Touch panels are an essential component of many devices, enabling easy and intuitive operation. They allow users to interact with the device through touch, registering finger/object movements on the screen surface. This enables device usage without the need for a keyboard or mouse.
Today, touch panels have become a standard feature not only in consumer electronics, such as smartphones and tablets, but also in specialized devices designed for industries such as industry, transportation, and medicine.
How to choose the right touch panel from our offer?
There are several types of touch screens available on the market. Although they may look similar, they are different solutions characterized not only by their operation method but also by factors such as sensitivity, precision, durability, and light transmittance.
Touch panels are a universal term used to refer to the combination of displays, touch sensors, and glass. In our offer, we consistently provide two types of touch sensors: capacitive (CTP) and resistive (RTP). Upon customer request, we can also provide solutions in other technologies, such as infrared (IR).
Below, we describe selected touch technologies and customization options for glass.
Capacitive Touch Screen vs Resistive Touch Screen
Capacitive Panels
In capacitive touch screens, the position is determined by detecting disturbances in the electrostatic field. Capacitive sensors are made of indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes, which can be located in the corners of the screen (known as surface capacitive) or distributed across the entire surface of the screen (known as projected capacitive). When we touch the screen with conductive objects like fingers or a stylus, their conductivity causes a change in the electrostatic capacitance between the electrodes through capacitive coupling. This change is identified and processed into touch points by the controller.
Learn more about surface capacitive and projected capacitive variants in our comprehensive guide on capacitive touch panels.
Resistive Panels
In resistive touch screens, the position is determined by detecting changes in resistance. Resistive sensors consist of two layers of film: a flexible, touch-responsive top layer and a rigid bottom layer. Both layers are coated with indium tin oxide films on the inside. When we touch the screen, the top and bottom layers make physical contact, creating a circuit. The resistance at the point of contact is measured, and its value is processed into touch points by the controller.
Capacitive vs Resistive Screens – a Comparison
Both technologies have their advantages and disadvantages, which we compare in the table below:
| Feature | Capacitive Touch Panel (CTP) | Resistive Touch Panel (RTP) |
| Sensitivity | Higher | Lower |
| Precision | Higher | Lower |
| Response Time | Faster | Slower |
| Multi-touch Support (Multitouch) | Yes | No |
| Ability to Operate with any Object | No (only with dedicated objects like a stylus) | Yes |
| Ability to Operate with Gloves | Yes, after calibration | Yes, without calibration |
| Operation with Surface Contaminants | Yes, after calibration | Yes, without calibration |
| Susceptibility to Damage | Lower | Higher |
| Visibility of Content in Highly Lit Environments | Better | Worse |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
Customizing Touch Panels to Application Requirements
Touch panels can be customized to suit specific operating conditions. In some projects, enhancements such as the following can be applied:
- Water rejection mode (ensures proper touch panel operation even when water is present on the screen surface)
- Palm rejection mode (ensures proper touch panel operation when larger objects, such as the entire palm, come into contact with the screen)
- Noise detection or frequency hopping functions (real-time adjustment of module operation to environmental conditions with frequent changes in interference levels and frequencies)
Glass Thickness in Touch Panels
The thickness of the glass in touch panels is crucial for their durability. In our offer, touch panels with standard glass thicknesses of 1.1mm, 1.8mm, and 2.8mm are available.
For devices with touch panels located in public spaces, it is worth considering customizing the glass with a thickness of 5mm, which provides protection against accidental damage as well as intentional acts of vandalism.
Coatings – an Additional Form of Upgrading Touch Panels
Coatings can be applied to the surface of touch screens to enhance the user experience. Currently, standard solutions include antiglare (AG) and antireflective (AR) coatings, which reduce light reflections.
In devices with touch functionality located in public spaces, other types of coatings are increasingly being used, including:
- Antifingerprint (AF) coating, which reduces the adhesion of contaminants, including fingerprints, to the screen surface
- Antishatter (AS) coating, which prevents the propagation of glass fragments in the event of panel damage
- Antimicrobial (AM) coating, which limits the growth of microorganisms on the screen surface applied by users, with effectiveness of at least 99.9%
It is important to note that even with the application of all types of coatings, the touch panel operation is not affected, while the quality of displayed content may be improved.
Customization of Glass in Touch Panels
Design aesthetics are becoming increasingly important, and products should be visually appealing. This trend leads manufacturers to create customizable solutions, such as painting the edges of the glass or applying unique shapes to the glass.
Designers are now taking advantage of the customization options for glass. This allows for additional possibilities, including:
- Trimming the glass to give it a unique shape
- Creating openings in the glass to accommodate necessary mechanical elements like buttons, switches, or knobs
- Applying paint to the glass
Customizing the glass gives touch panels an elegant appearance, making them the perfect solution for discerning customers.
Built-in Controller
The touch panel controller is responsible for processing the touch signal from the touch screen and transmitting it to the connected device. In our offer, we provide touch controllers from reputable manufacturers, including EETI, FocalTech, and ILITEK.
The choice of controller depends on the application requirements. Contact us, and we will guide you in selecting the best controller for your designed device.
Touch Panel Manufacturers
Our offer includes touch panels from renowned manufacturers such as AMT (Apex Material Technology) from Taiwan. For over 25 years, AMT has specialized in touch panel production. The high quality of their products, combined with innovative technologies and extensive experience, attracts customers from around the world.