Apr
30
2025
The Drafting II is consistently among our most sought-after models. This is due to its versatility as a kiosk, digital drafting table, and educational tool, leading to its use in a wide range of environments, from museums and schools to architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) offices. It is also the model with the most customization options, including powerful computer upgrades, locking casters, and a keyboard tray. We are always looking at ways we can improve our hardware, and given the growth of the Drafting II from a simple, angled touch display to the versatile powerhouse it is today, the next logical step in its evolution was to upgrade the screen itself.
Ideum’s optically bonded display was first introduced in late 2023, with the prototype shown at the Interactive Surfaces & Spaces conference. Since then, we have made a variety of improvements to the design, and it has since been released as an open frame Inline and wall-mountable Presenter, as well as being a key feature of our Tasting Table. The display features the same high-quality components as our other tables - a commercial 4K LCD display from LG, and a projective capacitive multitouch sensor from TES - but has a different manufacturing process that sets it apart despite the common components.
But what exactly is an optically bonded touch display? You may already be familiar with them, as they can be found on many high-end smartphones, and are common among small form factor touchscreens even beyond smartphones and tablets. When optically bonding a touchscreen, the touch sensor is physically secured to the LCD panel with a thin layer of clear liquid adhesive, which is then cured to create a gapless permanent bond between each component. Without the air gap between components, we were able to create a new, slim frame that accentuates the sleek design already inherent in our products.
Because of this difference in manufacturing, the optically bonded display has some advantages that are useful in certain applications and environments.
Our optically bonded touch table offers improved contrast and clarity. With no gap between the LCD and the touch sensor, there is less light being reflected off components, increasing the contrast of the display and creating a clearer viewing experience. Fewer reflections and more vibrant colors make the display easier to see in brighter spaces, despite there being no change in the luminance of the LCD. Additionally, the absence of internal reflections leads to a wider viewing angle, so even those viewing the Drafting II from the side can have a positive viewing experience.
As screens get larger, viewing angles become more extreme when interacting with the furthest corners of the display, and users are more likely to experience parallax. When touching an element in the top right corner of a 55” display, for example, your finger or stylus may appear to be on the correct part of the screen, but in reality, it’s slightly shifted, leading to a less accurate touch experience. The optical bond reduces parallax and improves touch accuracy, which is vital when using the Drafting II for design, blueprint markups, plan review, and precise measurements.
By eliminating the air gap, the optically bonded touch screen becomes less susceptible to contamination by dust and moisture. The protective seal between the edge of the display and the frame protects it from any possible contaminants, and the cured adhesive fills the gap between the LCD and touch sensor, preventing dust or moisture from accumulating. This feature is what makes the display work well with our Tasting Table, where the chances of liquids spilling are high, but it is also effective when used in demanding environments such as job sites or factory floors, where dust particles may be more prevalent.
The 55” optically bonded Drafting II is available with the same features as its standard counterpart. In addition to custom color options, the integrated computer has two different upgrade levels - performance and ultimate. The performance upgrade bumps up the processing power and graphics card, making it capable of handling more demanding design applications. If you need even more power for processes such as 3D rendering, the ultimate upgrade increases those specs even further, with the current generation using an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and an NVIDIA RTX 5090 graphics card, with a massive 64GB of RAM. These components are updated with each new generation, making sure you always have the most up-to-date and powerful system available.
Beyond custom colors and computer upgrades, the 55” digital drafting table is also available with locking casters and a keyboard tray, making it the ultimate digital drafting workstation for AEC use. The low-profile casters allow a single person to effortlessly move the table, and when engaged, the locks prevent it from moving when in use. The removable keyboard tray secures safely to the frame, offering a sturdy space for a keyboard and mouse. It is made of the same ruggedized, powder-coated aluminum as the rest of the table, making it an elegant and functional addition. These add-ons are available separately or as a lower-priced bundle.
For now, the optically bonded display is only available in 55”, though we are looking to bring this option to other sizes in the future. For more information or to see a demo of this system, reach out to our sales group today!
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