In demanding industrial environments, durability isn’t just a feature—it’s an imperative. For equipment operating in hazardous zones, ATEX certification demands that the entire system, including the display module, adheres to the most rigorous mechanical standards. In this context, the IK10 impact resistance rating stands as the industry benchmark for ultimate touchscreen protection.
At FANNAL, we specialise in rugged touchscreen display solutions. Our IK10 touchscreen modules are designed to withstand extreme physical impact, helping our customers build ATEX-certified equipment that is both safe and reliable.
What Does IK10 Mean for Touchscreens?
IK Rating Reference Chart:
Click to watch how FANNAL performs drop impact testing:
Our custom touchscreens are built with 6mm thick tempered glass, designed and tested to pass IK10 standards, which equates to withstanding 20 joules of impact—equivalent to a 5kg object dropped from 40cm. This makes them ideal for environments prone to shock, scratches, or operator mishandling.
Yet at FANNAL, we believe high protection shouldn't compromise touch performance. That's why we focus equally on functionality:
✅ Accurate projected capacitive touch through 6mm glass
✅ Full glove operation support (suitable for industrial gloves)
✅ Consistent and responsive touch under high-frequency use
Watch this test video to see how smooth and accurate the touch remains, even with thick glass:
⚠️ Not Just IK10 — A Key to ATEX System Certification
It's important to clarify:
ATEX certification applies to the complete system, covering aspects like electrical safety, housing design, and heat control.
While FANNAL doesn’t provide full ATEX certification, we do offer IK10 display modules that help equipment manufacturers meet critical certification criteria. In many cases, the IK10-rated display is a key prerequisite in the ATEX compliance process.
We're often asked:
“Can your touchscreen pass ATEX certification?”
Our honest answer:
No—because ATEX is for full systems. But our touchscreens meet the high-impact standards needed to support ATEX touch screen design.
Typical Use Cases：
ATEX display panels in oil & gas equipment
Mining control terminals
Railway and transportation dispatch consoles
Outdoor systems in extreme cold, wind, or rain
High-risk environments like prisons or military zones
In these applications, “just working” is not enough. What users truly need is an IK10 touchscreen that remains precise and reliable under extreme industrial conditions.
FANNAL: Specialized in Industrial Touchscreen Excellence
At FANNAL, we don't build finished machines. Instead, we channel our entire expertise into a single mission: delivering the world’s most reliable industrial touchscreen modules.
This specialized focus allows us to engineer components that empower our customers to accelerate ATEX and IK10 system development with absolute confidence. Understanding the synergy between these standards is crucial; for a deeper dive into how mechanical strength supports explosion safety, read our comprehensive guide on IK10 vs ATEX Displays: Impact Resistance and Explosion Safety.
If you are developing equipment for hazardous environments, contact us today for a free technical consultation and full specifications of our IK10-rated solutions.
FAQ
Q1: How does FANNAL prevent localized sensor dead zones near the chassis bezel under heavy physical impacts?
A1: Traditional thick glass panels experience high edge-stress concentration upon impact. We reinforce the borders through chemical tempering and tailored anti-vibration rubber gasket dampening zones, ensuring the sensor's physical perimeter remains stable without fracturing.
Q2: What specialized ink formulation is used to ensure the printed cover lens borders do not crack during severe industrial explosions?
A2: For explosive gas or dust zones, standard organic inks can peel or fail thermal stress checks. FANNAL deploys high-temperature inorganic ceramic inks chemically bonded to the glass structure, preventing micro-fissures and maintain physical isolation under pressure.
Q3: Does upgrading to an IK10-compliant 6mm cover glass shift the display's optical parallax or cause alignment distortion?
A3: Thick glass creates a native optical gap between the touch layer and the LCD surface. To eliminate visual parallax and ghost lines for precision heavy machinery control, we recommend combining the IK10 cover lens with liquid optical bonding (LOCA/OCR).
Q4: What specific thermal management adjustments must be made when integrating these rugged touchscreen modules into sealed ATEX housings?
A4: Fully sealed explosion-proof enclosures suffer from internal heat accumulation, which causes standard LCDs to turn black (isotropic phase). FANNAL pairs its rugged touch assemblies with wide-temperature industrial LCD panels featuring high-clearing-point liquid crystal chemistry up to 110°C.
