Technology
Relevant technologies for touch screen panels, HMIs and control panels
Projected Capacitive touchscreens (PCAP)
Capacitive touchscreens are an integral part of today’s world. We make them from small to large, ranging from 7 to 42 inches, in our own cleanroom.
Optimal application of this technology requires choices in terms of:
- Material, shape and thickness of the cover (glass; plastic)
- Operating requirements and conditions (temperature, moisture, gloves)
- Capacitive touch screen type (G/G – G/F/F)
- Disturbances caused by internal components and external environmental factors
- Communication with the touch controller
Capacitive keys
In addition to capacitive touch screens, capacitive keys are also often used. This can be as single buttons but also as sliders. We also develop touch screens in which we integrate extra keys. This saves the costs of an additional controller.
Firmware Tuning
The operation of a PCAP touch screen is controlled by standard firmware. However, our customers’ applications are often not standard. ACL can tune the controllers in house and therefore apply the desired refinement.
Channel partnerships
In other words, there are many possibilities and together with our customer we determine the perfect technology. ACL can draw on many years of experience and our partnerships with leading suppliers.
Resistive touchscreens
The resistive touchscreens also retain their applications. Due to the lower costs and proven reliability under extreme conditions, this technique is still preferred in various sectors.
Touch foil
ACL has the possibility to build 100% flat front panels based on resistive touchscreens. A printed front foil is then bonded to the touchscreen using an optically clear adhesive (OCA) in our cleanroom.
It is also possible to glue front foils to a (PCAP) cover of glass or plastic. For the food industry, for example, this is an interesting concept.
Membrane keyboards, other switching techniques and combinations
Despite the increase in use taken by touchscreens in recent years, they do not meet all needs. ACL also still produces membrane keyboards, making us one of the few remaining manufacturers in Europe.
Combining these and other long-standing technologies with modern touchscreens creates perfectly tailored products that fully meet the customer’s wishes. For example:
- Capacitive/resistive touchscreens combined with membrane keyboards
- Capacitive/resistive touchscreens combined with integrated circuit boards
- Capacitive/resistive touchscreens combined with mechanical switches and/or encoders
Modules and complete systems
We also develop and produce complete systems or modules for our customers. We then have a single source of contact throughout the entire product life cycle. We can take care of the entire process from design, engineering, serial production up to and including lifecycle management (repair, refurbishment).