The 4JET Group (Alsdorf, Germany), which develops innovative laser systems for cleaning, structuring, marking, cutting, and modifying materials to produce high-quality component surfaces, has introduced new versions of its PEARL laser glass cutting systems and installed several machines, with international customers, since the beginning of 2021. The innovations go beyond the scope of laser glass cutting, which is mostly used in the manufacturing of small- to medium-sized display cover glasses used in consumer and automotive electronics.
The new PEARL M-UTG is used for cutting ultra-thin flexible glass in a fully automated processing line, enabling the high yield cutting of glass foils as thin as 30 µm with excellent breaking strength. Potential applications are vast for flexible glass in growth markets such as consumer electronics, medical, and semiconductor applications.
Among recent PEARL systems installed recently are those to cut very large glass sheets or glass stacks. These are capable of cutting glass with a size of up to 2.2 m width and more than 3 m length. For the first time, it is possible to use the advantages of laser glass cutting on large mother glass sheets for smart windows.
The 4JET solutions integrate the cutting process close to delicate coating and printing processes by eliminating the need for messy mechanical scoring and washing processes. Additional benefits are the extremely precise dimensional accuracy and the ability to create complex cutting geometries, including notches.
The PEARL system’s granite machine platform offers accuracy and long-term stability. The specific tuning of the axis controllers results in a high cutting speed with excellent path accuracy to achieve high-precision outer contours in the end product. The focus is always within the process window without increasing the process time.
The combination of laser process technology, optics, image processing, automation, and software creates integrated machine solutions for industrial production. Customers include global market leaders in the tire, glass, and photovoltaic industries. The company, founded in 2006, employs 140 people at its headquarters, as well as subsidiaries in Shanghai (China); Atlanta, GA; and Prutting, Germany.
Further information can be found at 4jet.de.