3M Touch Systems Provides High-Volume Touch Sensor Production to Help Meet Increasing Mobile Phone D
3M announced the commercial availability of MicroTouch Flex Capacitive Touch Sensors
[UKPRwire, Wed Oct 03 2007] 3M, the diversified technology company, today announced the commercial availability of a new polyester-based projected capacitive touch screen solution. MicroTouch Flex Capacitive Touch Sensors from 3M are ideal for high-volume mobile display products, such as mobile phones, PDAs, MP3 players, and personal navigation systems.
“As consumer demand for touch-enabled mobile devices accelerates in Europe our high-volume roll form production of MicroTouch Flex Capacitive Touch Sensors will help address the increasing requirement for touch screen sensors from mobile device manufacturers,” said Francesco Fasoglio, European Business Manager, 3M Touch Systems. “Our team of local field application engineers will add further value by working closely with design houses on customisation and design-in projects.”
Leveraging over 20 years experience in touch technology development and commercialisation, the MicroTouch Flex Capacitive Touch Sensor from 3M is uniquely manufactured in a roll-to-roll process by applying a variety of patent-pending Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) patterns on lightweight, cost-effective polyester film (PET). The result is an incredibly thin, optically clear projected capacitive touch sensor available to device manufacturers in rolls containing up to 72,000 sensors, depending on size. The roll configuration provides manufacturers with optimal scalability for fluctuating product volumes and production flexibility for changes in product design, component stack-ups and compact integration requirements.
Sascha Goerner, Flex Film Senior Field Application Engineer, 3M Touch Systems, commented, “Since Flex Capacitive Sensors are manufactured through a continuous, roll form production process, this helps device manufacturers manage their component supply chain from the prototype phase to pilot scale and full scale-up. Our ability to produce touch sensors on rolls means our customers can get the quantities they need when they need them.”
“A film-based sensor like Flex Capacitive allows product designers to explore new and unique industrial designs beyond the limitations of traditional square or rectangular touch sensor shapes. As personal mobile devices continue to converge, touch sensor design freedom helps provide product manufacturers a greater ability to differentiate their products,” Goerner continued.
Easily customised into a variety of shapes and sizes, MicroTouch Flex Capacitive Touch Sensors can also be designed for touch applications ranging from simple button operation to full X,Y touch screen capabilities. Various material thicknesses are available to meet compact design requirements, currently ranging from 0.050 mm to 0.125 mm in thickness. These ultra thin touch sensors can be optically laminated to glass or polycarbonate lens for optimal surface durability with touch sensitivity “projected” through the lens. Or, by using hard-coated polyester these sensors can work directly as lightweight touch screens for devices requiring a more economical and thinner touch profile.
For more information on MicroTouch Flex Capacitive Touch Sensors, visit www.FlexCapTouch.com
- Ends -
3M, MicroTouch and ClearTek are trademarks of 3M
About 3M Touch Systems, Inc.
3M Touch Systems Inc., a subsidiary of 3M, operates globally and is part of the 3M Display & Graphics business, headquartered in St. Paul, Minn. For more information please visit www.3m.com/uk/touch.
3M – Practical and ingenious solutions that help customers succeed
3M is a $22.9 billion diversified technology company, creating innovative products that help make the world smarter, faster, healthier and safer. Well known 3M brands include Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate and Scotch-Brite.
3M has pioneered innovation since 1902 and, today, invests more than $1.5 billion a year in R&D. It has applied its expertise in RFID technology to deliver biometric passports; it is using its understanding of the healthcare industry to provide hospitals with infection prevention and detection solutions; and its digital signage offerings are revolutionising the way businesses communicate with their customers, their employees and the general public.
3M employs 75,000 people worldwide to deliver more than 55,000 products to customers in some 200 countries. Its diverse technologies touch nearly every aspect of modern life, serving markets such as consumer and office, display and graphics, electronics and communications, healthcare, industrial and transportation, safety and protection services, and security systems.
The UK and Ireland is home to one of the largest 3M subsidiaries outside the USA, employing 3850 people across 17 locations, including 11 manufacturing sites. Products manufactured in the UK include coated abrasives, respirators, adhesive tapes, industrial microbiology products, drug delivery systems, high-performance coatings, secure documents and passport scanners.
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Blinklist
Reddit