Kodak has revealed details of its work with UniPixel, the US developer of ‘next generation’ sensor screens.
Rebranded products – “powered by Kodak’ – will be in volume production before the end of this year, the partners say.
Newly developed pro‐cap, multi‐touch sensor film – previously named after the UniBoss manufacturing process – has been renamed and cobranded as ‘InTouch Sensors Powered by Kodak’, reflecting contributions of the two companies.
Global market introduction has been driven by multimillion-dollar preferred price and capacity licenses executed with two Fortune 100 companies.
“The product continues to gain interest throughout the entire touch module market segment with numerous active customer engagements for smartphones, tablets, ultrabooks, notebooks and all‐in‐one touch sensor solutions,” says a spokesman.
Two new plating lines have been delivered to UniPixel’s Texas facility and calibrated to support the UniBoss production process, trebling the number being used for commercial production trials.
Equipment capacity has also been ramped up equipment capacity at Kodak’s Rochester, New York, facility with installation of the first printing line there. Four plating lines and two printing lines will be operational by the fourth quarter of 2013, the company says. Kodak and UniPixel are planning to build out equipment capacity throughout 2014 to support anticipated increasing demand, and are planning to expand the Rochester site by adding additional plating lines while increasing throughput via continuous process improvement.
Kodak chief executive Antonio Perez says Kodak and UniPixel are working together, quickly approaching the global market rollout of a functionally printed touch‐screen sensor.
“In light of the initial interest for this product, we believe this solution has the potential to shake up this large and growing market,” he says. “The superior technologies that both companies are contributing to this product will enable us to produce and deliver touch‐screen sensors at the very highest level of quality, durability and value and exemplify the kind of breakthrough solutions to be expected from the new Kodak.”
UniPixel president and chief executive Reed Killion says the Kodak name in the tagline reveals the important role its technology, development, and manufacturer partner is playing: “Given the substantial resources Kodak has applied to supporting our efforts, we remain on track to begin commercial production in the fourth quarter of 2013, and then ramp production volumes throughout 2014.”
Under the new InTouch Sensors brand, UniPixel and Kodak are in the process of bringing to market a touch‐sensor with a price and performance curve they say is unmatched in the industry.
Unique advantages of the metal mesh touch‐sensors are based on an additive, roll‐to‐roll, flexible electronics process as compared to the traditional subtractive ITO‐ based and subtractive ITO replacement‐based touch‐sensor solutions.
The UniBoss additive manufacturing process is more efficient and sustainable, promising lower production costs contrasted with standard ITO‐based touch technology due to lower material costs, fewer steps in the manufacturing process and a more simplified supply chain.
UniPixel is leveraging its manufacturing and supply chain agreement with Kodak for supply chain management, quality systems, as well as lab access and related resources for defect analysis, data collection, processing and metrology for commercial production. Additionally, Kodak research and development resources are working with UniPixel to integrate Kodak technologies such as high resolution deposition and material formulation expertise into the InTouch manufacturing process.
The two have begun discussions with several manufacturing companies in Asia that have expressed “strong interest” in setting up manufacturing capabilities for InTouch Sensors in their respective countries.
“The business environment and economics will determine exclusivity, and the vehicle by which the facilities would be funded and operated will determine how we move forward with this option,” Killion says.