Touch screens represent the future of control systems, but, unfortunately, most devices of this type available on the market have relatively small sizes. Nevertheless, it would seem that things are about to change, since 3M has just announced that it will be releasing very early next year a series of touch screens with sizes of up to 46 inches (1.16 meters).

Thus, the new MicroTouch DST touch screens will be available in 32-inch, 40-inch, 42-inch and 46-inch screen sizes to integrators across Europe. Based on 3M's patented Dispersive Signal Technology (DST), MicroTouch DST touch screens offer integrators a very good solution for large-format interactive displays in most public environments and applications, including digital signage, retail point-of-sale, point-of-information, conference rooms and education presentation systems.

As the company informs us, Dispersive Signal Technology recognizes touch by interpreting bending waves within the glass substrate created by the contact of a finger or stylus on the glass. Since bending waves are unaffected by on-screen contaminants and moderate surface damage, DST touch screens are inherently robust making them a compelling solution for customers in many of today's high productivity, vertical applications.

"DST touch screens offer unique qualities not available from existing large format touch solutions," commented Francesco Fasoglio, European Business Manager, 3M Touch Systems. "In addition to offering fast, accurate and reliable touch response, and exceptional light transmission, the touch screens are easy to integrate. They have no front surface components to impede bezel integration, they are easily sealable, and feature chemically-strengthened glass to ensure operation is unaffected by surface contaminants. Furthermore, their "dynamic touch" feature ignores static objects on the screen to allow for multi-user touch capabilities."

According to 3M, the new touch screens will be available starting January 1st 2008, although no pricing details have been revealed for the time being.