HAZARDOUS AREA EQUIPMENT FEATURE


PCT touch sensors integrated into explosion-proof HMI solution


sensing technique induces a known frequency (around 1MHz) within these capacitors, which in turn is altered by a user’s body capacitance when their finger comes in proximity with that part of the touchscreen’s surface. Through sophisticated algorithms


APC Technology utilises Zytronic’s ZyBrid touch sensors to provide high reliability and levels of display clarity, with resistance to a wide range of contaminants in weather conditions


PCT, The proprietary Projected Capacitive Technology, developed by Zytronic, has the ability to be employed in the most uncompromising of environments. Among recent successes was the inclusion of the company’s Zytouch and Zybrid products in the new range of explosion-proof terminals by mission critical process controls manufacturer, SmartEX


E


nabling the collection and analysis of data by operatives on drilling rigs,


these terminals depend upon a rugged human-machine interface (HMI) that is easy to use, so that vital information can be rapidly viewed, understood and acted upon. This is combined with a high degree of isolation, so that the electrical hardware inside the terminals does not come into contact with the potentially combustible gases and liquids outside, thereby putting lives at risk. In addition, due to the incredibly tough working environment in which the terminals are deployed, it is essential that the chosen touch technology is capable of faultless outdoor operation. It must also be able to withstand exposure to corrosive salt water and oil, and respond to the touches of users wearing heavy work gloves. Touchscreen solutions based on conventional projective capacitance


(p-cap) methods would be incapable of coping with such a demanding set of criteria, as they lack the sensitivity to determine touch events through more than one or 2mm of front glass. However, Zytronic’s PCT touch sensor products are particularly suited to applications of this kind, due to the company’s construction and sensing method. The near invisible XY matrix of highly conductive capacitors that make up PCT sensors, are a mere 10μm in diameter. Zytronic’s proprietary self-capacitive touch


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embedded within the connected touch controller’s firmware, the position of peak frequency change is interpolated. This method of touch detection is so sensitive that the PCT sensor matrix may be embedded within a laminated, thick protective overlay. The firmware may also be easily tuned by the user to adjust touch sensitivity and threshold detection levels, so that the screen will respond to the lightest of touches or full finger pressure, depending on application requirements. It can also support heavily gloved hand operation, making it highly optimised for outdoor and industrial applications. Customised 15-inch and 19-inch


versions of the highly rugged PCT touch sensors have been integrated into the SmartEX terminals, along with ZXY100 high performance touch controllers, and they are already being deployed on oil rigs around the globe. Using thermally toughened glass, with thicknesses of up to 23mm, these touch interactive terminals are capable of coping with the rigours of hazardous environments. “Maintaining touch performance


through such thick protective overlays would be way beyond the scope of competing p-cap solutions,” Ian Crosby, sales and marketing director at Zytronic, explains. “This meant the PCT stood out as the only way to bring the benefits of touch enabled interaction to this challenging application. Our collaboration with SmartEX represents another important example of how


Zytronic’s unique touch technology, is


aiding designers of human-machine interfaces deploy touchscreens in the most challenging surroundings.”


Zytronic T: 0191 414 5511 www.zytronic.co.uk


ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING | JUNE 2017 17

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