Structured glass portfolio: SCHOTT FLEXINITY now more precise than ever before
SCHOTT (Mainz, Germany), inventor of specialty glass and optical technology pioneer, has broadened its structured glass wafer portfolio FLEXINITY for diverse industry applications. SCHOTT’s structured glass wafer and sheet portfolio FLEXINITY® is now reported to provide the highest precision products on the market, with tolerances below 20 microns (± 10 micron), the widest range of thickness and widths. Wafers and sheets are available at thickness as low as 0.1 mm, up to 3.3mm. Ultra-wide diameter wafers are also available, up to 12 inches, with larger products available through special orders. SCHOTT’s diverse portfolio of glass types and strong glass structuring competency allow tailored solutions for applications in a large number of sectors, such as semicon & sensing, pressure sensors, camera imaging, optoelectronic and RF/IC packaging, biotechnology & diagnostics and sustainable energy. With a new production line in Penang, Malaysia, SCHOTT FLEXINITY offers full partnership from product design and development to mass production.
Innovations in emerging application fields are pushing the demands for structured glass wafers, each with unique challenges and material requirements. The trend of miniaturisation and the need for higher precision continue to drive growth in advanced manufacturing of electronic components. Big leaps in technology depend on high-precision structured glass wafers to enable smaller components capable of higher performance. To support today's highly agile development cycles with rapidly changing test designs, the highest flexibility and speed is essential for component suppliers, including for test samples.
The groundbreaking structure of SCHOTT FLEXINITY delivers an unmatched precision, vital for the precise positioning and alignment in high-tech applications. Tight tolerances below 20 microns (± 10 micron) ensure perfect alignment with partner components and realisation of a high-precision system. Thanks to the strength and reliability of its structuring elements, the product contributes to high yields during integration and efficiency of all its applications.
SCHOTT FLEXINITY allows engineers and product developers to customise the physical and chemical properties of wafers to meet the demands of existing or developing applications. This is coupled with an almost unlimited choice of through-structure elements in number and geometry. Also, customers can choose from diverse glass types, including borosilicate glass (D 263 family, MEMpax, BOROFLOAT 33) and alkali-free glass (AF 32 eco).
Solutions can be tailor-made with any combination of bulk properties, microstructure designs, dimensions, surface quality and strength demanded by the application. Thanks to decades of experience with various industry applications, SCHOTT experts can find a solution that answers customers’ particular material challenge.
“Component manufacturers seek more precise and highly customisable solutions,” said Dr Ulrich Peuchert, global business development & product manager at SCHOTT Special Flat Glass & Wafer team. “At SCHOTT, we understand customers’ different needs thanks to our strong scientific competency and familiarity of end applications. Our joint team of experts from R&D and technical services can find a unique way to support each customer’s vision. We can be part of customers’ development roadmap to enable product improvements or even revolutionary new solutions.”
The new production line in Penang, Malaysia, is now fully operating on mass production scale to supply customers globally.
Caption: SCHOTT’s FLEXINITY structured glass wafers (photo: SCHOTT)