Apr 16 2014
New 3D formed In-Molded transparent touch technology from Canatu offers increased design possibilities for creative industrial designers in the consumer electronics and automotive industries.
During FineTech Japan, 16th – 18th April 2014, Canatu will demonstrate a fully functional transparent 3D formed touch device using industry standard forming and injection molding processes. The thermoformable, transparent and conductive CNB™ touch sensors used in Canatu’s demonstrator will illustrate the adaptability of CNB™ touch sensors in any 3D shapes and touch applications that require high bending angles, sharp edges and deep stretch.
Flexible and 3D shaped touch displays and surfaces are expected to become mainstream within the next 2-5 years. This trend is driving the need for high quality touch sensors that can be freely bent, formed, twisted and rolled.
Transparent and conductive CNB™ touch sensors.
Typical applications for CNB™ touch sensors include 3D formed capacitive touch surfaces in smart watches, white goods control panels, automobile center consoles and dashboards, connected user interface devices, and mobile phones.
“CNB™ sensors combine high performance and extreme formability with a standardized industrial process. This enables a simple manufacturing process and a new paradigm with true 3D touch surfaces. Essentially, this new genre of touch devices will change the face of consumer electronics,” says Erkki Soininen, Vice President Marketing and Sales at Canatu.
CNB™ touch sensors are stretchable up to 100% and can be easily shaped or molded using standard industrial In-Mold processes such as Film Insert Molding (FIM). This means that CNB™ touch sensors can be produced in almost any shape, from smooth spherical domes to sharp edged casings with deep indentations, while maintaining the superior optical performance required for touch screen displays.
About Canatu
Canatu is a leading developer and manufacturer of transparent conductive films and touch sensors for an entirely new class of touch applications. Canatu’s transparent conductive films and touch sensors are based on a new type of carbon nanomaterial (Carbon NanoBud®), and a new, single-step manufacturing process combining aerosol synthesis of CNB material and Roll-to-Roll deposition by Direct Dry Printing®. Canatu offers consumer electronics companies increasing design freedom with its innovative patents.
Canatu’s patented innovations have the potential to revolutionize industries by enabling new kinds of printed flexible, foldable and 3D shaped electronics products that also reduce cost and environmental impact.