Member Launches UK’s First Vacuum Optical Bonding Service
Norfolk, UK – Panel Graphic, a UK leader in optical plastics and display enhancement technologies, has announced a significant expansion to its manufacturing capabilities, becoming the first company in the UK to offer large-format vacuum optical bonding of PCAP touch sensors and optical plastics to electronic information displays.
This breakthrough investment in vacuum bonding machinery and large autoclaves enables Panel Graphic to bond displays up to 700mm in dimension – a size previously only possible for small consumer devices such as smartphones. The service will be available to customers across the UK and Europe, with the capacity to handle both small prototype runs and large-scale production orders.
A New Standard in Display Performance
Vacuum optical bonding – also known as Opticbond™– is a process where a display, PCAP sensor, or optical plastic is precisely laminated in a vacuum environment using OCA adhesives. This eliminates air gaps, minimises internal reflections, improves contrast, and increases sunlight readability. The process also strengthens the display’s resistance to vibration, temperature fluctuations, and moisture ingress. Not only this, but also provides minimal fallout / loss of parts.
By offering this technology at large formats, Panel Graphic is enabling industries such as automotive, aerospace, marine, industrial manufacturing, medical technology, and public information systems to benefit from higher-performing, more durable displays without the need to ship parts overseas.
Meeting the Needs of UK and European Manufacturers
“Until now, if a business needed large-format optical bonding, they had to send their displays abroad,” said Steve Earl, Managing Director at Panel Graphic. “We’ve removed that barrier. By bringing this capability to the UK, we’re reducing lead times, cutting shipping costs, and giving our customers more control over quality and production schedules.”
Panel Graphic’s large-format vacuum optical bonding is ideal for applications where clarity, durability, and reliability are critical – from vehicle infotainment systems to navigation displays, industrial HMIs, aerospace cabin screens, and rugged outdoor kiosks.
About Panel Graphic
With over 25 years of experience in supplying, coating, and fabricating high-performance plastics for display applications, Panel Graphic is a trusted supplier to leading names in automotive, aerospace, marine, and industrial sectors. The company’s expertise includes scratch and abrasion-resistant coatings, reflection control solutions, UV protection, and custom optical enhancements – all designed to improve user experience and product longevity.