Industrial monitors must ensure excellent readability of the presented information in demanding conditions: direct light, contact with dust and water, and vibrations. In addition, they must be capable of operating in a wide temperature range, at least from -20 °C to 70 °C. They should also resist accidental damage, such as unintentional tool strikes. Therefore, they require rugged enclosures and reinforced screens. This article discusses three data visualization technologies – LCD-TFT, LED, and OLED.
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What display technologies are used in industrial monitors?
Three data visualization technologies dominate the market for industrial solutions: LCD-TFT displays, LED displays, and OLED displays.
LCD-TFT displays are an advanced type of liquid crystal display in which thin-film transistors individually control each pixel. The information displayed on the screen will be sufficiently legible even in intensely lit spaces using modules with extended optical parameters, including brightness and contrast. Among LCD-TFT displays, IPS matrix panels with full viewing angles (89°/89°/89°/89°/89°) stand out, which allows reading the content presented on the screen from different planes. This will enable you to use the same device from various positions.
LED displays are flat panel screens that use a matrix of light-emitting diodes, where each diode is responsible for one pixel of the image. Screens of this type generate light independently, ensuring high contrast and brightness while being energy efficient. Thanks to their modular design, they can be adapted to various needs, from small information screens to huge video walls.
OLED displays are screens in which each pixel emits its own light thanks to organic light-emitting diodes. This means they don’t require additional backlighting like LCD-TFT, providing deep blacks, high contrast, and vivid colors. This technology offers the highest image quality, design flexibility, the widest operating temperature, and energy efficiency. At the same time, it is not free of drawbacks – its main drawback is pixel burn-in when presenting static content.
Do industrial displays require special anti-reflective coatings?
Let’s focus on LCD-TFT solutions – in their case, intense light can make it impossible to read the content presented on the screen (for example, when used in factories with huge windows through which sunlight enters).
The solution to this problem is anti-reflective (AR) coatings. They consist of multiple layers of optical materials that form a barrier to reduce reflections and counteract specific wavelengths of light, making it easier for operators to use the screen.
Why are brightness and contrast critical in industrial displays?
In LCD-TFT displays, brightness and contrast directly impact image quality. Proper selection of these parameters improves the readability of the information displayed on the screen. It also becomes easier to distinguish details.
Brightness in LCD-TFT displays can be as high as 1000 cd/m2 (and more), which is a key factor for excellent readability, even in direct light (including sunlight). This parameter determines how bright an object or surface is. The higher the brightness value, the brighter the observed spot.
Contrast measures the difference between the brightest white and darkest black a monitor can display simultaneously. A high monitor contrast ratio (e.g. 1000:1) means the brightest white is 1000 times brighter than the darkest black.
Let’s also look at the refresh rate. It is measured in hertz, determining how often the image is refreshed per second. Industrial monitors typically operate at 60 Hz. This value is sufficient to present data without visible flicker.
Do the touch panels used in industrial monitors affect readability?
The touch panels of industrial monitors can affect the readability of the presented information. The impact varies depending on the technology used. In the case of resistive touch panels – due to additional layers applied to the display surface – the clarity and brightness of the image is slightly reduced. They may blur or distort the image to some extent.
The choice of screen depends on the purpose of the monitor. For example, capacitive touch panels are recommended in the medical or automotive industries, as they guarantee better color reproduction.
The industrial monitors available in Unisystem’s offer use the latest technologies to ensure optimal readability of the information presented. Need help in choosing the right solution? Our specialists are at your disposal – contact us.