Phoenix, Arizona, March 24, 2004 - The Gen-3 TLC Phoenix-600^® High-Accuracy Mechanical Rectilinear/SHAPES Glass Cutter will debut at the SID 2004 International Symposium and Exhibition at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle May 25-27. In production less than one month, TLC's third generation machine is already creating a sensation throughout the glass cutting industry for singulation of thin, flat glass parts - both single sheet and laminates.

As the TLC equipment cuts circular, curvilinear, and rectilinear (X-Y) parts, its multifunctionality is easily incorporated into production lines for a wide variety of specialty micro-sized glass components. With the microelectronics industry constantly moving towards smaller, thinner and lighter glass substrates for displays, photonics, optics, sensors and a host of other products, it has long presented a problem for the glass cutting industry, which generally had limitations of cutting 0.012"/0.30 mm thick substrates. Until now, thinner substrates produced poor yields and high production costs.

The TLC Phoenix-600^® is quickly gaining worldwide recognition, especially for processing ultra-thin microsheet. The most recent progress has been to establish successful parameters to produce a repeatable process for cutting 0.006"/0.15 mm microsheet substrates with high yields - still using a carbide wheel. Pressed even further by weight limitations, the aerospace industry has asked TLC to continue research in cutting 0.003"/0.075 mm microsheet glass using a diamond stylus.

Some time ago, a customer asked TLC to develop a process to cut 0.027"/0.70 mm glass into 0.040"/1.0 mm X 0.040"/1.0 mm squares, still maintaining part polarity after singulation. A successful formula was developed. More recently, TLC was asked to develop a process to cut 0.35"/9.0 mm circles out of 0.043"/1.1 mm Borofloat with a tolerance of +0.002".  Evaluation analysis of test results was quite favorable and afterbreak edge tolerance met qualification specifications.

To reduce contamination, TLC has perfected formulas to cut through protective polymer membranes (Nitto^® tape or similar coatings) and the glass at the same time, leaving the protective layer on the glass until it is placed into its final application or component.

With the introduction of the Gen-3 TLC Phoenix-600^®, TLC decidedly anticipates meeting the ever-increasing difficult challenges of thin, flat  technical/specialty glass cutting industries.

For further information on TLC's equipment, service and technology, please contact Maribeth V. Linden, VP Global Sales/Marketing, +1 602 866-8208 X201, or e-mail.