$3.68 MILLION PROJECT AIMS TO LOWER FPD MANUFACTURING
COSTS
- The U.S. Display Consortium (USDC) announced today the awarding of a contract to MTM Engineering, Inc. (Fremont, CA) for the development of a dry strip tool for flat panel displays. The contract, valued at $3.68 million, is a 50/50 shared cost between MTM and USDC. The awarding of the MTM contract brings USDC's total investment in display R&D just above $180 million since its inception in 1993.
According to the contract, MTM will supply a prototype single chamber plasma ashing system with manual substrate handling. The tool will be developed to enable dry stripping of standard, hardened photoresist materials. Early project research will investigate the type and number of sources required for the range of panel sizes to optimize performance, reliability and cost of ownership (CoO).
The projected end result is a tool that will perform at high strip rates leaving a clean, residue free substrate.
The flexibility of MTM's architecture will be key to the success of the program.
"MTM is convinced that we can provide the technical capability for this project and subsequently develop a fully automated, production worthy system that will, through its simplicity and reliability, significantly lower FPD manufacturing costs," said Bill Colbran, President of MTM Engineering Inc.
"This new tool will contribute to a cost efficient manufacturing system that will benefit the entire display industry. A dedicated tool to remove resist materials will be significantly more efficient than existing more costly tools that are multi-functional," said Bob Pinnel, Chief Technology Officer for USDC. " In addition to improving cost of ownership, a dry stripping tool may be essential in manufacturing displays containing environmentally sensitive materials, like organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs)." added Dr. Pinnel.
"I congratulate MTM Engineering for the innovative techniques that have resulted in this award from the U.S. Display Consortium, and I would like to thank them for matching the federal funding with their own resources," commented Representative Jerry Lewis (R-CA/40). "As we invest in the technology needed to bring the military into the 21st Century, it is my responsibility as chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to ensure that we encourage both efficiency and top quality. I am confident that this award will lead us in that direction, and I am proud that the technology is once again being produced in California, the leader in technology research and defense applications."
For more information, please contact:
US Display Consortium
Heidi Hoffman
84 W. Santa Clara Street, Ste. 790
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 993-8111
heidi@usdc.org
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 MTM Engineering
MTM Engineering, Inc. based in Fremont, California is a developer of high throughput ashing systems for semiconductor applications. The proprietary source technology held by MTM is designed to combine low cost, simplicity and high reliability. For more information on MTM contact William Colbran at 510-440-0842.
|
