e2ip technologies can create the functional layers of a Transparent Capacitive Switch (TCS) circuit using our production scale Screen Printing facilities. Conductive materials like our MINK or commercially available conductive pastes allow us to screen print <30-micron resolution of transparent metal mesh electrodes. The inks are printed on commercially available PET substrates and high-quality screens.
High-resolution emulsion Technology and Advanced Stainless Steel meshes allow for better edge definition and ultra-fine resolution (10-30 microns below).
PET Substrate technology has also improved to help in the areas of Adhesion, Temperature Dissipation, preventing Paste Spread, and obtaining Smaller Feature sizes (see below).
The design, manufacture, and assembly of this switch is done at e2ip technologies. Screen printed TSC circuit is adhesive bonded to LED circuit for backlighting the icons, light guide film and finally to a dead-front graphic label to make a thin and curved control panel demonstrator with single and multi-touch capability. The backlighting of the icons can be activated by touching the specific area.
Applications like Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) for automotive, home appliances, medical, and aerospace markets are driving this development. Flexible transparent capacitive switches enable a high level of differentiation and design freedom to make thin, ergonomic, and functional surfaces with attractive backlit schemes.
Being sensitive to the manufacturing costs, we consider individual Screen-Printing cycle times of 3-6 seconds for a single pass to help reduce overhead costs. Faster Takt times (the rate at which you need to complete a product to meet customer demand) are possible thanks to the manufacturing speeds of our current processes.
Screen-printed TCS designs provide a more reliable, more cost-effective, and more environmentally friendly solution than conventional electronics (i.e., copper flex), all of which are the key drivers and trends in the above-mentioned markets.
By reducing feature size and layer thickness, e2ip technologies can produce the devices of the future. Printed Electronics know-how and the use of the latest Mesh Technology, Emulsion Technology, Paste Technology, Substrate Technology, and our Professional Screen-Printing manufacturing allow us to produce Advanced IME Devices.
We want to thank our vendors for supporting us during the development of this Transparent Capacitive Switch:
- Sun Chemical
- Asada Mesh
- Sefar US
- Kiwo
