Designing an impact resistance touch screen for industrial applications requires careful attention to durability and reliability. Touch screens used in harsh environments such as manufacturing floors, outdoor kiosks, or transportation terminals must withstand repeated mechanical impacts, vibrations, and even accidental drops. This article covers the main factors affecting the performance of custom touch screens, with a focus on meeting protection levels such as IK10 glass. These insights also apply to industrial displays targeting standards like the IK09 display rating, helping engineers and designers develop solutions that are both rugged and user-friendly.
1. Cover Glass Thickness for Impact Resistance
The thickness of the cover glass plays a key role in impact protection. Generally, thicker glass can better absorb shocks and reduce the risk of cracks or shattering when subjected to force. However, increasing the glass thickness is not without trade-offs. Excessively thick glass can lead to reduced touch sensitivity, increased weight, and potential issues with optical clarity such as glare or color distortion.
In custom touch screens, finding the optimal balance is essential. For applications requiring IK10 glass level protection, manufacturers often use cover glass thickness ranging from 1.8mm up to 3.0mm, depending on the display size and intended use environment. The chosen thickness needs to provide adequate protection without compromising the interactive experience.
Moreover, cover glass thickness works in conjunction with other design factors—such as bonding technology and housing support—to achieve the desired impact resistance touch screen rating.
2. Glass Material Selection for Industrial Displays
The glass material affects both strength and durability in industrial displays. Tempered glass, often referred to as IK10 glass due to its association with the IK10 impact rating, is widely used because of its excellent mechanical properties and safety features. Tempered glass undergoes a heat treatment process that increases surface compression, making it much stronger than standard glass.
Chemically strengthened glass is another option that improves surface hardness and scratch resistance through ion exchange. This type of glass can be thinner than tempered glass while offering similar strength, which benefits devices requiring lightweight and thin profiles.
Polycarbonate is a plastic alternative favored in some custom touch screens, especially when shatter resistance is a priority. Although polycarbonate offers high impact resistance, it is prone to scratches and usually requires additional coatings for protection. Its optical properties also differ slightly from glass, which can affect display clarity.
Choosing the right glass or cover material helps ensure the device can achieve IK ratings such as the IK09 display or the more rigorous IK10 glass. Material choice should also consider environmental factors like UV exposure, temperature extremes, and chemical contact, especially for outdoor industrial displays.
3. Optical Bonding vs Air Bonding
The bonding method between the cover glass and the display panel greatly influences the overall strength and durability of an impact resistance touch screen.
uses a clear adhesive to fill the space between the glass and display, eliminating air gaps. This improves mechanical strength by distributing impact forces evenly across the surface. Additionally, optical bonding enhances display readability by reducing internal reflections and increasing contrast, which is especially beneficial in outdoor or bright environments.
In contrast, air bonding leaves a gap filled with air between the cover glass and display. While this method is more cost-effective, it introduces a weak point where impacts can cause the glass to flex independently, increasing the risk of damage. Air bonding also tends to allow dust or moisture ingress over time, potentially affecting display performance.
For applications aiming to meet IK10 glass standards or higher impact resistance, optical bonding is often the preferred choice despite its higher production cost. The improved durability and optical benefits typically outweigh the initial investment, especially for rugged industrial displays deployed in challenging environments.
4. Mounting and Structural Support
The housing and mechanical support structure of the device are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the glass and achieving target impact resistance levels.
A well-designed enclosure provides solid mechanical support along the edges of the cover glass, where impacts often occur. Edge protection—such as reinforced frames or rubber gaskets—helps absorb shocks and prevents stress concentration that can cause cracks.
The back panel or internal frame must also be sturdy enough to prevent flexing of the entire assembly. Without sufficient backing, even the toughest IK10 glass can fail under pressure, as the lack of support causes bending and uneven force distribution.
For many custom touch screens and industrial displays, manufacturers use metal or reinforced plastic housings designed specifically to meet or exceed IK standards like IK09 display or IK10 glass ratings. Careful integration of mechanical and material design ensures the device withstands real-world impacts and vibrations.
5. Touch Technology and Display Size
The type of touch sensor and the display size also impact the durability and ability to meet impact ratings.
Glass+Glass (G+G) touch sensors consist of a glass sensor layer laminated to the cover glass, creating a rigid and durable structure. This setup generally provides better mechanical strength than Glass+Film (G+F) sensors, which use a flexible film layer prone to damage.
Larger displays inherently face more mechanical challenges. The center area of a big screen is more vulnerable to impacts because it is farther from the reinforced edges. Therefore, larger screens require stronger structural reinforcements or thicker glass to achieve the same level of impact resistance as smaller displays.
In practical terms, meeting the IK09 display or IK10 glass rating with a large-format custom touch screen often demands advanced engineering to balance durability, optical clarity, and touch sensitivity.
Conclusion
Creating a reliable impact resistance touch screen demands a comprehensive approach that considers cover glass thickness, material selection, bonding method, mechanical housing design, and touch technology. Each factor plays a vital role in meeting stringent standards such as IK09 display and IK10 glass ratings.
Whether you are designing rugged custom touch screens for industrial automation, outdoor kiosks, or transportation systems, understanding these factors ensures your product will withstand the demands of real-world use. For tailored engineering support and solutions certified to meet high impact resistance standards, our experienced team is ready to assist you.
