Jun 02, 2015
Development of a copper touch panel module with ultra-narrow bezel
- Narrower bezel and reduced weight enabled by adopting copper wiring and a high-rigidity plastic cover -
- Narrower bezel and reduced weight enabled by adopting copper wiring and a high-rigidity plastic cover -
Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. (hereafter Toppan Printing; Head office: Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo; President & Representative Director: Shingo Kaneko) has developed a copper touch panel module with which the use of copper wiring and a high-rigidity plastic cover resistant to bending and impacts has enabled a significant decrease in weight and an ultra-narrow bezel. This means that the product can be smaller, maintaining the same screen size while enhancing the possibilities for innovative design. Sample shipments will begin in mid-July 2015, predominantly targeting use in tablets and notebook PCs.
With this product, the adoption of low-resistance copper for the touch sensor film electrode material has made single routing possible and drastically reduced the number of wires required. Toppan’s cutting-edge etching technologies have also enabled a finer wiring pitch.
In addition, cover glass has been replaced with a high-rigidity plastic cover, which is resistant to bending and impacts, enabling a weight reduction of about 40% when compared to glass of the same size (area, thickness).
During SID Display Week 2015 (May 31 to June 5), this product will be exhibited and demonstrated from June 2 to 4 at the Toppan Printing and Ortus Technology booth (#1546) at the San Jose Convention Center, California, USA.
Copper touch panel module with ultra-narrow bezel (left) and the conventional product (right)
-Background
There is always demand for smaller and lighter tablets and notebook PCs. ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) is used as the electrode material for the cover glass in the touch panels of the majority of such devices, but its high resistance means that lead wiring is required on both sides, and it has therefore been difficult to make the bezel narrower.
To address this issue, Toppan Printing utilizes copper, which has low resistance. This has made single routing possible, significantly reducing the number of wires, and enabled a copper touch panel with an ultra-narrow bezel to be developed by employing cutting-edge etching techniques. The narrower bezel contributes to making the product casing more compact, and a drastic weight reduction is also achieved by using a high-rigidity plastic cover.
As exterior parts and the touch panel module can be integrated into a single body in any form due to the use of the in-mold method, high-quality design is possible, especially for tablets and notebook PCs.
-Features of the copper touch panel with ultra-narrow bezel
Reduction of casing size enabled by ultra-narrow bezel
Single routing is achieved and the number of wires has been reduced significantly by using copper, which has low electrical resistance, as the electrode material. A finer wiring pitch has enabled the development of an unprecedentedly narrow bezel and contributed to a reduction in the size of the product casing. A minimum bezel width of approximately 3.4 mm is possible for mid-scale models of more than 10 inches.
Weight reduction made possible by high-rigidity plastic cover
The use of a plastic cover with high rigidity enables a weight reduction of approximately 40% compared to glass of the same size (area, thickness). Safety is also ensured by laminating the plastic cover and copper touch sensor film together to make the cover shatterproof.
Exterior parts and touch panel module integrated into a single body using in-mold forming method.
In addition to the reductions in size and weight, exterior parts and the touch panel module can be integrated into a single body, something made possible with technical assistance from Wonder Future Corporation (Head office: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture; President & Representative Director: Koki Fukuda). This feature enables innovative design.
Sectional view of the product
-Specifications of copper touch panel module with ultra-narrow bezel
Touch panel type: Projected capacitiveDimensions*1: 10.1 inches
Minimum bezel width*2: Approximately 3.4 mm
Structure: High-rigidity plastic cover (with copper touch sensor film) + IC controller
* Please consult Toppan Printing for other sizes. Maximum of 14 inches is possible.
* Please consult Toppan Printing regarding models for use with a stylus and their specifications.
-Future developments
Toppan Printing will undertake sample shipments in mid-July 2015, targeting sales of 2 billion yen for FY2016 for modules for tablets and personal computers. The company will continue to develop touch panel modules with higher performance and quality and bolster its touch panel businesses.
*1 Screen size of prototype
*2 Value for total of width of bezel printing and exterior parts at narrowest part of prototype
*Company, product, and service names mentioned in this news release are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
*Information in this news release is current on the date of its publication and is subject to change without notice.