HOME > Technology Development > Process Technology: Development and Application of Technology
- Material Design
- Technology Bases
- Development and Application of Technology
- Process Technology
- Technology Bases
- Melting
- Forming
- Processing
- Development and Application of Technology
- Electric melting
- Forming
- Manufacturing equipment for ultra-large products
- Processing
- Environmental Measures
- Material Design
- Process Technology
- Create a New Era, Open up the Future
- Ultra-thin sheet glass
- Glass-ceramics
- University-industry collaboration with the University of Shiga Prefecture
- Technological development for the future
Development and Application of Technology
Electric melting
NEG is making increased use of its own special electric melting technology, whereby clean electrical energy is directly applied to molten glass. Electric melting reduces the volatilization of substances that have an impact on the environment, and it also decreases CO2 emissions.
Forming
Overflow process
NEG’s overflow process was developed to form thin sheet glass with a smooth surface at the nano-level without the need for polishing. This has enabled us to offer successive generations of products to meet demand for the large-format glass sheets used in display panels. By September 2007, our technology allowed mass production up to the level of ninth-generation substrates (2,450 x 3,050 mm). Making use of our overflow process, we have produced ultra-thin sheet glass with a thickness of 100 μm and a super-flat precision surface that does not require polishing and can be rolled up. Moreover, the possibilities offered by overflow technology will enable us to expand our range to include an even larger (10th generation) and thinner (50 μm) products.
Precision drawing
Feeding a glass preform into a heater and then drawing the softened glass at constant speeds creates a product with a cross-sectional shape similar to that of the preform. Since the dimensional precision is maintained if the dimensions are made smaller, minute high-precision products can be created.
High-quality re-pressing
Glass that has already been formed is heated at a temperature close to its softening point and then pressed to achieve the desired shape. One feature of our re-pressing technology is that the glass maintains its original surface quality.
Manufacturing equipment for ultra-large products
NEG has long been working to develop advanced production facilities for ultra-large substrate glass required for LCD and PDP displays. These efforts earned NEG the technical award from the Ceramic Society of Japan for achievements in industrial ceramic technology, granted for “Neoceram” ultra large plate manufacturing technology. This is used in the world’s largest large-format setter (2.2 x 2.5 m), which is employed in the PDP manufacturing process. NEG’s advanced forming technology, which is based on thermofluid analysis, continues to gain particular attention.
Processing
Precision polishing of sheet glass
Extraordinary results are now possible: polishing for ultra-thin sheets, to a high degree of flatness, and to a high surface finish.
Highly reflective film formed by a sputtering method
Our thin film forming technology allows highly efficient reflection and extremely low degrees of scattering for high-intensity reflector lamps used in projectors.
Digital coloring
Various colors are applied utilizing the interference of light reflected by a transparent film and by the surface of a metal film applied to objects. The tone of color can be adjusted through numerical control of the thickness of the transparent film. Since pigments are not used for coloring, the glass can be easily recycled.
