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Resistive Touchscreens

Points to Ensure the Quality of Resistive Touch Screens

Given their durability and economic solutions, resistive touch screens are widely used for a number of day-to-day applications. Although there are many different innovative touch screens, resistive touch screens are still the preferred choice for ATMs, kiosks, medical equipment and more. Most importantly, resistive touch panels are simple to operate even in harsh situations and industrial settings. For industries that involve operations through gloved hands, even while using touch equipment, resistive touch technology become the most suitable option as it is pressure activated and does not require contact with human touch or a capacitive stylus.

A resistive touch screen sensor is an analogue switch technology that is pressure activated. It consists of two conductive coated layers, usually using Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), facing each other and are separated by a layer of dielectric spacer dots. When pressure is applied to the top surface, the two layers come into contact and generate an electrical flow. The voltages are rendered into x and y coordinates and then sent to the controller that locates the touch point.

However, resistive touch screens are typically of three different types- 4, 5 & 8 wired. A voltage gradient is applied to each layer to determine the x and y and the voltage is measured by the opposite layer acting as a no-load voltage probe when touched in 4 and 8-wire sensors. In 5-wire sensors, the touch point is measured by current flow alternating between the horizontal and then vertical pairs of the substrate corner electrodes and then measuring the voltage in each plane X & Y by the top switch layer which acts as a no-load voltage probe.

So when it comes to choosing a resistive touch screen, there are a few things one must consider.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Resistive Touchscreen

  1.  4-wire vs 5-Wire
    Out of the three resistive touch screens, 4 and 5 wired technology are commonly used for applications. So the selection is made based on technology used to detect touch commands. Both 4-wire and 5-wire resistive touch screens identify and respond to pressure-activated touch commands. But in 5-wire resistive touch screens, all the electrodes are placed on the bottom layer; on the other hand, electrodes in 4-wire resistive touch screens are placed on both the bottom and top layers. As a result, 5-wire resistive touch screens last longer and outperform in comparison to their 4-wire counterpart.
  2. Material
    The material of each component in touch screens plays a crucial role in making the decision. That needs to be of superior quality to ensure the durability of touch screens. Some manufacturers provide resistive touch screens with two layers of plastic, while others offer resistive touch screens featuring a glass layer and a plastic layer. The glass and plastic layers have their own significance, plastic layers can withstand damage and are stronger. Glass layers, on the other hand, offer superior image clarity and don’t bend with touch pressure.
  3. Moisture Resistance
    Touch screen devices used outdoors or in industries need to be moisture resistant, otherwise, if water seeps into the circuit, the device may start functioning abnormally, or in the worst case, it could be dead. Resistive touch screens are designed to keep moisture out. Additionally, A D Metro, the leading manufacturer and supplier of innovative touch screen solutions, offers completely waterproof Ultra-resistive touch screens that are perfect for rugged and wet conditions.
  4. Display
    Considering the display quality is a crucial step to follow for touch screen selection. The liquid-crystal display (LCD) has become a prevalent display technology for touch screens, and resistive touch screens are no exception..
  5. Conclusion:
    Considering these factors will definitely help in getting the best quality resistive touch screens. However, for assured quality and to make the most of resistive touch screens, A D Metro’s Ultra-resistive touch screens with patented durable glass surface would be a perfect choice. ULTRA-armored resistive touch screen sensor overcomes the traditional limitations of standard resistive touch screens with its durable borosilicate glass surface instead of a standard traditional polyethylene surface.
    If you are looking for resistive touch screens, check out the options available with A D Metro.

Ask the touch screen experts at A D Metro