APS Holdings forming ultra high resolution FMM research line

Firm aiming to achieve 3000ppi 

2022-06-16     Gijong Lee
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APS Holdings was forming a research line for ultra high resolution fine metal mask (FMM) for application in augmented and virtual reality (AR, VR) MicroOLED displays, TheElec has learned.

Its subsidiary APS Materials was building the line at Cheonan.

The aim is to make an FMM that can allow for 3000ppi (pixels per inch) resolution OLED production, sources said.

The research line will support the deposition of MicroOLED material and encapsulation.

APS Materials had used third parties for deposition and encapsulation in the past for FMM that can support 1000ppi. It is now handling both processes itself for 3000ppi.

Upping the resolution will likely require the company to adopt new laser equipment.

APS Materials had previously said it plans to use laser instead of wet etching process done conventionally now for FMM production to achieve higher resolutions.

Resolution from 3000ppi to 4000ppi is enough to manufacture 1-inch MicroOLED displays that can be used for AR and VR devices.

APS Holdings is also part of a national project to develop an AR glass with a 4000ppi resolution by 2024.

APS Materials is also part of a government project to develop a 600ppi FMM stick for half-cut Gen 6 substrates.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Dai Nippon Printing is the world leader in FMM and it uses invar from Hitachi Metal to make them.

The Japanese firm uses wet etching to manufacture its FMM, which it supplies to Samsung Display and LG Display.

FMMs are masked used to deposit organic materials on the substrate.