Bonding & lamination for displays, touchscreens, cover glass and films

Q: Which adhesives are used for optical bonding?

Je nach Projekt nutzen wir OCA -Folien oder flüssige LOCA -Systeme. Die Auswahl hängt von Displaygröße, Aufbau, gewünschten optischen Eigenschaften und Umgebungsbedingungen ab.

Q: Does optical bonding have an effect on impact resistance?

Ja — das vollflächige Verkleben macht das System deutlich robuster gegenüber Schlägen und Vibrationen .

Q: How long does the optical adhesive last?

Hochwertige OCA/OCR-Materialien sind für mehrere Jahre , oft 5–10 Jahre, UV- und alterungsstabil ausgelegt.

Q: Does the air gap affect touch sensitivity?

Ja, besonders kapazitive Touchsensoren können geringfügig an Präzision verlieren, da der Abstand zum Display größer ist.

Q: How does air-gap bonding affect image quality?

Der Luftspalt verursacht doppelte Reflexionen , geringeren Kontrast und ein „verwaschenes“ Erscheinungsbild.

Q: Is air gap bonding suitable for outdoor applications?

In der Regel nein , da Reflexionen, Feuchtigkeit und geringere Robustheit problematisch sein können.

Optimized bonding technologies such as optical bonding(OCA bonding and LOCA bonding) and air gap bonding improve the image quality, robustness and service life of your HMI and display modules - from industrial to medical technology and outdoor.

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Maximum readability, shockproof - ideal for outdoor & industry - Made in Germany or Asia

Full optical bonding - What is optical bonding?

With optical bonding, the cover glass, touch and display are bonded together over the entire surface without an air gap. A transparent adhesive is applied between the glass and the display - usually OCA (Optically Clear Adhesive) or LOCA (Liquid Optically Clear Adhesive) - is applied between the glass and the display. The result is better readability in sunlight, fewer reflections and higher contrast. Optical bonding also increases the robustness of the display, as the composite is more resistant to shocks, vibrations and moisture.

Advantages of optical bonding

Robustness and mechanical stability

Very high robustness and impact resistance, ideally protected for outdoor environments and against vandalism. Mechanical stability at its best!

Reflection reduction and brightness

Significantly reduced reflections and improved readability thanks to the elimination of the air gap as well as increased brightness and contrast stability, even in direct sunlight, for consistently optimum display performance.

Condensation and impact resistance IK10

No condensation or dust inclusions in the entire air gap. Thanks to the optical bonding and the matching glass, we achieve a degree of impact resistance up to IK10

Cost-efficient alternative - What is air gap bonding (lamination)?

With air gap bonding, the cover glass is attached to the touch or display with double-sided adhesive tape without completely filling the air gap. This creates a narrow air gap between the glass and the display, which is sufficient for many indoor applications. Compared to optical bonding, however, reflections, reduced robustness and condensation can occur in the event of large temperature differences. This construction method is cheaper and easier to implement than optical bonding, as no additional adhesive is required. We can advise you on whether air gap bonding makes sense for your project - or whether optical bonding offers clear advantages.

Advantages of air gap bonding

Lower production costs

Cost-efficient alternative to full optical bonding - optical bonding

Easier and faster production

The process is less complex and therefore has a higher yield

Better repairability

As the layers are not fully bonded, the glass or touch panel can be replaced more easily

Selection of technology

Description / Design	Air-Gap (Double-sided spacer tape)	Dry - DOCA (PVB, OCA,...)	Wet - LOCA (silicone or acrylate-based)
Typical transmission optical bonding layer (without component transmission*)	88%	95%***	95%***
Max. Temperature range (limitation rather by components)	-30° to +80°C	-30° to +80°C	-30° to +80°C
Protection against condensation between layers	No	Yes	Yes
EMC protection or other functions (polarization foils etc.)	Only via components	Via components or additional layers	Via components or additional layers
Combination rigid with flexible**	No	Yes	Conditional
Combination of rigid with rigid	Yes	No	Yes
Combination Flexible with Flexible	Conditional	Yes	No
Bonding uneven surfaces	Conditional	No	Yes, (topping up possible)
Installation height	Up to 1mm	Up to 0.3mm	Up to 1mm
Cost efficiency	Very high	Medium	Medium to high

*Theoverall transmission depends largely on the components used. Additional anti-reflective properties can therefore be achieved via the components or additional layers.
**e.g. films or thin PMMA/PC
***BenefitTransmission: Display must produce 7-8% less brightness to give the same impression to the user

Our recommendation: Optical bonding for demanding outdoor and industrial applications & air gap bonding for cost-conscious indoor projects.

Terms & synonyms

Full-surface bonding, Direct display bonding, Optically clear bonding, Laminated display unit, Display lamination, Air gap bonding, Air gap display, Classic display mounting, Indirect bonding

Manufacturing process

As an experienced display and HMI partner, we manufacture optical bonding and air gap bonding in a controlled environment and with high quality standards.

In-house production with clean room technology - Optional production with low-cost partners
Quality for industrial & medical technology, military/defense, rail systems engineering applications
Flexible batch sizes - from prototype to series
Experienced engineering team for design-in support

The process includes the selection of the appropriate adhesive(OCA or LOCA), material preparation & cleaning, precise alignment, lamination, degassing, curing and final optical and functional testing.

Frequently asked questions about bonding & lamination

Die Durchlaufzeit hängt von Displaygröße, Stückzahl und Testanforderungen ab. Typischerweise sollten Sie für ein Serienprojekt mit etwa 10-15 Werktagen ab Freigabe der Komponenten rechnen.

Je nach Projekt nutzen wir OCA-Folien oder flüssige LOCA-Systeme. Die Auswahl hängt von Displaygröße, Aufbau, gewünschten optischen Eigenschaften und Umgebungsbedingungen ab.

Ja — das vollflächige Verkleben macht das System deutlich robuster gegenüber Schlägen und Vibrationen.

Ja — durch die Eliminierung des Luftspalts wird Reflexion stark reduziert und der Kontrast deutlich erhöht.

Hochwertige OCA/OCR-Materialien sind für mehrere Jahre, oft 5–10 Jahre, UV- und alterungsstabil ausgelegt.

Ja, besonders kapazitive Touchsensoren können geringfügig an Präzision verlieren, da der Abstand zum Display größer ist.

Ja — besonders bei starken Temperaturwechseln kann sich Feuchtigkeit im Spalt sammeln.

Der Luftspalt verursacht doppelte Reflexionen, geringeren Kontrast und ein „verwaschenes“ Erscheinungsbild.

In der Regel nein, da Reflexionen, Feuchtigkeit und geringere Robustheit problematisch sein können.

Für viele Indoor-Anwendungen mit moderaten Lichtverhältnissen und geringer mechanischer Belastung ist Air Gap Bonding eine sehr wirtschaftliche Lösung. Wir prüfen gern gemeinsam, welche Variante für Ihre Applikation sinnvoll ist.

Wir können eine große Bandbreite an Displaygrößen und -technologien verarbeiten – von kompakten HMI-Displays bis hin zu größeren Industrie- und Infotainmentsystemen. Sprechen Sie uns für konkrete Spezifikationen einfach an.