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PCAP Touch Screens

A PCAP (projected capacitive) touch screen detects touch through changes in an electric field across a grid of sensor electrodes beneath a glass cover. It supports multi-touch, works through thick cover glass, and has no moving parts on the surface, which makes it durable and easy to clean. This makes PCAP the standard touch technology for industrial, medical, transport and defence displays. 

FORTEC UK supplies PCAP touch sensors from 5" to 65", with USB, I²C or SPI controller interfaces. Options include optical bonding, tuning for gloves and water, and custom cover glass shapes and printing. Each product page lists its touch points, controller, glass thickness and operating temperature, so you can check the specification before you enquire. 


More Than a PCAP Touchscreen 

Choosing the sensor is only part of a reliable touch interface. Performance also depends on cover-glass thickness, grounding, electrical noise, controller configuration, moisture, gloves and the final mechanical integration. 

FORTEC UK supports the complete touch stack, from PCAP sensor and custom cover glass through to controller configuration, TFT integration and VacuBond® optical bonding. We can also supply touch screen controllers and fit the touch screen to your display. 

PCAP touch screen specifications at a glance

Specification

FORTEC UK PCAP range

Technology

Projected capacitive (PCAP), multi-touch

Screen sizes

5" to 65" (including 7", 10.1", 12.1", 15.6", 21.5", 24", 32", 55" and 65")

Touch points

Multi touch points, varies by model

Controller interfaces

USB, I²C, SPI

Cover glass thickness

1.1 mm standard, other thicknesses on request

Cover glass options

Custom shapes, custom printing, anti-glare, anti-reflective, UV filter

Glove and water tuning

Available (tuned per application)

Optical bonding

Available with VacuBond®

Operating temperature

Varies by model

EMI shielding

Available

Tail (connector) position

Top, bottom, left or right; see product filters

Typical sectors

Industrial, medical, transportation, defence, instrumentation

Customisation

Sizes, cover glass, controller configuration, integration with TFT displays

Specifications vary by model. See individual product pages and datasheets for exact values. 


Benefits of PCAP Technology

Engineers and system designers choose PCAP touch screens because they combine intuitive operation with resilience:

  • ✔ Glove and stylus support (with tuning)

  • ✔ Sunlight readability when paired with optical bonding

  • ✔ Scratch-resistant glass options

  • ✔ Seamless integration with TFT displays

  • ✔ Custom cover glass printing for branding or instructions

Applications of PCAP Touch Screens

Our PCAP solutions are tailored for industries where reliability is non-negotiable:

  • Medical – sterile operation with anti-bacterial coatings

  • Defence – MIL-STD ruggedised assemblies with NVIS compatibility

  • Transportation – passenger information systems (PIS) with sunlight readability

  • Industrial Instrumentation – robust interfaces for factory automation and test equipment


Customisation & Integration Options

At FORTEC UK, we don’t just supply touch screens—we engineer complete assemblies:

  • Optical bonding with VacuBond® for strength and readability

  • EMI shielding for secure defence environments

  • Cover glass enhancements: anti-glare, anti-reflective, UV filters

  • PCAP tuning for gloves, water rejection, or custom sensitivity

Why Choose FORTEC UK?

  • ✅ UK engineering expertise with European manufacturing partners

  • ✅ Long-term availability and supply chain security

  • ✅ Support from prototyping to full production lifecycle



Contact Us to Discuss Your PCAP Requirements click here 


PCAP touch screen FAQs

What is a PCAP touch screen?

A PCAP (projected capacitive) touch screen senses touch through changes in an electric field across a grid of electrodes under a glass cover. It supports multi-touch gestures such as pinch and swipe, and the sealed glass surface is durable and easy to clean.

What is the difference between PCAP and resistive touch screens?

PCAP senses changes in an electric field and works through glass, so it offers multi-touch, a smooth glass surface and good optical clarity. Resistive screens respond to physical pressure from a finger, glove or stylus, and are often chosen where bare-hand capacitive touch isn’t practical. See our resistive touch screens for comparison.

Can PCAP touch screens work with gloves?

Yes, with tuning. The controller can be configured to detect gloved touch, but performance depends on glove thickness, cover glass thickness and the application. Tell us which gloves your users wear and we can recommend a configuration.

Can a PCAP touch screen work in the rain or with water on the surface?

Yes, with tuning. Controllers can be configured for water rejection so that droplets are not read as touches. This is useful for outdoor, marine and transport applications.

How do I make a PCAP touch screen readable in sunlight?

Pair the touch screen with optical bonding, which removes the air gap between the cover glass and the display, reducing reflections and improving contrast. Anti-glare and anti-reflective cover glass treatments can help further. See our optical bonding service.

What controller interface should I choose: USB, I²C or SPI?

USB is usually the simplest for PCs and many embedded boards. I²C and SPI suit embedded systems that connect directly to a microcontroller or SoC. We can advise on the best option for your platform. See our touch screen controllers.

What cover glass thickness is available?

Our catalogue products use 1.1 mm glass, and thicker cover glass is available on request. PCAP can work through thicker glass, but tuning is needed to maintain sensitivity.

Can you supply custom sizes, shapes or printing?

Yes. We offer custom cover glass shapes, printing for branding or instructions, and enhancements such as anti-glare, anti-reflective and UV-filter coatings. See product customisation.

Can you fit the touch screen to my existing display?

Yes. We offer TFT integration and touch screen fitting, including optical bonding, so you receive a complete assembly rather than separate parts.

Contact us