USDC AWARDS CONTRACT TO OEM PRESS FOR LAMINATION TOOL FOR FLEXIBLE DISPLAYS
SAN JOSE, Calif., December 1, 2004 - OEM Press Systems Inc. of Fullerton, CA, has been awarded a R&D contract by the U.S. Display Consortium (USDC) to develop equipment and processes for handling large flexible substrates. The $450,000 cost-shared project will result in a lamination tool for use in manufacturing flexible electronic backplanes. The USDC is a public/private partnership chartered with developing the flat panel display (FPD) industry supply chain. The award to OEM Press underscores USDC’s on-going commitment to the emerging flexible microelectronics and displays industry.
USDC’s objectives for the project with OEM Press are to 1) develop equipment and processes to enable handling of large flexible substrates on conventional second generation display manufacturing tools; 2) supply a lamination system for use in the U.S. Army-funded Flexible Display Center (FDC); and, 3) ensure system applicability on substrates ranging from six inches to thirty inches on a side. Initially, the tool will be used in manufacturing 6-inch electronic backplanes for both liquid crystal displays (LCD) and organic light emitting diode displays (OLEDs).
From definition of specifications to installation and start-up, the OEM Press tool development project will take approximately nine months. The tool configuration will be based upon an existing vacuum hydraulic press design of OEM Press Systems’ with appropriate customization. Beta site testing and process development will occur at the FDC, hosted at Arizona State University. The FDC recently received a $43 million, US Army research and development grant to develop and demonstrate flexible display prototypes. The FDC will supply the essential ancillary equipment, such as curing ovens, to implement and qualify the process.
"Congratulations to OEM Press for this award from the USDC," said Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) a member of the House Armed Services Committee. "This exciting project will help build prototypes of flexible displays for use by the Army and other services. I am very pleased that a company in Orange County is helping to revolutionize the electronic display industry."
“This opportunity to partner with USDC in the development of cutting edge FPD technology is very exciting for OEM Press Systems and we are confident that our development press with its unique design features and capabilities will contribute to the success of the project,” stated Mary Quinlan, sales manager at OEM Press Systems.
The USDC R&D program is a collaborative effort of private industry and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, located in Adelphi, MD.
The USDC is an industry-led public/private partnership providing a common platform for flat panel display manufacturers and developers, FPD users, and the supplier base. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., the consortium’s primary mission is to fund supply-chain projects and share the results with USDC member companies. The USDC also provides a communication channel among industry, government and the financial communities for display issues; sponsors workshops to broaden the impact of technological developments; and educates consumers on the importance of displays in providing access to information technology. More information can be found at www.usdc.org
Contact:
Heidi Hoffman
USDC
408.993.8111
heidi@usdc.org
Marie Labrie
MCA
PH: 650.968.8900
FAX: 408-277-2490
Email: mlabrie@mcapr.com
About the U.S. Display Consortium
The U.S. Display Consortium is an industry-led public/private partnership providing a common platform for flat panel display and flexible microelectronics manufacturers and developers, FPD users, and the supplier base. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., the consortium’s primary mission is to fund supply-chain projects and share the results with USDC member companies. The USDC also provides a communication channel among industry, government and the financial communities for display issues; sponsors workshops to broaden the impact of technological developments; and educates consumers on the importance of displays in providing access to information technology. More information about the USDC can be found at www.usdc.org
About OEM Press Systems
OEM Press Systems, Inc. is a state-of-the-art design and manufacturing firm providing "engineered solutions" for vacuum and non-vacuum hydraulic press systems featuring MMI computer/PLC controls, material handling automation, and thermal dynamics engineering with turn-key projects worldwide. The cornerstone of OEM's lamination press systems is a patented Quad Piston design, which offers even pressure application over the entire surface area of the platen. The quad piston technology is the most precise lamination technology in the world today. For more information, visit www. oempressystems.com |
