Introduction
The till screen that reacts to every touch and the one you have to press twice – the difference is usually the technology. PCAP (projected capacitive) is the same technology as in your phone, and it has become the standard for professional touch monitors.
This article explains what PCAP is, why it beats older resistive screens and when the IWILL TC touch series is the right choice.
PCAP vs resistive touch
Capacitive (PCAP)
- Responds to a light touch
- Multi-touch, up to 10 fingers
- Toughened glass – durable and easy to clean
- Smartphone-style gestures
Resistive (legacy)
- Needs pressure
- Usually single touch only
- Soft top layer that scratches
- No gestures
In practice: a PCAP screen takes thousands of touches a day without wearing and looks modern – which is why it is the standard for POS, self-service and interactive points. Resistive still has a niche where operators wear thick gloves; for that, talk to us about the right panel.
The IWILL TC touch series
TC-185F – 18.5″
Compact for tills and HMI panels. Frameless design, plug-and-play USB touch.
TC-215F – 21.5″ FHD
Full HD for ordering points and registration kiosks. Edge-to-edge glass.
TC-238F – 23.8″ FHD
A large working area for digital menus and presentations. Multi-user multi-touch.
All models: 10-point multi-touch, toughened glass, compatibility with Windows, Linux and Android, and VESA mounting.
Where they fit
POS and tills
Fast, reliable touch in busy retail environments.
Self-service
Ordering and check-in terminals built for public use.
Industrial HMI
Operator panels for machines and lines, integrated with PLCs and SCADA.
Interactive points
Wayfinding and information in public spaces.
Example: a self-order terminal in a burger restaurant
In a busy restaurant a self-order terminal takes hundreds of touches an hour – from children, adults and wet hands after the rain. An old resistive screen would wear and start mis-registering within months. A TC-238F with PCAP glass responds accurately to every touch and copes with being wiped with disinfectant several times a day.
Ten-point multi-touch enables phone-style gestures – scrolling the menu, zooming product photos. The result: customers order more confidently, the queue moves faster and average orders grow because the system suggests extras without rushing anyone.
Integration tips
Plug-and-play touch
USB touch is recognised without drivers on Windows, Linux and Android – plug it in and it works.
Toughened glass
For public spaces choose toughened glass, which resists scratches and impact.
VESA mounting
Pair the monitor with a mini PC behind the screen for a compact all-in-one terminal.
Conclusion
If your screen will be touched often and by many people, PCAP is not a luxury – it is a necessity. The IWILL TC series covers the three most requested sizes with the same durable, modern touch experience. Need the computer built in? Look at our industrial touch panel PCs.
TC touch monitors for UK projects
The TC-185F, TC-215F and TC-238F are supplied to UK projects on enquiry. Tell us the application, operating system and mounting, and we will confirm the right size and configuration.