Printed Embedded Transducers: Capacitive Touch Sensors Integrated Into the Organic Coating of Metalic Substrates

We present the first realization of printed capacitive touch buttons and touch pads integrated into the organic coatings on sheet steel. The properties of coated sheet steel relevant for printing are discussed and compared with substrates, commonly used for printed electronics. Different designs and read-out methods for capacitive buttons on sheet steel have been screen printed and their sensitivity in dependence on design parameters is rated.