Fluid asset management firm taps Zytronic touch sensor for industrial interface

Banlaw, an Australia based supplier of off-road liquid transfer, measurement and control solutions, deployed the Zytronic touch sensor and serial touch controller for a user interface that can operate in harsh industrial work environments such as mines and quarries, according to a press release. Banlaw wanted a touchscreen that can work with gloved hands and be readable in direct sunlight and at night.

The Banlaw Xpresss field controller is used to secure fuel inventory monitoring and control, including user and equipment identification, pump control, ball valve control and flow metering for up to four refuelling nozzles.

Zytronic designed a printed glass, 7-inch projected capacitive touch sensor incorporating UV and IR filters to aid system thermal management and protect the display from exposure to sunlight.

In addition to the dynamically changeable touchscreen, a fixed keypad was also required to allow frequently used information such as driver secure PIN codes, truck mileage or odometer readings to be quickly entered into the Banlaw Xpress Controller.

Working with Banlaw and JEA Technologies Pty. Ltd., an Australia based electronics peripherals specialist, Zytronic designed the touchscreen from a larger piece of glass and then printed the required viewable area together with «hard coded» capacitive keys and an RFID reading point beneath a 10.2-inch touch active zone.

In addition, Zytronic modified its standard serial controller to incorporate both dynamic touch and fixed keys managed through the same device to reduce the complexity of integrating multiple components and the size of the high brightness industrial-grade display required.

Source: Kiosk Marketplace