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Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: Knievel on May 24, 2005, 02:41:49 pm

Title: Question for an electronics repair guy..
Post by: Knievel on May 24, 2005, 02:41:49 pm
I've got a glass touchscreen with a ribbon cable coming off it and the cable has come loose from the wiring on the glass. If I squeeze the cable against the glass it works fine.

Is there a way to reconnect the ends of the ribbon cable to the wiring..I'm thinking a conductive adhesive or something? I don't think I can solder to the trace on the glass.

Title: Re: Question for an electronics repair guy..
Post by: ChadTower on May 24, 2005, 02:47:07 pm
I've got a glass touchscreen with a ribbon cable coming off it and the cable has come loose from the wiring on the glass. If I squeeze the cable against the glass it works fine.

Is there a way to reconnect the ends of the ribbon cable to the wiring..I'm thinking a conductive adhesive or something? I don't think I can solder to the trace on the glass.

Pics?  You're going to have to elaborate on this "wiring on the glass".
Title: Re: Question for an electronics repair guy..
Post by: Knievel on May 24, 2005, 05:08:08 pm
Tough to get a good picture of it, this is from the backside...

(http://members.shaw.ca/knievel/ts.jpg)
Title: Re: Question for an electronics repair guy..
Post by: ChadTower on May 24, 2005, 07:04:00 pm
Your best bet is to wire jumpers to the ribbon cable.
Title: Re: Question for an electronics repair guy..
Post by: Knievel on May 24, 2005, 07:27:36 pm
Yea..my only concern is getting solder to stick to whatever that wiring on the glass is made out of. Was hoping there would be a product to re-secure it.
Title: Re: Question for an electronics repair guy..
Post by: saint on May 24, 2005, 08:20:40 pm
I'd be tempted to hold it down so the ends properly line up, and fasten it with some sort of adhesive, such as hot glue (though I would make sure it wouldn't melt first).
Title: Re: Question for an electronics repair guy..
Post by: Ken Layton on May 25, 2005, 12:00:05 am
If it's a MICROTOUCH brand touchscreen, I'd contact the manufacturer's tech support dept and/or checkout their FAQ page for repair information. Microtouch uses real glass in their touchscreens.

If you have an ELO brand then I feel very sorry for you. ELO is the cheapest POS plastic touchscreen I've seen. Pure crap.
Title: Re: Question for an electronics repair guy..
Post by: ChadTower on May 25, 2005, 08:55:53 am
I'd be tempted to hold it down so the ends properly line up, and fasten it with some sort of adhesive, such as hot glue (though I would make sure it wouldn't melt first).

That's a better solution IF he can hold it in place securely enough to test connectivity without gluing it first.
Title: Re: Question for an electronics repair guy..
Post by: Knievel on May 25, 2005, 11:31:31 am
Thanks guys. Ya it's an ELO, glass with a plastic front skin.

The glue idea is good but unfortunately it needs quite a bit of pressure to make contact. I'm going to take a stab at soldering it before it hits the trashcan. I'll let you know how it goes...
Title: Re: Question for an electronics repair guy..
Post by: ChadTower on May 25, 2005, 11:35:40 am
The glue idea is good but unfortunately it needs quite a bit of pressure to make contact. I'm going to take a stab at soldering it before it hits the trashcan. I'll let you know how it goes...

If you were to clamp something larger onto it tightly, then hot glue that object down, it may provide enough pressure to maintain the contacts.  Or you could just rig up a tiny clamp to it and leave it there... maybe a plumbing type clamp somehow, or just rig something that tightens with screws to hold it down.
Title: Re: Question for an electronics repair guy..
Post by: RayB on May 25, 2005, 04:34:04 pm
I'd avoid glue. Too easy for the glue to seep inbetween and actually BLOCK contact.
Title: Re: Question for an electronics repair guy..
Post by: tommy on May 25, 2005, 07:32:22 pm
If you're going to glue it i would suggest a UV glue, you need to make the glue hard with a black light but it holds much better then hot glue and its made to use on glass.
Title: Re: Question for an electronics repair guy..
Post by: SirPeale on May 26, 2005, 08:01:44 am
What about tape?  Align the wires where they should be (you may need a helper) and tape it down.

Now of course you couldn't use Scotch tape or the like, but something *much* stronger.
Title: Re: Question for an electronics repair guy..
Post by: ChadTower on May 26, 2005, 09:58:27 am
Would tape provide enough downward pressure?
Title: Re: Question for an electronics repair guy..
Post by: richms on May 27, 2005, 05:59:17 am
Conductive paint, as used to repair car window heaters. Paint that between the 2 surfaces
Title: Re: Question for an electronics repair guy..
Post by: ChadTower on May 27, 2005, 09:07:12 am
The odds of doing that and not shorting out two traces are really, really low.