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NKK Switches Announces Resistive Touch Screen User Interfaces

FT Series Analog and Digital Touch Screens Offer Low Power and Customization Options for Operator Interface and Panel Design

NKK Switches, the world's leading designer and manufacturer of innovative electromechanical switches, today announced its new FT Series of resistive touch screen user interface devices. With more than a decade of experience in designing and manufacturing touch screens, NKK has engineered the highly durable FT Series to be ideal for critical applications in audio/broadcast, industrial control, medical equipment and military use.

FT Series touch screens are available in resistive 5-Wire, resistive 4-Wire and digital versions. These devices are available through NKK's authorized distributors throughout North America.

Resistive touch screens allow for choice of user input via finger, gloved finger or stylus. This is in contrast to capacitive touch screens where the only reliable input is via a non-gloved finger. Resistive sensing is the technology of choice for critical applications.

With superior linearity made possible through strict control during the manufacturing process and a range of customization options, FT Series touch screens provide engineers with the flexibility to handle many applications. Customization options include screen size, film choice, glass thickness, material combination, tail type and location, number of keys (on digital models) and integration of monitors and touch screens together.

Five-wire models are the ideal choice for larger screens used on larger equipment. For portable applications and mobile devices, NKK has taken the long screen life of 5-Wire technology and the lower power consumption of 4-Wire technology and combined it into its latest enhanced 4-Wire designs. Engineers now get the best of both worlds with long screen life and low power consumption.

All models in the FT Series are toughened with films and coatings to avoid scratching and environmental deterioration. Film surface comes standard with non-glare and hard coated treatment for ease of use and maintenance of surface integrity. An optional film which eliminates fingerprints is also available.

Tails use a conductive adhesive and connectors are designed to ensure reliability. Visual artifacts are eliminated via anti-Newton ring film. Screens are also resistant to static electricity and noise pollution. They feature high touch point density, translating to more precision, the reduction of false actuations and quicker response times. Temperature fluctuations do not affect the drift-free operation.

Unique among touch screens in the market today is NKK's digital FT Series touch screen. This model is designed to replace a pushbutton panel or keypad when more complex tasks such as drawing are not required. The digital FT Series device is easy to control and provides a quick and easy method for adding a touch screen to nearly any operator interface.

Touch screen controller boards and drivers for these devices are available from NKK for USB and RS232C communication requirements. NKK touch screens are compatible with Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and several legacy Windows operating systems.

IC chips are offered for the 5-Wire and 4-Wire touch screens for engineers who prefer to design their own controller boards. These chips provide high speed and accuracy. Receptacle connectors can be ordered separately.

A leading designer and producer of electromechanical switches, NKK Switches offers one of the industry's most extensive selections of illuminated, process sealed, miniature, specialty, surface mount and programmable switches. NKK manufactures more than 3.5 million toggle, rocker, pushbutton, slide, rotary, DIP rotary, keypad and keylock switches, each of which can be used as the foundation of a customized design. All switches are designed and manufactured to provide the quality and dependability that has made NKK the benchmark for reliability for over half a century.

NKK continues to lead the industry in responding to the needs of the marketplace with innovation, high reliability, customization and a commitment to excellence. The company provides a full suite of customization solutions that include: design, programming, printing, and support. Downloadable 3D CAD models of the company's switches are available, allowing design engineers to quickly integrate complex models into their designs at no charge. NKK maintains a complete network of qualified representatives and distributors through the United States, Canada, Central and South America, Europe and Asia.

Engineers who design the human-machine interface for their products rely on the broad product line, specialized design expertise and customer support of NKK Switches. For more information, contact NKK Switches, 7850 E. Gelding Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85260. Phone: (480) 991-0942. Fax: (480) 998-1435. Visit the NKK Web site at www.nkkswitches.com.