In industrial metrology, millimeters make all the difference. Precision measuring instruments from Trimos—one of the world’s most renowned manufacturers of dimensional metrology equipment—are used daily in production environments where the highest accuracy and absolute reliability are not just desirable features, but fundamental technical requirements. But while the measurement precision of these devices is beyond question, a problem emerged in day-to-day project work in an area that seems unremarkable at first glance: the user interface.
The question of how a user interacts with a measuring device—which button they press, how the device responds to their touch—seems trivial. But it isn’t. Especially in harsh industrial environments, where oil, dirt, metal shavings, and moisture are part of daily operations, the HMI (Human-Machine Interface) is one of the weakest links in conventional device designs. And that is precisely where the collaboration between Trimos and Algra comes in.
Capacitive touchscreens and touch keypads have become standard in consumer electronics. They are flat, respond quickly, can be seamlessly integrated into device surfaces, and have a modern look. No wonder they’re also increasingly finding their way into industrial device manufacturing.
The problem: Capacitive technology works by detecting the electrical conductivity of the human finger. This very characteristic is also its Achilles’ heel. As soon as a user wears protective gloves—a common and often mandatory requirement in industrial settings—the capacitive interface loses its basis of operation. Input becomes unreliable or stops working altogether.
Added to this are environmental conditions: In manufacturing metrology, oil and coolants are ubiquitous. Contaminated surfaces alter the electric field to which capacitive sensors respond. This leads to erroneous inputs, unintended activations, or complete failure of the interface. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) also poses a real problem: Capacitive systems often require extensive shielding measures and individual fine-tuning to function reliably in electrically noisy production environments.
For Trimos, this combination of limitations was unacceptable. The requirements for the new keypad interface were clearly defined:
The search for a suitable technology platform led to Algra.
For decades, Algra has specialized in the development and manufacture of sophisticated HMI input systems for industrial applications. The company supplies OEM customers in industries where conventional solutions reach their limits: medical technology, measurement technology, mechanical and plant engineering, ATEX areas, maritime applications, and more.
The product portfolio includes piezo keyboards, PCAP touch systems, force-touch solutions, and—crucially in this case—Dynasense resistive technology. What sets Algra apart from a traditional component supplier is that the company sees itself as a development partner. From the initial technical analysis through prototyping and validation to a production-ready solution—including enclosure development and system integration.
For Trimos, this meant: not an isolated component issue, but a jointly developed complete system.
At first glance, this might sound like a step backward toward older membrane keyboard technology. It is quite the opposite. Dynasense combines the input reliability of robust resistive sensor technology with modern manufacturing processes that enable seamless, flush-mounted designs. The result is an interface that is industrially durable and, at the same time, aesthetically contemporary.
This value was deliberately chosen. 200 g is a pressure point that is clearly perceptible to the touch—tangible enough for reliable feedback, yet light enough for comfortable continuous use. This value can be consistently reproduced even when wearing thick protective gloves. The actuation force is calibratable and can be adjusted to meet specific project requirements.
Dynasense works with all common glove materials: nitrile, latex, leather, and cotton. There are no requirements regarding the user’s electrical conductivity or the type of glove. Input is based solely on pressure.
Oil, coolant, water, metal dust—the surface remains functional. Since no electric field is measured at the surface, contaminants have no effect on input quality. The system operates reliably even when the sensor surface is visibly contaminated.
A figure that is relevant for continuous industrial operation. Measuring instruments are used intensively every day; an interface that shows signs of fatigue after just a few years is not an acceptable standard. Dynasense technology is designed for long-term operation.
Resistive systems are inherently less susceptible to electromagnetic interference than their capacitive counterparts. The effort required to optimize for EMI compliance is significantly reduced—a key factor in terms of development time and certification costs.
Despite the robust technology behind it, Dynasense can be integrated into visually flat, seamless surfaces. The interface blends harmoniously into the overall design of the Trimos device—without compromising its appearance.
One aspect that is often underestimated when describing interface technologies: A keypad is not an isolated component. It must be mechanically integrated into a housing, electrically connected, and adapted to the device’s overall system. Gap dimensions, material transitions, assembly processes, and sealing requirements—all of these factors influence whether a technically flawless individual component functions properly in practice.
Algra took on not only the development of the keypad interface for Trimos, but also the design and manufacturing of the plastic injection-molded housing, as well as complete system integration. In concrete terms, this means: a single point of contact for the entire assembly, coordinated tolerances and materials, and joint validation under real-world operating conditions.
This approach significantly reduces interface risks. When the housing and input component come from a single source, the typical coordination loops between different suppliers are eliminated. This saves development time and minimizes the risk of integration problems in the late project phase—precisely when rework is most expensive.
The joint development project between Trimos and Algra resulted in a production-ready HMI solution that meets all original requirements—without the typical compromises that arise when a standard solution is forced into a specific application context.
Trimos received:
What may look like a technical checklist on the specification sheet takes on a more concrete meaning in everyday project work: Users can operate their measuring devices without restrictions, just as they work—wearing gloves, under production conditions, year after year. That is the standard by which an industrial HMI should be measured.
The collaboration between Trimos and Algra is an example of a development partnership based on technical substance. No simply imposing a standard solution. No compromise between industrial suitability and design. Instead: a solution developed from the ground up for the specific application, supported by a partner who understands the problem before proposing a solution.
For manufacturers of industrial measuring instruments, machines, or systems used in demanding environments, the same fundamental question arises that Trimos asked: Which input technology is actually suitable for what my device needs to accomplish—and who can help me implement it reliably?
Algra has provided an answer to this question for Trimos. And the foundation for this—the technology, the manufacturing expertise, and the approach as a development partner—is also available for other projects.