Duraswitch Keyboards

Invented by Duraswitch Industries, this technology was specifically engineered to combine the absolute best traits of two different keyboard worlds: the ultra-thin, completely sealed profile of a membrane keyboard, and the crisp, long-lasting tactile snap of a mechanical keyboard.

How Duraswitch Technology Works

Traditional rugged keyboards rely on flexible metal or plastic domes that physically bend every time you press a key. Over time, those domes wear out and lose their snap.

Duraswitch replaces those bending parts with a patented magnetic armature system (most notably their PushGate® technology):

1. The Magnet: Inside each key is a tiny, highly precise flat magnet and a floating steel armature.

2. The Snap: When you press the key, your finger forces the armature to break away from the magnet's hold. Because it releases instantly, it hits the circuit board below with a incredibly sharp, "crispy" physical click.

3. The Reset: When you let go, the magnetic force instantly snaps the armature back into its resting position.

Because electricity is only conducted at the exact millisecond the magnet releases, it is physically impossible to "tease" the key (meaning you can't push it halfway down to trick the computer into spamming inputs).

Key Advantages of Duraswitch Keyboards

• Extreme Longevity (30+ Million Cycles): Standard metal dome membrane keyboards usually fail after 1 to 5 million presses because the metal fatigues. Because Duraswitch parts don't warp or bend to actuate, they easily last for 30 million plus presses without the typing feel changing at all.

• Immune to Harsh Environments: They are inherently low-profile and easily sealed to IP65/IP67/IP68 standards. They operate seamlessly in extreme hot or cold temperatures, high altitudes, and heavy vibration.

• Vandal and Shock Resistant: The lack of fragile internal moving pieces makes these keypads highly resistant to heavy impacts, abuse, or intentional vandalism.

• Excellent Feedback in Noisy Settings: The mechanical "click" provides distinct physical and audible feedback, which is crucial for operators working in loud environments where they can't hear their own equipment.

Common Applications

You won't find a Duraswitch keyboard on a standard office desk. Instead, they are licensed and manufactured by industrial electronics companies for high-stakes environments:

• Public Kiosks & ATMs: Where millions of people will mash the buttons over several years.

• Airport Baggage X-Ray Systems: Used by security personnel 24/7 where high reliability and quick typing feedback are required.

• Medical Devices: Where the keyboard must be a completely flat, sealed surface that can be aggressively wiped down with chemicals, but doctors still need to feel a distinct "click" when entering vitals.

• Heavy Off-Road & Military Vehicles: Used for control panels in tanks, tractors, and construction equipment exposed to mud, oil, and intense rattling.