PolyIC Focuses on Applications at LOPEC 2014

The sixth LOPEC will take place in Munich during the last week of May. Gold sponsor PolyIC will focus on industries and potential fields of application; its exhibition stand will be subdivided into the fields of household appliances, mobile and 3C (computer, communication, consumer), automotive and packaging technology.

In the field of household appliances/white goods, PolyIC focus in particular on various innovative control concepts realized with PolyTC touch technology. For the first time, PolyIC will present metallic decorative surfaces in connection with touch sensors. The combination of metallic decorative films by Leonhard Kurz and the transparent and conductive PolyTC films allows realizing a so-called “dead front” appearance with a disappearing effect which is characterized by showing different display elements on the user interface only after they have been activated. These design and functional elements are invisible when deactivated.

In the field of mobile and 3C (computer, communication, consumer), PolyIC will present various capacitive touch sensors by PolyIC. The highly conducting metal structures (metal mesh) of the PolyTC films provide the sensors with short signal reaction times, high signal quality and stability. The individual layout allows them to be tailored to the customer’s requirements and thus produced in various sizes and with various characteristics. The presentation includes functional exhibits, such as 5” single layer touch screens, which are applied in an inmold procedure, as well as capacitive PolyTC sensors in smartphones and tablets.

The automotive industry realizes more and more applications using touch technology. The advantages are clear: greater freedom of design, sealed user interfaces, low component depth and low weight. The transparent PolyTC touch films are particularly suited for applications in cars since they are characterized by high flexibility and thus imitate the common shapes of car interiors and can be integrated easily. The high transparency of the PolyTC touch films allows the use of backlit key elements or the installation in front of displays. At LOPEC, PolyIC will present a component with curved surface which includes function and decoration and is installed in a center console demonstrator.

In the field of packaging technology, various options of integrating active and interactive functions and thus “intelligent” packaging will be presented. Many producers of brand products are looking for new ways of improving their customers’ shopping experience also by means of innovative packaging and thus providing them with added value. For example, temperature sensors can improve product safety. With its PolyLogo product line, PolyIC develops interactive systems produced roll-to-roll. These systems combine various components which are integrated on a thin film carrier. One example is interactive diodes supplied with energy via radiowaves.

With the topics demonstrated at the booth, PolyIC shows that printed functional solutions are already in use in customer projects for various industries and are thus ready for many more applications.