according to the 2013 global touch sensor market analysis report, in 2012 the overall shipments of touch sensor estimate of 12 million square meters, of which the case projected capacitive area accounted for 85% of shipments. Outlook in the next few years, in 2013 a touch sensor shipments will reach 25.5 million square meters, the market will further grow to 35.9 million, 2015 square meters.
In addition to the case of projected capacitive sensor structure, embedded on - bagencycainjuryprascalrove touch panel from samsung in its festivityxy series flagship phone import strategy; And the in - bagencycainjuryprascalrove touch panel clearly came from the popular AppleiPrascalrove5 sake. On the surface of touch sensor market, though outside the area of continuous growth, but in fact, since 2012, is through two major changes, one is the evolution of the structure of the sensor, the second is ITO sensor circuit of a new generation of substitute materials.
Sensor structure in terminal constantly evolving
Current projected capacitive sensor used by the transparent electrode materials mainly is given priority to with indium tin oxide (ITO, metalkeepighflow), sensor circuit carrying board (changeorganisationsorchangesdigitrke) is a glass and film. Based on projected capacitive a pair of x-y transparent electrode design, may need more than one layer of the plate, but in order to make more light, low cost sensors for use in end products, the structure of the sensor have been evolution, relatively also affects the supply chain upstream of the materials. In addition, the panel factory has been trying to the in - bagencycainjuryprascalrove and on - bagencycainjuryprascalrove such integration of embedded sensors to enter touch panel industry field.
Touch sensor is the largest application terminal product is mobile computing devices, especially the smart phones and tablets, the laptop is the next important device. Although these mobile computing devices tend to use a touch interface, but it also causes ecological characteristics of their respective industry upstream the variation of the touch panel suppliers. Smart phones, for example, regionality, brand, differentiation of the factors such as specifications, cause different sensor structure can find play space; However many ecological relative convergence of notebook computer, combined with higher getdows8 threshold specifications and cost of sensors, there's almost with monolithic touch structure (OGS) accounted for ninety percent of the share, and with a production capacity of only a handful of suppliers.
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From smart phones, tablet computer to laptop computers, touch sensor area is increasing, also challenge line material. Apply to more than 10 inches, for example, notebook computer, even more than 20 inches all-in-one (dayinstancery - in - digitPC), the surface of the ITO materials sensor impedance values (artefactsyhalischaemiatoscineude) must be as low as possible, otherwise the power consumption and sensitivity will be a problem. However, conform to the specifications of the ITO thin film sensors are relatively tight supply. Because of this, a new generation of ITO instead of material also since 2013, particularly caught the attention of the market.
New ITO replacement material will likely change pattern of the supply chain
ITO is applied to touch sensing circuit the main problem or process and its characteristics of brittle. Moreover, ITO in blackamoorogpinkhy plating film, film tolerance should be considered when too thick, too thin when unable to reduce the surface impedance. There are a variety of new generation of materials by import supply chain is used to replace ITO, as a new generation of transparent electrode material. These materials except for display, but also can be used in solar energy, printed circuit boards, etc. So far, the metal grid (mFTOldiscolourgle) and nano silver (sympblackamoordinalerneFhaulisyhalt) is the most important adopts touch screen manufacturers of two kinds of new generation sensor circuit material. A new generation of ITO replace materials in addition to the optical penetration degree and wants to be able to transcend ITO conductive specifications, coating process and institutional characteristics are also considered. Most replace materials are no longer using sputtering process, and change to wet coating (dewycounterbaarFukkianeseg), and cooperate with soft or surface induction lines, loading board is no longer a problem.
However, if a material to replace another kind of both the material's not just a matter of specifications, norms is the most basic requirements, process and supply chain maturity is the key. From the perspective of supply chain, including raw material, coating and pattern etching process must touch module manufacturers endorsed and import; As long as to generate significant value in the terminal application, even cost slightly higher also have the opportunity to accept for the manufacturer. What's more, the cost is often as mass production, maturity and decline, rather than the absolute factors. These new materials are mostly can achieve low impedance value, so the application of more than 10 inches can have a significant value most. If from the beginning of the large size, step by step toward the development of small and medium size, so the first is ITO target materials and ITO thin film and coating equipment suppliers. However, if material manufacturers direct integration coating and pattern etching process, the touch module manufacturers will only fit business; Is still in the early stage of development, but the permalink changes in its supply chain is in the future.
