The Customer
Syntech is a leading provider of fuel and fleet management solutions, serving government, commercial, and industrial operations worldwide. Through its FuelMaster platform, the company helps customers secure fuel assets, manage fleet activity, and access operational data in real time across sectors such as transit, defense, aviation, mining, marine, construction, and retail.
The Challenge
Syntech needed a keypad solution designed for intensive use in harsh conditions, where durability, robustness, and tactile performance were essential. The interface had to withstand repeated impact and heavy daily use while remaining reliable and easy to operate.
Key requirements included:
- High-impact construction for demanding environments.
- Strong tactile feedback for confident operation.
- Long-term durability in the field.
- Effective full backlighting for a high number of keys.
- Custom design integration tailored to the application.
Our Solution
To meet these requirements, we developed a custom rugged keypad solution engineered for durability, tactility, and long-term reliability. Our team designed the complete interface architecture, including the key design and full stack-up.
The solution included:
- Duraswitch magnetic membrane switch technology for proven rugged performance.
- A thick metal backplate for added structural strength.
- A silicone membrane to enhance robustness and tactile feel.
- Full backlighting with optical fiber for clear and even illumination across many keys.
- A fully customized stack-up and key design tailored to Syntech’s product requirements.
The Result
The final solution delivered the durability, robustness, and tactility Syntech was looking for. The customer has been highly
satisfied with the performance of the design, and thousands of units have been delivered as part of a long-standing relationship that began in 2003.
This project highlights the value of combining proven switch technology with custom engineering to create reliable interfaces for demanding applications.