: Robert Bell
Total Articles: 3764
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Have you ever wondered what sort of keyboard people use in harsh environments...we are all too familiar with the plastic case keyboards that come with our home PC.

There are several types of keyboards, some are manufactured in mild steel and powder coated for Industrial applications, such as in glass manufacturing plants and packaging manufacturers facilities, were dust is present in large quantities, (a standard plastic cased keyboard would only last a matter of days in these environments.) These are normally IP56 rated, meaning they can cope with the riggers of dust and are also splash proof.

Then there are the waterproof Keyboards, now these tend to be manufactured in stainless steel, however some are manufactured form mild steel and coated with a rubber coating, these are a truly resilient industrial keyboard specifically designed for use in hazardous environments, were fluid and chemicals are present. These are IP66 (washed down with a high pressure water jet IP66 or NEMA X4)

These keyboards are used in factories, mining, construction sites, chemical workshops, laboratories, any were water is present ...
... in large quantities.

The keyboards can be cleaned with household detergents and after cleaning, the letters are guaranteed not to rub off or fade.

They are suitable for using in the following places;

1. Marine applications
2. Laboratories
3. Chemical Manufacture
4. Cement Works
5. Swimming pools
7. The bathroom!
8. Hospitals
9. Food manufacturing

There are several types of keyboard, including:
Flexible keyboards, that can be rolled up and put in a pocket.

Rigid keyboards, these as the name suggests has a rigid case around the keyboard, used for more robust areas in factories.

Illuminated keyboards, for use in command centers, were light is an issue.

Advantages of having one of these keyboards, is that they are silent, easy to clean and very robust.

Some of the keyboards have pointing devices, eliminating a mouse. However 99% of the trackball and pointing devices on the market are only categorized to IP56, while the keyboard is IP65, causing a little dilemma. However one manufacture has created a keyboard that features an optic trackball, this has an IP rating of IP68 making it the ideal choice for food manufacturers such as Nestle, Northern Foods, Tyson Foods and Campbell Foods. As they wash down the factory after each shift with chemicals, killing any potential bacteria sources that could infect their product range.