Touch screen technology simplifies every part of the business process.
As such, most businesses will require touch screens at some point. However, the types of touch screen should be carefully considered to ensure you get the best for your needs.
To simplify your buying decision, the experts here at A D Metro have put together a guide. Here’s what you need to know about the four main types of touch screen and how they can be applied in workplace settings.
Resistive Touch Screens
One of the most common types of touch screens you’ll come across, resistive touch technology is widely used in and out of the workplace. They’re simple to operate and allow for user input at all times.
ULTRA touch screens
ULTRA technology from A D Metro applies a combined glass and polyester layer to 4 and 5-wire screens, which increases their durability and sensor life.
Benefits of resistive touch screens
Pressure activated
No special equipment is required to use a resistive touch screen. They work by responding to pressure exerted on the screen, meaning all you need to operate one is a finger.
That makes them extremely accessible and easy to use.
Dirt and water resistant
An ULTRA resistive touch screen is made to be resistant to anything other than purposely exerted pressure.
That means calibration issues are kept to a minimum, as things like dirt getting on the screen and scratches from regular use cannot interrupt the system’s connectivity.
ULTRA resistive touch screens are also water resistant. This makes them great for use in public settings, where you cannot be sure you can prevent spillages or rain-exposure over time.
Highly affordable
Resistive touch screens are widely accessible, and that makes them a highly affordable option for small to medium enterprises.
For a business owner who wants to make their checkout or booking system more simple and convenient, investing in resistive touch screens is a good choice. .
Limitations of non ULTRA resistive touch screens
Low durability
This is a common problem in resistive touch screens that come without the ULTRA tech upgrade. 4-wire and 5-wire touch screens alike can only be used for a limited time before they break down. 8-wire, as an upgrade of the 4-wire touch screen, addresses some durability issues, but it’s still not a perfect make.
For example, a 5-wire touch screen can, at max, accept around 35 million touches on the same point, like in a system of buttons on the screen that guide a customer through self service checkout.
In a retail or restaurant setting, where a touch screen is used by multiple customers to pay for items or order food, this number could be reached within a relatively short period of time.
Short sensor life
Sensor issues are another common issue in resistive touch screens. The sensors used to track positioning of a person’s finger can unfortunately be low quality.
This usually means screens need to be frequently recalibrated to ensure touch tracking remains the same, but this can be time consuming and frustrating.
Only good for use with a finger
Non ULTRA Resistive touch screens are best used with a finger, rather than something like a stylus. Using a stylus on a 4-wire screen can impact both the screen durability and the touch tracking in just a few short uses.
If you’re unsure how hard someone is going to press down with a stylus, and it’s next to impossible to monitor this, you’ll need to rely on simple finger touches instead.
However, this can present hygiene issues in the modern business workplace. That’s why ULTRA tech screens have addressed this issue, and allow use with gloves or a stylus.
Projected Capacitive Touch Screens
How projected capacitive touch screens work
Projected capacitive touch screens are more complex than their resistive counterparts.
This type of touch screen works via conductivity. Electrical sensors respond to something conductive being placed on the screen. This makes them great for smartphones and handheld gaming consoles.
Capacitive vs. projected capacitive touch screens
Project capacitive tech was preceded by surface capacitive tech, which allowed for larger and very durable screens. That made them perfect for use by banks for their ATMs.
However, the use of capacitive touch screens can be limited, thanks to their size and lack of input adaptability. The move to projected capacitive technology was essential in ensuring this tech could be applied to the modern workplace.
Advantages of projected capacitive touch screens
Better optic range
Project capacitive touch screens benefit from better optics. For example, sun exposure won’t cause as much glare.
However, outside usage is unadvised. These screens are adversely affected by water and will need to be kept out of the rain.
Much more durable
Capacitive technology as a whole is quite resistant to long term damage and tends to last a long time.
Disadvantages of projected capacitive touch screens
Incredibly sensitive
As the screens are electrical based and conductive, the presence of water or electrical interference can trip the system and cause glitching.
Infrared Touch Screens
How infrared touch screens work
Infrared emitters are placed in a frame, which then emit a series of light beams. When something blocks a beam, it registers as a touch in the corresponding area.
The most common uses of infrared touch screens
Infrared type touch screens are widely used in big display applications. Outdoor displays, indoor exhibitions, and businesses in need of large signage will typically opt for infrared touch screens.
The problems with standard infrared touch screens
Ineffective in bright light
Infrared touch screens maintain poor performance in bright light environments. Direct exposure to sunlight overpowers the beam based system, as can any strobing light source nearby.
Can be hard to use
Infrared screens can activate before they’re even touched. That can cause various glitches and mistakes when in use.
Not dirt resistant
Infrared touch panels can suffer due to dirt and dead insects. Infrared screens work via light blockage, so anything that gets in the way of the beams could activate the system.
How Linear Correlating Infrared (LCIR) technology by A D Metro helps
Infrared touch screens can’t cope with direct light exposure, but applying LCIR touch sensors to the system can counteract the effects of elements like sunlight including strobing sunlight as in helicopter applications.
Not only does this help the system to perform better, but it makes the display much clearer to anyone using it.
Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) Touch Screens
SAW touch screens are non-electric, making them great for medical and logistic applications, as well as for use in high traffic environments. Unfortunately, many SAW touch screens are now obsolete and end of life.
How SAW touch screens work
An SAW touch screen utilizes sound waves and only requires a single glass surface. The way the sound interacts with this surface indicates when the screen is in use.
Receivers on the sensor’s perimeter ‘hear’ what sound goes out, and if a hand comes close and absorbs some of this sound, they will then ‘hear’ a lower amount coming back.
The benefits of using SAW touch screens
Low maintenance
By using sound waves that are always around, the need for constant maintenance to keep them clean (including re-calibration), is required.
Great light transmission
These touch screens have a nearly 100% light transmission rate, due to the use of plain glass in the construction.
Drawbacks of SAW touch screens
Easy to damage
SAW screens are reliant on sound waves, which can be blocked by dirt and water. Also, if the screen’s surface is scratched deep enough, it will cause a dead spot on one side of the scratch as the ultrasonic sound waves fall into and bounce out of the scratch..
Availability
SAW screens can be hard to get a hold of. They are expensive and require a gap between the bezel of the monitor and the surface of the sensor making for challenging integration.They have largely been replaced by projected capacitive technology..
