An experienced silicone product manufacturer General Silicones (GS) shares its Compo-SiL® technology successfully used by Taiwan touch switch solution provider COCHIEF to create new and innovative solutions for interfaces requiring touch sensor controls.
With the ongoing AI and IoT revolution, the integration of human-machine interfaces is bound to go beyond consumer electronic products and will be in products and devices as various as automotive dashboards to provide new means of interaction and control.
IMPROVED HAPTIC SENSATION ALLOWS FOR BETTER SWITCH CONTROL
Current solutions either use glass surfaces or acrylic materials as surface material. Both materials give uses a hard and dry tactile feedback. Silicone rubber, on the other hand, provides a superior haptic feel.
The patented Compo-SiL® technology of General Silicones provides COCHIEF several advantages that previously used materials for its touch sensors can’t deliver. General Silicones can modify the surface properties of silicone rubber.
The material has a soft touch and feel, can provide different friction levels, and embossments can mimic surface patterns of other materials such as leather. Combined with the ability to make the silicone semi-transparent and the use of standard adhesion procedures, the Compo-SiL® silicone rubber opens new pathways for improved human-machine interaction.
EASY TOUCH CONTROL OF BUTTONS AND SLIDERS
Silicone rubber is an ideal material for adding futuristic 21st-century style HMI interaction to devices and surfaces. The unique patented PU modified layer of Compo-SiL® allows for digital printing of the silicone rubber to give the illusion of surface structures like wood or metal and to indicate the location of buttons and sliding switches.
The modified PU layer allows the Compo-SiL® silicone composite film to be firmly bonded to the capacitive touch panel with general adhesives.
Since the initial concepts for Compo-SiL® by the GS R&D team, the potential of industries and applications that can take advantage of this innovation was enormous.
Michael Lin, CEO of GS, said:” I’m thrilled to see how COCHIEF can bring all the benefits that silicone rubber provides to create advanced human-machine interfaces. We are just starting to understand what potential our cooperation can deliver to the many industries requiring HMI”.
The following video demonstrates the surface effect of the Compo-SiL® silicone composite film that was printed with a simulated pattern on the back PU modified layer and then attached to the capacitive touch panel designed by COCHIEF.
Chris Lin, CEO of COCHIEF, said, “I was surprised to see how Compo-SiL® can bring a new experience to our touch panel products. We can now provide our customers more freedom with product design and a nice leather touch feeling. As the material is eco-friendly as well, I foresee excellent development opportunities.”
Companies interested in knowing more about the solutions COCHIEF provides can visit their website at www.cochief.com/en/index.html
Sourcing managers and manufacturers interested in more information on Compo-SiL® can contact General Silicones at compo-sil@gsweb.com.tw for more details or visit www.compo-sil.com.
