Capacitive might rank as the most common touchscreen technology — accounting for over nine in 10 touchscreen devices shipped globally — but you shouldn’t discount the performance of resistive touchscreens. Consisting of two or more layers made of an electrically resistive material, they offer a superior level of versatility when compared to other types of touchscreen devices. As a result, resistive touchscreens are used in a wide range of applications, some of which include medical devices, human machine interfaces (HMIs), manufacturing control systems, tablet computers, smart appliances and more.
Low Cost
One of the reasons why resistive touchscreen devices are so versatile is because they tend to cost less than other types of touchscreen devices. Depending on the hardware specifications, for instance, a resistive touchscreen device may cost 10% to 40% less than a capacitive touchscreen device. For businesses looking to purchase a bulk supply of touchscreen devices, choosing resistive may yield enormous cost-savings benefits. Their low cost, however, is just one of several reasons why resistive touchscreens are so versatile.
Moisture Resistance
Moisture and electronics are two things that don’t go together. When moisture enters an electronic device, it may cause a short circuit. The good news is that resistive touchscreen devices are resistant to moisture as well as other liquids. They are designed with a sealed top layer, meaning there’s little or no risk of moisture entering a resistive touchscreen device and, therefore, damaging its circuitry. With their moisture-resistant properties, resistive touchscreens can be used in harsh environments, including the outdoors.
Dust and Debris Resistance
In addition to moisture, resistive touchscreen devices are resistant to dust and debris. Like moisture, dust and debris can damage the internal circuitry of a touchscreen device. If dust and debris makes its way inside a touchscreen device, it may block the flow of electricity or cause the device to overheat. Because they feature a sealed design, though, resistive touchscreen devices are resistant to the intrusion of dust and debris.
Works With Gloves
You can control resistive touchscreen devices while wearing gloves — something that’s not possible with many other types of touchscreen devices. Countless professionals wear gloves during their regular working hours. Medical professionals, for instance, often wear surgical gloves, whereas manufacturing workers may wear regular cloth gloves. Regardless, resistive touchscreen devices work with gloves. Capacitive touchscreen devices don’t support the use of gloves, making them a little less versatile than their resistive counterparts.
