Tape and Optical Bonding - Made in the Netherlands

Dytos offers both tape bonding and optical bonding of displays, performed entirely in our modern production facility in the Netherlands.

With tape bonding, the touchscreen is attached to the display with industrial precision. For applications where readability, durability and optical clarity are crucial, we use optical bonding. This prevents condensation, improves contrast and increases robustness against shock and vibration.

  • Production in the Netherlands
  • Short delivery times
  • Ideal for industrial and outdoor applications

At Dytos, we use high-quality industrial tapes from reputable brands such as 3M, Innotec and Sekisui to perform tape bonding. This method offers a fast, clean and reliable way to assemble touchscreens and displays without liquid adhesives.

Our tape solutions offer:

  • Strong adhesion with excellent temperature resistance
  • Shock absorption and protection from dust and moisture
  • Flexibility in design, including for curved or compact applications


An additional service is to apply the tape also directly to the cover glass so that the HMI solution can be quickly and easily incorporated into your final product. This saves time during assembly and minimizes errors during assembly.

Choose tape bonding from Dytos - efficient, clean and industrially reliable.

Two silicone components (liquid)

Optical bonding with two silicone components is a technique often used in the assembly of displays, such as touchscreens, to improve optical performance and increase durability. In this process, a transparent, silicone-based optical adhesive is used to bond the display glass directly to the underlying LCD panel or touch sensor. The two-component silicone process refers to the use of a silicone that consists of two separate components, a base and a curing agent, which are mixed together for actual bonding.

Benefits of Optical Bonding:

Reduction of Reflection and Glare:

By eliminating the layer of air between the glass and the display panel, internal reflections are reduced. This improves screen readability, especially in bright light or outdoor environments.

Enhanced Robustness:

The silicone fills the space between the glass and the display, making the display more resistant to shock and vibration. This increases the durability of the display.

Better Touch Sensitivity:

Optical bonding reduces the distance between the touch sensor and the glass, which improves the accuracy and sensitivity of the touch response.

Preventing Condensation:

Because there is no longer a layer of air, condensation cannot occur between the glass and the display either, which improves visibility under certain conditions.

Two-component Silicone Process:

In optical bonding with two-component silicone, the following steps are followed:

Mixing Components 1:

Silicone consists of two parts: the base and the curing agent (also called catalyst). These are mixed in precise proportions. This mixture forms the optical adhesive.

Application of the Silicone:

The mixed silicone is injected between the surface of the display panel or on the back of the glass or touch sensor. This can be done using automated machines for precision and consistency.

Positioning and Bonding 3:

The glass and display are accurately positioned on top of each other. Once they are correctly aligned, they are pressed together so that the silicone can be injected and spread evenly without forming air bubbles.

Curing:

The silicone begins to cure once the two components are mixed. Curing can take place at room temperature or be accelerated by heating, depending on the specific silicone used.

Quality Control:

After curing, the bonded display is tested for optical clarity, absence of bubbles, and functional performance.

Key Considerations:

Optical bonding with two-component silicone thus offers significant advantages, especially in applications where readability, durability, and touch performance are critical, such as in medical displays, industrial touchscreens, and outdoor digital signage.

Optical bonding with a Silicone Gel Sheet?

A silicone gel sheet is a pre-formed, flexible and transparent layer made of silicone gel. Designed to be placed between the protective glass and the display panel, these sheets act as an optically clear adhesive that bonds the two surfaces without the use of liquids. They offer consistent thickness and properties, which helps minimize air bubbles and other imperfections during the bonding process.

Process of Optical Bonding with a Silicone Gel Sheet

Preparation of the Components

Cleaning: Both the display panel and the protective glass are thoroughly cleaned to remove dust, dirt and other contaminants that may affect optical clarity.

Inspection: Check both surfaces for scratches, defects or irregularities.

Placement of the Silicone Gel Sheet 2.

Cut to Measure: The silicone gel sheet is cut to the right size and shape to fit perfectly between the glass and display.

Positioning: The gel sheet is carefully placed on the display panel, ensuring that it lies evenly without creases or wrinkles.

Laminating the Glass on the Display

Alignment: The protective glass is accurately placed on top of the gel sheet and display panel, with special attention paid to precise alignment to avoid shifting and misregistration.

Applying Pressure: An even pressure is applied to spread the gel sheet evenly and create a firm bond between the layers. This can be done using a laminator or a vacuum press.

Removal of Air Bubbles: During the application process, any air bubbles are removed by pressure and sometimes slight heat to ensure clear and uninterrupted vision.

Curing process 4.

Unlike liquid adhesives, a silicone gel sheet usually does not require any additional curing time or process, as the gel is already in its final form. This speeds up the production process and reduces complexity.

Quality control

Visual Inspection: The bonded display is inspected for clarity, uniformity and the absence of air bubbles or other imperfections.

Functional Testing: The display is tested for proper operation, touch response (if applicable) and other specifications to ensure it meets all quality standards.

Benefits of Optical Bonding with Silicone Gel Sheets

Simple and Clean Process 2.

No mixed liquids or curing times, making the process easier and cleaner.

Reduces the risk of spills and uneven spread of adhesive.

Consistent Thickness and Quality 2.

Pre-formed sheets provide uniform thickness across the entire surface, contributing to consistent optical performance.
Less chance of human error during application.

3. Effective Air Bubble Control

The solid nature of the gel sheet makes it easier to prevent and eliminate air bubbles during the bonding process.

Improves clarity and reduces unwanted reflections.

Flexibility and Shock Absorption 4.

Silicone gel has excellent cushioning properties, which helps absorb shock and vibration, making the display more durable.
The flexibility of the gel can accommodate thermal expansion and contraction, which is important in environments with fluctuating temperatures.

Time savings 5.

Since no curing is required, the production process can be completed faster, reducing throughput time and increasing efficiency.

Reworkability 6.

In some cases, gel sheets can be removed and reapplied if mistakes are made during the process, enabling reworkability and reducing waste.

Applications

Optical bonding with silicone gel sheets is used in a variety of industries and products, including:

Important Considerations

Material compatibility

Ensure that the refractive index of the silicone gel matches that of the glass and display to ensure optimal optical performance.

Check for chemical compatibility to prevent degradation or discoloration over time.

Temperature resistance

Choose a gel sheet suitable for the expected temperature and humidity conditions of the end application to ensure reliability and durability.

Cost

Although gel sheets save time in the production process, material costs may be higher compared to some liquid adhesives. A cost-benefit analysis is important.

Preparation and Storage

Gel sheets must be stored under appropriate conditions to maintain their properties, such as temperature and humidity control.

Optical Brightness and Durability

Quality of the gel sheet is crucial; low-quality materials can lead to yellowing, cloudiness or delamination over time.

Comparison with the bonding methods

Feature
Silicone Gel Sheet
Liquid Silicone (Two-component)
Process complexity
Simpler, fewer steps
More complex, requires mixing and curing
Production time
Faster, no curing required
Slower, depending on curing time
Material consistency
Uniform thickness and properties
May vary depending on blending and application
Air bubble formation
Less chance of air bubbles
Higher probability, requires careful application
Cost
Possible higher cost of materials
Often cheaper in materials, but more labor intensive
Reworkability
Hard to rework
Easier to rework

Conclusion

Optical bonding is an effective and efficient method for improving the optical and physical performance of displays. It offers a clean and simple process with consistent results, which is especially advantageous in applications where high quality and reliability are essential. By selecting the right materials and proceeding carefully during the bonding process, manufacturers can produce durable and high-performance displays that meet the requirements of various demanding environments and industries.

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