After many years of resistive touchscreens being the predominant choice for various industrial applications, the demand for products with capacitive touch (Pcap) is now increasing. What exactly are the differences between both and what are the benefits for the user?
The touch sensor of a Pcap no longer consists of several layers, but only of a glass plate, on which a transparent, conductive foil was applied on the back side. This generates an electric field whose change by the laying on of a finger determines the exact position. Hence, unlike a resistive touchscreen, a capacitive touchscreen does not react to pressure, but to minimal contact.
Furthermore, a gesture input is possible, as known from your smartphone. As a result, windows or areas can be made larger or smaller (multitouch). Furthermore, capacitive touch systems offer higher input accuracy than resistive ones.
However, the main advantage of this touch technology lies in its indestructibility: Since the film is not on top of the resistive touch, but under the glass plate, the wear based on mechanical effects is drastically reduced.
Nevertheless, where operation without gloves would be very difficult or too cumbersome, resistive touchscreens will continue to assert their position in the future, especially as this technology is also (still) cheaper.
Uticor offers its own solutions with both technologies. If you have further questions in this respect, just contact us - we'll be more than happy to
