Advances in Corning Laser Technologies’ NanoPerforation Improve 3D Glass Processing

Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) announced today it has enhanced its unique nanoPerforation glass cutting technology to better suit 3D cutting applications.

New capabilities developed by Corning Laser Technologies (CLT) will help designers better address the worldwide trend toward utilizing curved glass surfaces in various industries, including consumer mobile devices and automobile interiors.

Corning experts will show a video of the new nanoPerforation glass cutting technology at Laser World of Photonics 2019, one of the industry’s largest tradeshows dedicated to photonic technologies and laser applications in the world.

The show, held every two years, is June 24 through 27, at Messe München in Munich, Germany. The new nanoPerforation glass-cutting designs meet the challenging aspects of freeform and 3D cutting, which are very difficult to achieve with traditional mechanical scribe and break (MS&B) or grinding processes.

Corning’s enhanced technology uses ultrashort pulsed lasers, which cut glass through localized perforation rather than material ablation. As successfully shown in multiple 2D glass applications, this results in smooth, very high-quality cuts at high processing speeds and accuracy. Corning is proud to announce this development in nanoPerforation that now enables the cutting of 3D shaped glass.

To achieve perpendicular cuts, an especially fast and highly precise CLT 5-axis beam delivery system has been developed. It combines two high-speed rotating axes with a fast X-, Y- and Z-motion system. The new system – the CLT 43D – joins Corning’s extensive glass-cutting platforms and is set up to accurately cut 3D­­ shaped glasses of up to 1200 mm x 700 mm x 300 mm in size. The CLT solution enables freeform, accurate cutting, which allows for optimized processing steps with reduced complexity. Thanks to the high-edge quality of the nanoPerforation process, there is little, or no post processing required. CLT nanoPerforation is not only more flexible, but it allows new, innovative part design.

"The CLT 43D, with its 3D glass-cutting capability, provides industrial designers an additional degree of freedom in a variety of applications," said Michael Mueller, CLT business director. “Our latest solution leverages more than 20 years of experience in precision laser machining, along with more than 150 years of material science expertise, that we can uniquely offer customers.” 

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About Corning Incorporated
Corning is one of the world's leading innovators in materials science, with a more than 165-year track record of life-changing inventions. Corning applies its unparalleled expertise in glass science, ceramic science, and optical physics along with its deep manufacturing and engineering capabilities to develop category-defining products that transform industries and enhance people's lives. Corning succeeds through sustained investment in RD&E, a unique combination of material and process innovation, and deep, trust-based relationships with customers who are global leaders in their industries.

Corning's capabilities are versatile and synergistic, which allows the company to evolve to meet changing market needs, while also helping our customers capture new opportunities in dynamic industries. Today, Corning's markets include optical communications, mobile consumer electronics, display technology, automotive, and life sciences vessels. Corning's industry-leading products include damage-resistant cover glass for mobile devices; precision glass for advanced displays; optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions for state-of-the-art communications networks; trusted products to accelerate drug discovery and delivery; and clean-air technologies for cars and trucks.

08.07.2019, Corning Inc.