How to make a custom e-paper touch screen?

Capacitive touch screen :

• principle : Capacitive touch screens use the conductivity of the human body to detect touch location. The screen is covered with a transparent electrode layer, and when a finger touches the screen, it changes the electric field on the surface of the screen, thereby locating the touch point.
• advantage : Capacitive touch screen supports multi-touch, is more responsive and has better durability.
• shortcoming : Usually can only be operated with fingers, the cost is high, and it is sensitive to environmental static electricity.

Touch screen applications in electronic paper displays

In electronic paper displays, touch screen technology is widely used in e-book readers, electronic notebooks and other low-power devices. The addition of touch screens enables these devices to realize functions such as page turning, annotation, and handwriting input, greatly improving the user experience.

Challenges of touch screen technology

Light transmittance: Due to the characteristics of electronic paper, the touch screen layer must have a high light transmittance so as not to affect the contrast and clarity of the screen.
Power consumption: E-paper displays are often used in low-power devices, so the touchscreen's power consumption needs to be as low as possible to extend battery life.
Response speed: The refresh rate of e-paper displays is low, so the response speed of touch operations also needs to be optimized to avoid a sense of delay.

Here are some key points you need to know

1. Size

By default it is slightly smaller than the outer dimensions of the e-paper display.

2. Thickness

Typical thickness: 0.25mm (single layer), 0.35mm (double layer).

3. Anti-glare film

With cover glass, no anti-glare film required.

Without cover glass, adding anti-glare film is usually recommended.

4. Drivers

Under 4.2 inches: FT6336

5.83 inches and above: FT5436 or GT911

Customer Specified: Evaluated according to customer requirements.

5. Gesture touch screen

Not supported by default (customizable).

6.FPC length

FPC PIN definition:

The default is 6 pins 1-GND, 2-INT, 3-RST, 4-VCC, 5-SCL, 6-SDA

Customer Specified: Designed according to customer requirements.

FPC length and direction:

Not specified by the customer: default matches the standard specification.

Customer Specified: Designed according to customer requirements.

7. Fitting method

Full bonding: Optical OCA glue is used for bonding, with a minimum OCA thickness of 0.175mm.

Boundary binding: Not recommended.

5-step development process

1. Definition

First, all stakeholders need to agree on the what, where, why and how. Dalian Jiaxian likes to start with an initial questionnaire that includes the following:

• What problem are you trying to solve?
• How does this product solve this problem?
• What products, applications and timelines are you developing?
• Why are certain requirements (size, shape, etc.) needed?

2. Concept

In this phase, we build examples according to the tool order to prove the correctness of the concept.

3. Design

Once the initial quote and proof of concept are approved, we provide a final formal quote for the project and make a production order for the required materials. The custom touchscreen and/or display assembly is now ready for full design and engineering.

4. Verification

You as the customer validate the validity of the custom design and all parties agree to move on to the larger production phase.

5. Production

From short-run production of parts to final mass production, Dalian Jiaxian prepares the necessary quantities for product launch.