A custom TFT display does not necessarily require development of entirely new TFT glass.
For many OEM applications, the most valuable customization occurs around the TFT panel. Engineers may need a different FPC, touchscreen, cover glass, backlight, bonding method, PCB, or other assembly change so the display fits the mechanical, electrical, and user-interface requirements of the finished product.
Focus LCDs does not modify the TFT glass itself. Instead, we work with established TFT panels and customize the surrounding components to create a display assembly better suited to the customer’s application.
This approach can provide substantial design flexibility without treating the TFT panel as a completely new display technology.
What Is a Custom TFT Display?
A custom TFT display is a TFT-based display assembly that has been modified or integrated to meet requirements beyond the standard panel configuration.
Depending on the project, customization may involve:
- Custom FPC cables
- Backlight configuration
- Resistive or capacitive touchscreens
- Custom cover glass
- Optical bonding
- Adhesives
- Custom PCB or PCBA integration
- Mechanical integration
- Firmware loading when part of the production process
The exact combination depends on the application.
A standard TFT may already satisfy the optical and electrical requirements of the product, while the surrounding assembly requires modification so the module integrates properly into the OEM’s equipment.
Can the TFT Glass Itself Be Customized?
For Focus LCDs projects, the TFT glass itself is not modified.
The TFT panel establishes characteristics such as its active display area, native resolution, and other core panel properties.
For this reason, one of the first steps in a custom TFT project is selecting an existing panel that is reasonably close to the requirements of the application.
The engineering team can then determine which surrounding components should be customized.
This is fundamentally different from custom monochrome LCD displays, where the LCD glass itself can be developed around the customer’s requirements.
Custom FPC Cables
The FPC, or flexible printed circuit, is one of the most useful areas of TFT customization.
A standard TFT may have the correct optical characteristics but place the FPC, connector, or pinout in a location that does not fit the customer’s PCB or mechanical design.
A custom FPC can potentially address requirements such as:
- FPC length
- FPC shape
- Connector location
- Connector type
- Pinout
- Routing constraints
- Mechanical clearance
- Integration with the customer’s PCB
This can allow an OEM to use an established TFT panel while adapting the display assembly to the existing product architecture.
Custom TFT Backlights
Backlight requirements can vary significantly between applications.
An OEM may need to consider:
- Brightness
- Power consumption
- Operating environment
- Viewing conditions
- Available mechanical space
- Thermal considerations
- Product power budget
Focus LCDs can customize the backlight surrounding an established TFT panel when appropriate for the project.
The correct backlight should be selected based on the actual operating environment rather than simply specifying the highest available brightness.
For portable or power-sensitive products, backlight power may be particularly important.
Touchscreen Integration
A TFT display can be combined with either a resistive or capacitive touchscreen depending on the application.
Resistive Touchscreens
Resistive touch can be useful in applications where the user may be wearing gloves or where a relatively straightforward touch interface is required.
The appropriate choice depends on the user interface and operating environment.
Capacitive Touchscreens
Capacitive touchscreens are common in applications requiring a modern touch interface and can support more advanced interaction depending on the touch system being used.
A capacitive-touch solution may also involve additional controller electronics, FPCs, cover glass, and other integration considerations.
Focus LCDs can integrate both resistive and capacitive touchscreens into TFT display assemblies.
Custom Cover Glass
Cover glass can be customized around the mechanical and user-interface requirements of the product.
Depending on the application, the design may need to account for:
- Overall dimensions
- Mechanical fit
- Display opening
- Touchscreen integration
- Printed borders
- Mounting requirements
- Product appearance
- Environmental protection
Integrating the cover glass with the display assembly can reduce the amount of additional assembly work required by the OEM.
The exact glass requirements should be defined early so they can be coordinated with the TFT, touchscreen, enclosure, and bonding method.
Optical Bonding
Optical bonding joins the display and cover layer using an optically clear bonding material.
For appropriate applications, optical bonding can improve the mechanical integration of the display assembly and reduce internal air gaps.
The suitability of optical bonding depends on the product requirements and the materials being used.
Because bonding becomes part of the complete assembly, it should be considered early in the display-selection process rather than added after the mechanical design has already been finalized.
Focus LCDs can provide optical bonding as part of a customized TFT assembly.
Adhesives and Mechanical Integration
The way the display is physically integrated into the product can also be customized.
Adhesives, bonding materials, mounting features, cover glass, touchscreens, and enclosure requirements all interact with one another.
For OEMs, having these elements incorporated into the display assembly can reduce additional integration work later in the production process.
The correct approach depends on the mechanical design and operating environment of the finished equipment.
Custom PCB and PCBA Integration
Some TFT projects require electronics to be incorporated into the display assembly.
Focus LCDs can support custom PCB and PCBA work when it is part of the LCD assembly.
This may be useful when the OEM needs additional circuitry associated with the display, interface, power architecture, or other integration requirements.
PCB requirements should be reviewed together with the TFT interface and the customer’s system architecture.
TFT Interfaces
The interface is an important part of TFT selection.
Focus LCDs supports TFT configurations using interfaces such as:
- RGB
- LVDS
- MIPI DSI
- MCU
- Other interfaces depending on the selected display
Interface choice affects the customer’s PCB, processor, firmware, signal routing, and overall system architecture.
It is generally easier to select the appropriate TFT interface early than to redesign the electronics after the display has already been chosen.
Engineers who are still evaluating interface options can contact our engineering support team for assistance.
Firmware Loading
Some OEM projects require customer-developed firmware to be loaded during production as part of the display assembly process.
Focus LCDs can support firmware loading when it is part of the agreed production configuration.
The firmware itself remains customer-developed; the service involves loading the supplied firmware during production.
This can reduce an additional production step for the OEM when the appropriate electronics are incorporated into the display assembly.
When Does a Customized TFT Make Sense?
A customized TFT may be appropriate when an existing panel satisfies the core display requirements but the standard assembly does not integrate properly with the product.
Examples include situations where the OEM requires:
- A different FPC
- Different connector placement
- Touchscreen integration
- Custom cover glass
- Optical bonding
- A modified backlight
- PCB integration
- A more complete display assembly
In these situations, customizing around an established TFT can be more practical than trying to develop an entirely new panel.
When Should You Consider a Different Display Technology?
A TFT is not automatically the best choice for every user interface.
If the application only needs fixed numbers, symbols, icons, characters, or relatively simple graphics, a monochrome display may offer more design flexibility.
Monochrome displays can be customized at the glass level, allowing engineers to control dimensions, shape, segment layout, resolution, viewing mode, backlight, and other characteristics.
The appropriate technology should therefore be determined by what the product actually needs to display rather than by assuming a TFT is required.
Focus LCDs supports both standard and custom display technologies and can help determine which approach is appropriate for the application.
What Information Is Useful for a Custom TFT Project?
An OEM does not need every detail finalized before beginning a discussion, but providing the available requirements can make the evaluation more efficient.
Useful information may include:
- Preferred display size
- Required resolution
- Mechanical envelope
- Interface
- Brightness requirements
- Operating environment
- Touchscreen requirements
- Cover-glass requirements
- FPC or connector requirements
- Optical-bonding requirements
- PCB or PCBA requirements
- Expected annual usage
- Product lifecycle
- Target production schedule
If some requirements are still unknown, Focus LCDs can work with the engineering team to determine which items need to be defined.
Standard TFT or Customized TFT Assembly?
The first step should usually be determining whether an existing standard TFT already meets the application requirements.
If it does, using the standard configuration may provide the simplest path to prototyping and production.
If the core TFT panel is suitable but the surrounding assembly does not fit the product, customization can address those integration requirements.
The objective is not to customize every display unnecessarily. It is to determine the level of customization that solves the engineering problem.
Plan TFT Customization Early
TFT customization affects more than the display itself.
Changes to the FPC, touchscreen, cover glass, bonding, backlight, PCB, or mechanical assembly can interact with the customer’s enclosure, PCB, firmware, power system, and manufacturing process.
For that reason, these requirements should be considered early in the product-development process.
Focus LCDs works with OEM engineering teams from initial display selection and prototyping through production.
View our custom display capabilities or contact Focus LCDs engineering support to discuss a customized TFT display assembly.
