This approach provides a customised solution with hybrid features that can withstand common industrial challenges like dust, dirt, and corrosive substances.
This hybrid touch interface is especially advantageous in scenarios where replacing input devices frequently is impractical and expensive. For example, silicone keyboards, though initially effective with their sealed designs, lack long-term durability; they can degrade with use, and their markings often wear away.
Even more durable options, like stainless-steel keyboards, can be vulnerable to damage over time. By contrast, a hybrid touch interface with integrated keyboard and mousepad functionality eliminates these issues. The absence of moving parts makes the solution resilient to liquid spills and dirt, while its smooth surface allows for easy cleaning and disinfection.
Zytronic’s hybrid touch interface solutions are driven by a single PCAP sensor and the proprietary ZXY500 PCAP controller, which supports rapid multi-touch detection. The shape, colour, and layout of the glass sensor can be customised to meet specific needs. The controller allows various software systems to operate behind the interface, with the flexibility to manage each hybrid control element individually alongside the touchscreen. It also enables connectivity with remote peripheral equipment, offering options like an NFC card reader for secure access and a wireless charging area for mobile devices.
Additional features such as machined dimples, sliders, and dials can be integrated into the glass surface, either within the touchscreen area or adjacent to it. These tactile elements guide users during interaction, enhancing usability. Furthermore, an IP67-rated mechanical emergency stop button or joystick can be seamlessly embedded into the sensor’s surface, offering physical feedback and using the PCAP sensor’s built-in power and data connections.
For example, control panels on a ship’s bridge must be highly resistant to water and corrosion. A Zytronic hybrid touch interface, featuring sealed virtual buttons and potentially machined grooves and dimples, provides an ideal solution, delivering both functionality and a sleek design that suits maritime environments.
Zytronic’s hybrid touch control interfaces are more than just a showcase of its technology—they are practical solutions designed for environments that demand exceptional durability, even when users are wearing gloves. These hybrid designs offer a valuable option for businesses contending with harsh conditions, combining robust sealing against the elements with the customisation capabilities of the ZXY500 PCAP controller, making them indispensable in industrial applications where reliability is essential.
