This section provides an overview for touch switches as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 23 touch switch manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked touch switch companies as of November, 2024: 1.CAPTRON ELECTRONIC GMBH, 2.Devlin Electronics Ltd, 3.Banner Engineering Corporation.
Table of Contents
A touch switch is a switch that is turned on and off by touching the screen with a user's finger or pen.
Various detection methods are available, such as capacitive, resistive, and infrared, and are used according to the application. Compared to buttons and keys, switches can be placed on a flat surface and are superior in design, so they are widely used in operation panels of AV equipment and industrial equipment, and in operating units of public equipment.
It was also a pioneer in touch operation even before the appearance of touch-operated products such as smartphones and tablets. Recently, smaller and thinner touch switches are required to accommodate the miniaturization of mobile devices and the IoT.
In the development of touch switches, reliability and cost performance, as well as improved operability, have become important factors.
Touch switches that we often see in our daily lives are mainly intended for human operation. Examples include pushbuttons for electrical appliances in homes, elevators in shopping malls, and automatic doors. Recently, capacitive touch switches that are activated simply by touching the screen, such as smartphones and touch panels, are becoming the mainstream.
Touch switches are also widely used inside industrial robots and machine tools. At hazardous sites such as factories, they also serve as safety devices to prevent workers from entering or being pinched and to detect damage to tools.
As the name suggests, touch switches are operated by touching. The most appropriate type of touch switch should be selected according to the operating environment and purpose.
Capacitive touch switches utilize the fact that the human body is a conductor of electricity. When a finger approaches the surface of the switch, the capacitance changes, and the switch turns on or off by detecting this change. This technology is often used in touch screens for smartphones and tablets.
Resistive touch switches have two conductive layers with an insulating layer in between. When the user touches the surface, the two conductive layers come into contact and an electric current flows. The change in this current is detected and the operation of the switch is controlled.
Infrared touch switches use an infrared sensor to detect the proximity of the user's hand or finger. The sensor emits infrared light and detects the reflected light. As the hand or finger approaches, the amount and angle of the reflected light changes, and the switch operates based on this change.
Touch switches are used in many situations, and their range of application is expanding every day. However, not all touch switches are the same.
It is important to select the most appropriate type depending on the specific application and environment.
This is a touch switch with extremely low power consumption. Suitable for battery-powered portable devices.
This type can maintain high performance for a long period of time. Often used in industrial applications and public facilities.
This type of touch switch can detect multiple touch points simultaneously. Often seen in smartphones and gaming devices.
Types that operate stably even in environments with a lot of moisture or dirt are useful in kitchen appliances and medical equipment. Some types can also be customized for specific applications or special environments. They are used in multifunctional operation panels and special industrial applications.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (Vishay) was incorporated in 1962 and is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania. The company serves the industrial, automotive, telecommunications, consumer products, and medical end markets and sells its products under numerous brand names inlcuding Siliconix, Draloric, Beyschlag, UltraSource, and Applied Thin-Film Products. The company manufactures and sells discrete semiconductors and passive electronic components in globally while operating in six market segments: MOSFETs, diodes, optoelectronic components, resistors, inductors, and capacitors.
Banner Engineering Corporation, established in 1966 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial automation products. They offer an extensive range of sensors, including proximity sensors, photoelectric sensors, and limit switches, for detecting object presence, position, and speed. Additionally, Banner provides a different types of switches, such as pushbuttons, toggle switches, and rotary switches, to control electricity flow and offer system feedback. Their wide array of controls includes PLCs, HMIs, and motion controllers, enabling automation of industrial processes.
Honeywell International Inc. was founded in 1885 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Honeywell is a diversified technology and manufacturing company to global customers in many industries such as aerospace, building technologies, performance materials, manufacturing, and safety. Honeywell produces hardware and software solutions for each industry it serves. In building technologies, Honeywell designs access controls, electrical and wiring, fire life safety, and employee training services. In aerospace, Honeywell designs cockpit systems and displays, engines, cabin management and cleaning, and health and usage monitoring.
Sensata Technologies was originally founded in 1916 as General Plate Company and is now headquartered in Attleboro, Massachusetts. The company is a developer, manufacturer, and seller of sensors and sensor-rich solutions, electrical protection components, and other products used in automotive, industrial, energy, telecom, and construction industries. The company has 20 product categories including force sensors, tire management solutions, inverters & charges, and pressure sensors.The company’s next generation of products are designed to improve the efficiency of industrial pumps, fuel efficiency in ICE cars and energy efficiency in TVs, and facilitate usage of IoT devices.
Salecom Electronics Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer of switches based in Taiwan since 1976. The company designs various switches such as Toggle switches which vary as remote-controlled, miniature, and industrial, and Rocker switches that are available as Sealed Ultraminiature and Sub-miniature and more. The Tact, Slide, Key, Dip, and Pushbutton switches are also available along with Micro switches that have numerous applications in, telecommunications, instrumentation, medical equipment, networking, computer peripherals & more.
ITW EBA, established in 1970 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, is a manufacturer of switches, fasteners, dampers, connectors, and IC package solutions. Their products encompass pushbutton switches for equipment control, microswitches for motion detection, dampers regulating airflow, connectors for various applications, and IC package solutions for integrated circuits. As a subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works (ITW), they serve electronics, industrial, and medical sectors and hold ISO 9001:2015, IEC 60947-1, and UL certifications.
Captron Electronic GmbH, established in 1983, is based in Olching, Germany, as a manufacturer of automation machinery. It manufactures capacitive, level, and optical sensors and LED signal lamps. It also manufactures peripheral equipment, such as connect cable, mounting support, plumb for level sensors, and disassembly tools. The company obtained several ISO, including ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications. It also received several awards, such as the Bavarian State Government Award in 2017, Olchinger Agenda 21 in 2010, and Git Safety Award in 2010. Its manufactured products are utilized for Automotive, Aviation, Robotics, and medical industries across China, North America, and Poland.
Onpow Push Button Manufacture Co. Ltd. (formerly known as Yueqing Hongbo Radio Factory) is a push-button switch manufacturer established in 1988 and based in Yueqing, Zhejiang, China. The company's portfolio includes 40 patented series of push-button switches, with 1 to 2 new series added annually, ranging from metal and plastic to customizable options. The company also offers various switch types, including emergency stop, key lock, and selector switches. Connector blocks, electrical terminals, and terminal boards are also part of its lineup. Serving domestic and international markets, the company extends its reach to customers in the United States and Europe.
Yueqing Aibeiken Electric CO.,Ltd, headquartered in Wenzhou, China, has been a manufacturer of electromechanical switches since 2014. The company manufactures anti-vandal switches, rocker switches, power sockets, fuse holders, and pilot lamps. Some of its products have IP65/IP67 waterproof protection that can be used in wet or dusty environments. The company has been delivering products to the medical, electronics, instrumentation, industrial, and consumer markets. It obtained multiple certifications, including ISO 9001:2015, to uphold management systems. By road, air, and sea transportation, it serves North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Zhongshan Gamder Electric Appliance Co. Ltd., founded in 2017, is a Chinese manufacturer based in Xiaolan, Guangdong, specializing in switch and socket products. Since 2012, the company has offered a range of products under the ART-DNA brand, including the 86-type, 118-type, and European-style switches and sockets. Other products include various lighting products, such as ceiling and floor lights, linear lights, and reflected spotlights. These products are installed in hospitality venues, among others, in Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Notably, the company received the Red Dot Award in 2022 for its V23 switch panel.
Devlin Electronics Ltd was founded in 1976 and is a manufacturer of electro-mechanical products and solutions based in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England. The company manufactures various products such as LED rotary switches, key switches, and power supplies. The products are used in various applications such as healthcare, industrial, and marine industries. Custom product design request made to customers' specifications is also accepted by the company. The company has obtained certificate of ISO 9001:2015 standard for the quality management system of designing, manufacturing, and marketing the products.
KYNOPPE SAS was founded in 2014 and is a manufacturer of industrial automation and switches based in Saint Maur des Fosses, Val de Marne, France. The company manufactures various products such as anti vandal push button, waterproof LED indicator bulb, and illuminated toggle switch. These products are used in various industries such as recreational vehicles, transport network, and security control. The company provides custom solutions according to the customers' requests and specifications.
Rongwei Electric Co. Ltd., based in Wenzhou, China, is an ISO 9001-certified manufacturer of connectors used in applications such as power facilities, communication equipment, and medical appliances. The company stocks metallic and nylon cable glands, including UL-reinforced, stainless steel, and CE metal cable glands that are ATEX, CE, and UL-approved. The company also stocks products like plugs, sockets, and insulation terminals and is a vendor to companies like Amphenol, Molex, and Samsung. The nylon glands use UL-approved PA66 and nitrile butadiene rubber, while the metallic glands use nickel-plated brass and UL-approved nylon PA66 and NBR.
Metrol Co.,Ltd. is an ISO 9001-certified manufacturer of precision mechanical sensors and switches for industrial applications that was established in 1976 in Tokyo, Japan. The company produces various mechanical switches and sensors including touch probe contact sensors, tool setters, and precision positioning touch switches. These products have applications in line automation, robotics, and plant safety systems. The company also offers testing, and customization, and certification services for clients with unique project specifications.
SENSATEC Co. Ltd., established in 1988 and based in Kyoto, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of OEM sensors. The company specializes in crafting electronic detection and control devices, medical tools, and beauty equipment, including various sensors, A/D/D/A converters, and optical fiber data systems. Its diverse product range also includes cable and coil winding processing, and it provides support for metal mask manufacturing. The company also offers tailored designs emphasizing miniaturization and handles everything from standard strips to soldering and assembly.
Langir Electric, founded in 2009 and based in Wenzhou, China, is a manufacturer of switch solutions, including piezo, anti-vandal, and capacitive switches. The company also sells electronic design solutions, control panels, and accessories like flexible light pipes, stainless steel cable ties, and anti-vandal pilot indicators. It also provides custom services and solutions and has over 10,000 customers. The company sells 80% of its products to over 50 countries in regions such as Canada, Europe, and South America. It is ISO 9001certified, and all its products have a one-year major parts warranty.
SMK Corporation, with its roots dating back to 1925 in Tokyo, Japan, has established itself as a manufacturer specializing in connectors, remote control systems, and electronic components. It boasts a diverse product portfolio that includes connectors, plugs, switches, remote control units, and touch panels. These quality components play pivotal roles in an array of applications and an assortment of industries, ranging from home electronics for the operation of devices like air conditioners, to the automotive sector in the rear-view mirrors. Furthermore, its solutions extend to the realm of mobile devices, wearable technology, such as smart glasses, and healthcare equipment.
Omron Corporation, started in 1933 and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, is a manufacturer of automation components, equipment, and systems, and it developed the first contactless proximity switch in 1960. It has four domains, including industrial automation, electronic components, healthcare, and social systems, and it provides products and services in around 120 countries and regions. Some of its products include microsensing devices, access control systems, industrial robots, surveillance cameras, and blood pressure monitors. In 1971, it developed the first online cash machine, and in 1972, it established Japan’s first welfare factory.
OMRON Corporation is a Kyoto based electrical equipment manufacturing company founded by Kazuma Tateisi in 1933. OMRON’s product portfolio includes medical equipment like nebulizers and digital thermometers, automated teller machines for the finance industry to AC, DC and custom control systems for the oil and gas industries. The company has over 30,000 employees and offers its products and services in 120 countries. It primarily serves the healthcare, energy, casino, and automated test equipment industries.
Canal Components Inc. is headquartered in New Taipei City, Taiwan. The company is a distributor of quality electrical and mechanical components to customers worldwide. The company sources from suppliers in China and Taiwan as well as perform in-house production in its ISO 9001-certified factories providing product testing. The company’s product categories include switches, sockets, fuses, and other component parts. The company also has a line of waterproof and washable electronic parts. The company bridges communication between suppliers and customers and encourages inquiries from customers about products.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | CAPTRON ELECTRONIC GMBH |
13.0%
|
2 | Devlin Electronics Ltd |
9.1%
|
3 | Banner Engineering Corporation |
7.8%
|
4 | Salecom Electronics Co., Ltd. |
7.8%
|
5 | Osaka Automatic Electric Co., Ltd. |
7.8%
|
6 | ITW Electronic Business Asia Co., Ltd. |
6.5%
|
7 | Honeywell International Inc |
6.5%
|
8 | KYNOPPE SAS |
5.2%
|
9 | Yueqing Aibeiken Electric CO.,Ltd |
5.2%
|
10 | METROL Inc. |
5.2%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the touch switch page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
China | 5 | 26.3% |
United States of America | 4 | 21.1% |
Taiwan | 4 | 21.1% |
Japan | 3 | 15.8% |
Germany | 1 | 5.3% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 5.3% |
France | 1 | 5.3% |