Waterproof Keyboards & Encoders
Sealed, IP-rated membrane keyboards and USB keyboard encoders built to survive washdown, marine, defence and industrial environments. Designed and manufactured in Brisbane.
Sealed keyboards built for washdown
Reid's membrane keypads are engineered to withstand harsh environments. Our circuit designs use strict IP-sensitive design elements developed over many years with Australia's best electronics engineers, and by sealing the stack with our range of 3M adhesives the keyboard becomes a completely sealed solution able to meet your IP expectations.
Add our USB Keyboard Encoder and a custom membrane QWERTY keypad becomes a simple plug-and-play device for any Windows PC - ideal for washdown, marine, defence, mining and industrial use.
The USB Keyboard Encoder
The USB Keyboard Encoder makes it easy to connect a custom membrane QWERTY keypad to a PC's USB keyboard port, converting the switch contact closures into standard Windows keyboard codes. It is a simple plug-and-play device linked by a USB cable - no drivers, no external power.
The keypad itself is a traditional membrane switch: printed silver circuitry, an embossed graphic overlay for consistent tactile feedback, and a fully sealed edge so nothing gets in. Choose from MacDermid Autotype hard-coated films, including Autotex AM antimicrobial and Autotex Soft Touch.
The encoder is hot-pluggable, powered from the connected PC, boots error-free, and supports custom key mapping and board layouts - so we can tailor both the graphics and the key behaviour to your product.
Tasmanian Scale Company, a weighing-machine manufacturer supplying the dairy industry, came to Reid in search of a waterproof QWERTY keyboard for their own iWEIGH Solutions weighing software - one that could withstand the rigours of the chemicals used in the dairy on a daily basis.
Reid's design team worked closely with Tasmanian Scale Company to produce a customised turnkey product: a traditional sealed membrane switch paired with our USB Keyboard Encoder, with an embossed overlay layer giving the dairy operators consistent tactile feedback in a wet, wash-down environment.
Capabilities & design options
Everything needed to turn a membrane keypad into a rugged, sealed input device that survives the environment it lives in.
IP-rated sealed construction
Strict IP-sensitive circuit design, sealed with 3M adhesives, engineered to your required ingress-protection rating.
USB Keyboard Encoder
Plug-and-play membrane-QWERTY-to-USB, hot-pluggable, PC-powered, Windows compatible, error-free boot.
Antimicrobial surfaces
Autotex AM antimicrobial film for germicidal and hygiene-critical environments such as food, dairy and medical.
Hard-coated & Soft Touch films
MacDermid Autotype hard-coated polyester, including Autotex Soft Touch, for durable, easy-clean surfaces.
Embossed tactile keys
Embossed overlay layers give clear, consistent tactile feedback even with gloves in wet conditions.
Marine-grade resistance
Salt-water and UV resistant material choices for marine and outdoor exposure.
Custom QWERTY & key mapping
Design the keyboard to your graphics, with custom key mapping and board layout in the encoder.
Rotary & push-button encoders
Rotary and push-button encoder integration alongside the sealed switch matrix.
Australian made
Designed and built in Brisbane, backed by a limited warranty.
Fully sealed assemblies
We build the membrane switch, overlay, embossing and 3M sealing into one sealed assembly, tested and ready to bond to your enclosure and stand up to washdown from day one.
USB encoder & integration
Add the USB Keyboard Encoder for a turnkey membrane QWERTY keyboard: hot-pluggable, PC-powered, with custom key mapping and rotary or push-button encoders integrated as needed.
See Membrane Keypads →Where our waterproof keyboards are used
Waterproof Keyboard Projects
Frequently asked questions
How waterproof are your keyboards?
We seal the membrane switch stack with 3M adhesives and use strict IP-sensitive circuit design, so the keyboard can be built to meet your IP rating and stand up to washdown, spray and harsh cleaning. Tell us the environment and we design to the spec.
What is the USB Keyboard Encoder?
Reid's USB Keyboard Encoder connects a custom membrane QWERTY keypad straight to a PC's USB port, converting the key presses to standard Windows keyboard codes. It is plug-and-play, hot-pluggable, powered from the PC (no external supply), and works with Windows PCs.
Can the keyboard survive chemical washdown and cleaning?
Yes. We build sealed keyboards for exactly these environments - for example a dairy weighing keyboard that has to withstand the chemicals used in daily washdown - and we offer antimicrobial and easy-clean surface films for hygiene-critical use.
Do you offer antimicrobial or easy-clean surfaces?
Yes. We use MacDermid Autotype hard-coated polyester films, including Autotex AM (antimicrobial) for germicidal environments and Autotex Soft Touch for a smooth, easy-wipe feel.
Can the layout and key mapping be customised?
Yes. We design the membrane QWERTY keyboard to your graphics, and the encoder supports custom key mapping and board layout, with embossed keys for consistent tactile feedback. See Membrane Keypads.
Can you integrate rotary or push-button encoders?
Yes. Rotary and push-button encoders can be integrated into the sealed keypad assembly alongside the switch matrix.
Where are your waterproof keyboards made?
Designed and manufactured at our Clontarf facility in Brisbane, Australia.
Need a sealed keyboard designed
and made in Australia?
Tell us your environment, your IP requirement and the layout you need, and we will design a sealed keyboard to suit.