Exploring RDS's TFT Display Solutions:

Versatility, Performance, and Customisation

In the fast-evolving world of industrial and embedded systems, Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) displays remain a cornerstone technology thanks to their vibrant colours, high resolution, fast response times, and excellent readability in various lighting conditions.

We offer one of the most comprehensive ranges of TFT modules available, along with full design-in support and extensive customisation options.

This makes us a go-to partner for applications in medical, transportation, marine, defence, automation, and consumer electronics.

Wide Range of Sizes and Formats

We stock and support TFT displays from as small as 0.96 inches all the way up to 32 inches and beyond, covering virtually every common size in between:

Ultra-compact: 0.96" to 3.5" (ideal for handheld devices, wearables, metering, and IoT)
Small to medium: 4.3", 5.0", 7.0", 8.0", 9.0", 10.1"
Mid-range industrial: 10.4", 12.1", 15.0", 15.6"
Large format: 18.5", 21.5", 23.8", 27", 32"

Resolutions range from basic QVGA (320×240) in smaller sizes to Full HD (1920×1080) and even 4K in larger panels. Aspect ratios include traditional 4:3 for legacy systems, widescreen 16:9 or 16:10 for modern HMIs, and bar-type (stretched) formats for special applications such as passenger information systems or retail shelf-edge displays.

Many of our TFTs feature IPS or VA technology for wide viewing angles (up to 178°/178°), high brightness options from 300 cd/m² up to 1500 cd/m² for sunlight-readable use, and extended temperature operation from −30 °C to +85 °C.

Shapes and Special Formats

We go beyond conventional rectangular panels to offer a diverse range of innovative display shapes and formats. These bespoke options enable unique industrial designs, enhanced aesthetics, and optimised functionality for applications in smart home devices, automotive interiors, retail signage, instrumentation, and wearable technology – all engineered with precision in our UK facilities.

Key Shapes and Formats

Square formats: Ideal for symmetrical layouts, available in resolutions such as 480×480 or 720×720.
Round and circular displays: Increasingly popular for intuitive smart home controls and professional instrumentation.
Ultra-wide “bar-type” or “stretched” TFTs: Extreme aspect ratios like 16:4 or 32:9, perfect for panoramic information displays.
Free-form and irregularly shaped panels: Custom-cut for distinctive industrial and product design requirements.
Curved and flexible TFT displays: Suited to ergonomic automotive dashboards and compact wearable devices.
Dual-sided and transparent TFTs: Innovative solutions for retail displays, digital signage, and architectural integrations.
Notch, hole-punch, or “camera under panel” designs: Enabling modern, bezel-less all-screen aesthetics.
Portrait-cut and ultra-tall formats: Tailored for vertical digital signage, menu boards, and information pillars.

We ensure seamless integration of these special formats with touch, optical bonding, and custom cover lenses for reliable performance in demanding environments.

Add-Ons and Customisation Options

We excel at turning an off-the-shelf TFT into a complete, application-ready module through a wide array of value-added services:

Touch Panels

We provide a comprehensive range of advanced touch panel technologies, expertly integrated with our custom displays and HMIs. Our UK-based team offers bespoke touch solutions optimised for reliability, usability, and performance in challenging environments, including defence, medical, industrial automation, automotive, and large-format signage applications.

Key Touch Technologies

Projected Capacitive (PCAP): Supports multi-touch gestures, gloved operation, and water rejection; compatible with thick cover glass for enhanced durability and vandal resistance.
Resistive: Cost-effective and highly reliable, operable with stylus, finger, or gloved hand – ideal for harsh industrial environments requiring precise input.
Custom touch tuning: Precisely calibrated for specific glove types, cover-lens thicknesses, or specialised operating conditions to ensure optimal responsiveness.
Infrared (IR) touch frames: No overlay directly on the display surface, enabling operation with thick gloves or in wet conditions; particularly suited to large-format digital signage and outdoor kiosks.
Haptic feedback integration: Adds tactile confirmation for improved user experience in automotive dashboards, industrial controls, and mission-critical HMIs.

Combining these technologies with optical bonding, rugged cover lenses, and custom firmware, we deliver intuitive, long-life touch interfaces tailored to your exact requirements.

Custom Cover Glass and Optical Enhancements

Custom cover glass and optical enhancements play a crucial role in elevating display performance, durability, and aesthetics. These bespoke solutions protect against scratches, impacts, and environmental factors whilst improving readability in bright conditions and ensuring hygienic operation in sensitive settings such as medical facilities, food processing, and public kiosks. Tailored enhancements also enable distinctive branding and seamless integration into product designs.

Key Options

Chemically strengthened glass: Utilising Gorilla®, Dragontrail™, or equivalent materials in thicknesses ranging from 0.7 mm to over 6 mm for superior impact resistance and slim profiles, IK ratings up to IK10.
Specialised coatings: Anti-bacterial, anti-glare, anti-reflection, or anti-smudge finishes – precisely tailored for medical, food-processing, and high-traffic public-use applications.
Optical bonding: Liquid (LOCA) or dry (OCA) methods to eliminate the air gap, enhancing contrast, sunlight readability, and overall ruggedness.
Silk-screen printing: Custom black borders, logos, icons, or full-colour branding for professional aesthetics and functional masking.
Custom shapes and features: Precisely cut profiles, holes, notches, and rounded corners to match unique design requirements and mounting needs.

These enhancements ensure displays deliver exceptional clarity, longevity, and user experience in even the most demanding environments.

Metalwork and Mechanical Integration

Complete mechanical design and manufacturing support ensures robust, reliable integration of displays into demanding environments. These bespoke solutions provide structural integrity, thermal management, and environmental protection whilst maintaining aesthetic appeal and compliance with rigorous industry standards – ideal for industrial, marine, defence, and aerospace applications.

Key Capabilities

Custom metal frames, bezels, and enclosures: Fabricated from aluminium, stainless steel, or painted steel to suit specific durability and finish requirements.
VESA mount compatibility: Standard mounting options for seamless installation in panels, kiosks, or control stations.
IP-rated front sealing: Up to IP67/IP68 where required, delivering comprehensive protection against dust and water ingress.
Integrated heatsinks or cooling solutions: Tailored thermal management for high-brightness displays to ensure stable performance in elevated temperatures.
Precision-machined front plates and die-cast housings: Premium constructions for high-end industrial and marine deployments.
Ruggedised chassis and shock-mount systems: Engineered to comply with DEF STAN 00-35, MIL-STD-810, and RTCA DO-160 standards for extreme shock, vibration, and environmental conditions.

These mechanical integrations combine precision engineering with long-term reliability, enabling displays to perform flawlessly in the harshest operational settings.

Additional Enhancements

High-brightness LED backlights with extended lifetime (>70,000 hours)
EMI shielding and conductive gaskets
HDMI, DisplayPort, LVDS, eDP, or MIPI driver boards
Full turnkey assembly including touch, cover glass, metalwork and cabling

Because we maintain in-house cleanroom facilities and long-term partnerships with leading TFT manufacturers (such as Tianma etc.), we can deliver everything from low-volume prototypes to high-volume production with consistent quality and full traceability.

Whether you need a sunlight-readable 10.1-inch PCAP panel for marine use, a circular 5-inch display for a smart thermostat, or a fully ruggedised 15.6-inch HMI with custom metal bezel and optically bonded cover glass, we offer the size, shape, and customisation options to make it happen quickly and reliably.