American Industrial Systems – Marine Rugged Display Computer User Guide
Page 13
6.0 Touch Screen Solution
6.1 Introduction to Five-Wire Resistive Touch Screen
The five-wire resistive touchscreens use a glass panel with a uniform resistive coating. A thick polyester
coversheet is tightly suspended over the top of the glass, separated by small, transparent insulating dots.
The coversheet has a hard, durable coating on the outer side and a conductive coating on the inner side.
When the screen is touched, the conductive coating makes electrical contact with the coating on the glass.
The voltages produced are the analog representation of the position touched. The controller digitizes these
voltages and transmits them to the computer for processing. The five-wire technology utilizes the bottom
substrate for both X and Y-axis measurements. The flexible coversheet acts only as a voltage-measuring
probe. This means the touchscreen will continue working properly even with non-uniformity in the cover
sheet's conductive coating. The result is an accurate, durable and reliable touchscreen that offers drift free
operation. The touchscreens are sealed against contamination and moisture. The coversheet is sealed to
the glass substrate with an industrial grade caulk. This prevents wicking of fluid between the coversheet
and glass. Also, the touchscreens are not air vented, thereby preventing fluid ingress through an air vent.
Brief Specifications:
