Apple's iPad Touch Panel Supply Woes Continue, Shifts Production From TPK to Wintek

[MacRumors]

DigiTimes reports that TPK Touch Solutions, one of Apple's suppliers for touch panels in its new iPad, has been experiencing delayed shipments. As a result, Apple has shifted orders to its other touch panel supplier, Wintek.

Taiwan-based TPK Touch Solutions has seen Apple shift orders for iPad-use projected capacitive touch panels to fellow maker Wintek because of TPK's delayed shipments, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

The report suggests that touch panel supplies may be a bottleneck for Apple as it works to meet initial demand for its long-anticipated tablet device. Last week, DigiTimes reported on claims in the Chinese-language media in Taiwan that Wintek had been experiencing a low yield rate for its touch panels that was resulting in delays in shipments to Apple. It is unclear whether today's report is meant to refute the earlier claim or if both suppliers are experiencing difficulties.

A report in early January, several weeks before the iPad announcement, was the first to disclose Apple's use of both TPK and Wintek for iPad touch panel production.

Article Link: Apple's iPad Touch Panel Supply Woes Continue, Shifts Production From TPK to Wintek

 

[uaecasher]

doesn't really matter , good thing they are coming

 

[Simon1966]

I hope this doesn't delay my April 3rd pre order!

 

[Grimace]

Cue comments in 3 weeks of "Do you have a Wintek or TPK panel? Which is better?"

 

[Chupa Chupa]

The report suggests that touch panel supplies may be a bottleneck for Apple as it works to meet initial demand for its long-anticipated tablet device.

Digitimes might suggest it but reality doesn't verify it. Apple is still guaranteeing launch day units unlike many of the iPad accessories which are, in fact, either in short supply or delayed. So, personally, I'll file this story under BS inside my virtual circular file.

What it could also suggest though is that pre-order sales are so strong Apple needs a second vendor to keep up with orders.

 

[dagomike]

Just imagine all the threads now about who has what panel because of some perceived problem.

 

[talkingfuture]

I hope these part changes don't affect the reliability. I suppose the one good thing about europe having to wait an extra month is that all the issues will be out in the open by the time we can buy one.

 

[elhungarian]

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (J2ME/MIDP; Opera Mini/5.0.17405/1092; U; en) Presto/2.4.15)

Hope one won't have the yellow tint issue lol.

 

[kas23]

Just imagine all the threads now about who has what panel because of some perceived problem.

Exactly. But it seems like they are going to really rush this thing out. May want to wait 1-2 months until things settle down as recently released Apple products seem to be having quality problems lately. Best to wait a little bit to allow them to get all the glitches out.

 

[Digitalclips]

Digitimes might suggest it but reality doesn't verify it. Apple is still guaranteeing launch day units unlike many of the iPad accessories which are, in fact, either in short supply or delayed. So, personally, I'll file this story under BS inside my virtual circular file.

What it could also suggest though is that pre-order sales are so strong Apple needs a second vendor to keep up with orders.

I suspect you are correct.

 

[trevreyno]

I hope these part changes don't affect the reliability. I suppose the one good thing about europe having to wait an extra month is that all the issues will be out in the open by the time we can buy one.

Let's hope It is just only an extra month-i could see a situation the rest of the countries named for "late April' get pushed into May,June so as to meet US demand.

 

[Friscohoya]

Now they're gonna get the wrath. The wrath of the nunchucks!

 

[notjustjay]

I'm curious as to what the yield problems, if true, might be. We've had touchscreen LCDs of all shapes and sizes for years and years. What's so particular about this one that it's hard to get a good supply? Is it because it's multitouch?

 

[Rocketman]

These are much larger surface area than the iPhone and the multi-layer film application is a difficult process to do bubble free mainly due to the difficulty of even application of adhesive between each layer. I suspect there will be a considerable learning curve at the factories. The short lead time Apple gives for security purposes is a problem. In the future they really should do a pilot production line in advance of a new form factor so some of the niggling details are worked out.

Look how long it took 3M to get relatively simple Scotch tape right. But when it did . . . .

It's everywhere!

Rocketman

 

[iSee]

Exactly. But it seems like they are going to really rush this thing out. May want to wait 1-2 months until things settle down as recently released Apple products seem to be having quality problems lately. Best to wait a little bit to allow them to get all the glitches out.

Or 6-8 months. Apple doesn't move fast when quality issues arise.

 

[markosb]

Cue comments in 3 weeks of "Do you have a Wintek or TPK panel? Which is better?"

Your probably right. This group has taken the edge off a little. I spend more time reading and re-reading posts, its pathetic. After April 3rd, I will be able to do that from the comfort of anywhere I please (considering wifi or not)

How will we find out which we have?

 

[Island Dog]

Cue comments in 3 weeks of "Do you have a Wintek or TPK panel? Which is better?"

Funny because it's true.

 

[sschwar4]

Key words for the article, "low yield rate". This could mean many things, none of them real positive. I can see screen issues as being a big topic of discussion following the release. I just hope their test coverage is thorough enough to prevent latent test escapes.

 

[iSee]

I'm curious as to what the yield problems, if true, might be. We've had touchscreen LCDs of all shapes and sizes for years and years. What's so particular about this one that it's hard to get a good supply? Is it because it's multitouch?

I was wondering that, too. My wild guess/hope is that Apple has much more exacting standards for the touch screen than many other companies.

I remember one story about a test where a grid of straight lines were drawn across the touch surface of various devices. The iPhone and Touch reliably reproduced straight lines but most other devices did not.

 

[gdbleb]

I suspect you are correct.

Hi folks,

The primary issue here is sourcing your critical components for your product.
You must "second-source". That is what Apple is doing. There are a number of reasons for this. It's all part of SCM.

The other issue here is volume. Rapid ramping up of production on a new product to rather high level is very tricky. Many potholes.

 

[MikhailT]

I'm curious as to what the yield problems, if true, might be. We've had touchscreen LCDs of all shapes and sizes for years and years. What's so particular about this one that it's hard to get a good supply? Is it because it's multitouch?

Key words for the article, "low yield rate". This could mean many things, none of them real positive. I can see screen issues as being a big topic of discussion following the release. I just hope their test coverage is thorough enough to prevent latent test escapes.

The low yield is due to the fact that nobody was making an IPS screen of 9.7" that has an excellent quality as well as extremely durable and yet doing it at very high volume (we're talking 13 million in first year if the numbers are right). There's a reason Apple's iPhone are still the most accurate multi-touch screen on the market, years after.

Also years and years of touchscreen LCDs? It doesn't matter how long the technology is on the market, a simple change can change the yield rate pretty fast. There are many different type of touchscreen LCDs, the one Apple's making hasn't been on the market before.

 

[SteveSparks]

Key words for the article, "low yield rate". This could mean many things, none of them real positive. I can see screen issues as being a big topic of discussion following the release. I just hope their test coverage is thorough enough to prevent latent test escapes.

But does one have better QC than the other? And does the other have a higher standard that made the production rate lower?

Its trickey, becuase the one that might be doing 'better', might have lower quality.

LOL...

It had to be said.. its true... we don't know...

 

[JAT]

Key words for the article, "low yield rate". This could mean many things, none of them real positive. I can see screen issues as being a big topic of discussion following the release. I just hope their test coverage is thorough enough to prevent latent test escapes.

It's comparative. Try comparing to the yield rate for the 50mp camera sensors in medium format digital backs. Ouch!

 

[WLS]

Cue comments in 3 weeks of "Do you have a Wintek or TPK panel? Which is better?"

+1 Yea really, you just know that people are going to claim that one of them is better whether it is in brightness or color balance. It's gonna be a mess

 

[mex4eric]

3rd Supplier?

Didn't I just see the other day an article about Apple tying up a 3 million touchscreen order with Samsung? 3 suppliers sounds pretty safe.