3M Touch Systems Announces New Line of Value-priced Resistive Touch Screen Controllers

To download a high resolution JPEG image related to this release, click Here.

Methuen, Mass. - July 6, 2004 -- 3M Touch Systems announces availability of a new MicroTouch SC Series of touch screen controllers. This new series supports 3M's full range of resistive touch screens for liquid crystal displays (LCDs) while offering tremendous flexibility and high performance at a cost-effective price.

"Having an electronics product line that is USB and HID compliant is critical for our customers," said Mark Lavoie, product manager, 3M Touch Systems. "This type of flexibility and price-conscious product gives them the ingredients needed to compete in today's dynamic application segments."

The new MicroTouch SC series of touch screen controllers provides support for both serial communications interface with Plug and Play capability and Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. The controllers are compliant with the USB - Human Interface Device (HID) driver standard, which is quickly becoming an important customer requirement.

Customers have come to expect a rich feature set from 3M's electronics including fast and accurate touch response, extended temperature support, and high performance specifications. The new touch screen controllers take advantage of an enhanced "voltage-detection" method utilizing state-of-the-art design components.

In order to provide integration design flexibility for customers, the new SC series of resistive controllers maintains the same form and fit as the newest MicroTouch EX II controllers from 3M. Available in a compact 1" x 2" format, and supporting 4-, 5-, and 8-wire resistive touch screens as well as the specialty resistive products, these controllers are designed for easy integration onto LCD panels.

"We expect these controllers to be in high demand from our touch screen customers serving the global resistive arena, with improved features, ease of integration, interface flexibility, and high touch system value," said Dan Savage, business manager, 3M Touch Systems.

About 3M Touch Systems, Inc.
3M Touch Systems Inc., a subsidiary of 3M, operates globally and reports through 3M Optical Systems Division headquartered in St. Paul, Minn. For more information visit www.3Mtouch.com.

About 3M -- A Global, Diversified Technology Company
Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen. Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company's customers know they can rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands include icons such as Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti. Serving customers in more than 200 countries around the world, the company's 67,000 people use their expertise, technologies and global strength to lead in major markets including consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; safety, security and protection services; health care; industrial and transportation. For more information, including the latest product and technology news, visit www.3M.com.

MicroTouch, Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti are trademarks of 3M.

For media inquiries, contact Donna Fleming, 3M Public Relations at 651-736-7646.

For all other inquiries, visit www.3Mtouch.com/info/pr.