Anthony Locicero, Associate Editor11.08.17
Capacitive technology is the "new norm" – and it's “redefining the technology itself," according to Steve Baker, GM Nameplate's national manager – Electronic Products.
"Millennials," Baker said, "They're communicating through these devices."
Baker said even his 2-year-old granddaughter is using capacitive switch technology.
Capacitive switch technology provides the non-tactile feel that users want in the form of a modernized user interface device," Baker explained.
Our cell phones, laptops, tablets and more all use capacitive technology. Why is it so important?
According to Baker:
The industries using capacitive technology include industries: medical, automotive, instrumentation, industrial controllers, appliance, and consumer electronics, which Baker said is "leading the charge."
There's a "consortium approach" to development, according to Baker – the customer, microcontroller companies and the technical printers.
"The client or customer [comes] up with the configuration of the user interface," he said. "The technical printers [are] out there designing the circuits themselves."
There are two different styles of capacitive switch technology: mutual and self-capacitive.
The mutual capacitive technology uses an X & Y matrix. The sensitivity between the X & Y lines can be adjusted.
"This comes into play with a bare hand environment vs. a glove environment vs. a thick substrate that you're working with...," Baker said. "You can actually adjust the field so it can project through the substrate formats."
Self-capacitive is a single trace to a solid "tap, touch area."
"You're affecting the capacitive field itself and setting up the signal to noise ratios in the design limits or parameters of the circuitry itself," Baker said.
The circuitry can be integrated onto glass, amongst other substrates.
"You have to be very cognizant of the substrate," Baker said. "You don't want any air gap between the material and the circuit itself because it will cut back the sensitivity of the switch."
Some interconnector types include springs, solder tabs, conductive foams, conductive adhesives and spring pins.
For backlit touch surfaces, there are three inks that can be used: clear polymer-based, light transmissive and carbons.
"This technology is definitely in demand," Baker said.
Image via Pixabay
"Millennials," Baker said, "They're communicating through these devices."
Baker said even his 2-year-old granddaughter is using capacitive switch technology.
Capacitive switch technology provides the non-tactile feel that users want in the form of a modernized user interface device," Baker explained.
Our cell phones, laptops, tablets and more all use capacitive technology. Why is it so important?
According to Baker:
- Contemporary market expectation;
- Competitive edge – "Everybody's asking for it";
- Reliability (no moving parts);
- Design flexibility and cleanability;
- Cost vs. performance
The industries using capacitive technology include industries: medical, automotive, instrumentation, industrial controllers, appliance, and consumer electronics, which Baker said is "leading the charge."
There's a "consortium approach" to development, according to Baker – the customer, microcontroller companies and the technical printers.
"The client or customer [comes] up with the configuration of the user interface," he said. "The technical printers [are] out there designing the circuits themselves."
There are two different styles of capacitive switch technology: mutual and self-capacitive.
The mutual capacitive technology uses an X & Y matrix. The sensitivity between the X & Y lines can be adjusted.
"This comes into play with a bare hand environment vs. a glove environment vs. a thick substrate that you're working with...," Baker said. "You can actually adjust the field so it can project through the substrate formats."
Self-capacitive is a single trace to a solid "tap, touch area."
"You're affecting the capacitive field itself and setting up the signal to noise ratios in the design limits or parameters of the circuitry itself," Baker said.
The circuitry can be integrated onto glass, amongst other substrates.
"You have to be very cognizant of the substrate," Baker said. "You don't want any air gap between the material and the circuit itself because it will cut back the sensitivity of the switch."
Some interconnector types include springs, solder tabs, conductive foams, conductive adhesives and spring pins.
For backlit touch surfaces, there are three inks that can be used: clear polymer-based, light transmissive and carbons.
"This technology is definitely in demand," Baker said.
Image via Pixabay