ITW ActiveTouch™ Technology

ITW ActiveTouch™ patented touch-sensitive technology brings a whole new level of durability to switches, sensors and control systems. Whether you define durability as long life, resistance to temperature and environment, resistance to physical damage or just a robust design, this technology excels at each of these criteria. 

Imagine switches with no moving parts and virtually unlimited lifespan. Imagine seamless control panels where water or chemical intrusion is impossible. Imagine switches made from thick stainless steel – impervious to even a hammer blow. Imagine sensors integrated with intelligence to report diagnostic information or adapt to the surrounding environment to ensure uninterrupted operation. All of these are possible and more. Existing touch-sensitive technologies are fragile, limiting the scope of their uses and applications. With ITW ActiveTouch™ products you can have the advantages of touch-sensitive technology without sacrificing durability.

How does it work?

The basic principle is that a material capable of supporting shear and torsional mechanical waves at ultrasonic frequencies can have those waves trapped or localised by contouring its surface. These trapped energy regions are set into motion with transducers and act as high quality resonators. Appropriately contouring the surface of the switch plate creates raised regions or Resonant Cavities that trap ultrasonic energy in a defined area or column of the material.

When an ultrasonic transducer is applied it induces a wave motion which is contained within the defined column. This motion has a consistent decay or ‘ring down’ time just like you would experience by ringing a bell. Applying a finger to the front surface of the resonant cavity dampens the vibration, reducing the ‘ring down’ time and this change is detected by an inexpensive microcontroller which provides the ideal interface for the associated electronic systems.

So, what are the advantages ?

All ActiveTouch™ applications:

• Work with metal, glass, stone, granite and certain plastics
• Are impervious to water – including direct exposure to pressurised water and can even work underwater
• Can be operated with gloved or protected hands
• Are vandal and explosion proof
• Can withstand shock and vibration – even major impact from a hammer
• Can operate in extended temperatures
• Are not affected by sand or dust
• Can be used with overlays and LED options
• Are unaffected by and are not a source of electromagnetic radiation and can tolerate 25kV ESD
• Offer a built-in diagnostic mode and fault sensing

What products are available today?

Standard products are available including:

• ActiveTouch™ keypads

• 16 key (4x4)
• Raised profile
• Box or panel mount
• Matrix or Serial output

But, the benefits of ActiveTouch™ are not limited by the available standard products. The technology and capability can be as wide as your creative imagination allows.

The technology can work with material thicknesses from wafer thin up to 12mm. It can be used with die-cast, machined, ground, rolled and stamped materials. Even modern architectural materials such as brushed, plated and coated aluminium; carbon and stainless steel; ceramics, stone, glass or speciality plastics can be used.

Switch facias may be engraved, printed, etched or otherwise finished to offer the designer a free hand in producing the most aesthetic designs.

Imagine the freedom that this technology brings to the designer. How much better could your designs be without the usual constraints of fitting around existing switch products but instead allowing your design ideas to take priority knowing that the switching or sensing functions can fit within your design. You will be able to work in a ‘no-limitations’ environment, applying limitless creativity on your designs, shapes and materials, helped by a creative process not possible with any traditional solution.

Where would I use ActiveTouch™ ?

Typical applications include:

ActiveTouch™, the next generation of switching and sensing technology, frees designers and engineers from the technology constraints associated with traditional electronic components. You’ll be innovating in a ‘no limitations’ free-form environment, able to employ limitless creativity on designs, shapes and materials, helped by a creative process not possible with any traditional applied science. You can think outside the box, explore solutions previously unavailable, create value in new ways and produce results that make a difference – all with ITW ActiveTouch™.