What is an LCD?
A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is a type of display technology that presents information either as text or pixel-based images. LCDs come in two main types: active matrix and passive matrix. Compared to technologies such as Vacuum Fluorescent Displays (VFDs) or Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs), LCDs are typically more cost-effective.
We offer a wide range of LCD products, which fall into the following categories:
- TFT Displays (Thin-Film Transistor)
- COG Displays (Chip-On-Glass)
- Standard Character or Graphic Modules (COB – Chip-On-Board)
Understanding Liquid Crystal Technology
To understand how LCDs function, it’s essential to look at how they are constructed.
An LCD consists of two sheets of polarised glass. On the inner surface of one sheet, a polymer coating is applied and mechanically rubbed to create microscopic grooves that align with the direction of the polarising layer. Liquid crystal material is then applied to this surface, where it naturally aligns with the grooves.
The second piece of glass, also with a grooved surface, is then placed on top, but oriented perpendicular to the first. This perpendicular alignment creates a grid-like matrix of rows and columns, which allows for precise control of pixels or segments. When voltage is applied across the layers, the liquid crystal molecules shift alignment, affecting how light passes through and enabling the display of images or characters.