I second the PACTEC idea.  We have ordered thousands of their membrane
keypads, and we are not very nice to them.  I've been very impressed.

----------
> From: Wagner Lipnharski <wagnerl@EARTHLINK.NET>
> To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: Re: Keypads
> Date: Thursday, February 18, 1999 10:05 AM
>
> Pactec as some ready keypads for their cases, they can sell it
>   alone if you want, they have few different sizes and key quantity
>   combination. It comes in black/white polycarbonate label, but you
>   can apply another thin polycarbonate label over it.  It comes with
>   a 0.1" pin distance female connector.  I believe Digikey has it.
>
>   We used membrane switches during long time, trying to go for rubber
>   keypads right now, with micro switches on the back.
>
>   Hey Pactec people, look here at me, doing free ad for you!!
>
>   ------------------------------------
>   Wagner Lipnharski - UST Research Inc
>   Orlando, Florida  - http://ustr.net
>   ------------------------------------
>
>
>
> Eric Oliver wrote:
> >
> > Hi guys and gals !
> >
> > As part of the project I'm working on, I need a sealed keypad.  I've
> > searched through the Internet, but I've been unable to find a keypad
that
> > is acceptable.  What I would really like is a 20 key membrane keypad
that
> > allows me to insert custom labels under the membrane.
> >
> > I still have a few logical problems that I have to overcome, like it
might
> > be easier if my users had a full keyboard ( similar to the ones used in
> > HPCs ), as they will sometimes need to enter alphanumeric data.  This
is a
> > portable unit so it will have to be relatively small and robust ( it
will
> > be used on the manufacturing floor ). On the other hand, I could take
the
> > approached used by cell phones and use the number keys to enter
> > alphanumeric data.  For instance to enter a 'C', press a special
function
> > key to toggle to alpha mode, then press '2' three times.  This is
awkward
> > but would work.
> >
> > What I'm looking for is advice.  I would like a solution that I can use
in
> > a prototype and then easily move to production.
> >
> > On another related note, does anyone have any experience with using
custom
> > made membrane keypads ?
> >
> > TIA,
> > Eric