Laser Etching Touch Panel Manufacturing Reducing Exposure Errors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for manufacturing touch panels face challenges in mass production due to exposure errors and high costs associated with using masks for small-sized tempered glass substrates, which require precise alignment and assembly, leading to inefficiencies and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the assembly of small-sized substrates into a carrier with grooves, followed by a laser etching process to form a touch structure layer, and subsequent separation of the substrates from the carrier, reducing exposure errors and facilitating mass production by utilizing laser etching for higher precision and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If mask and exposing processes are used for manufacturing touch panels, then the touch panel can be manufactured with defined patterns, but the exposure error increases and manufacturing cost increases due to the need for precise alignment of small-sized substrates with the carrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical mask alignment system with a direct laser etching system. Instead of using masks that require precise mechanical alignment with the carrier, the laser etching process directly patterns the substrates while they are assembled in the carrier, eliminating the alignment step and reducing exposure error.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the substrate assembly into the carrier before the patterning process. By assembling the substrates into the carrier first, the alignment and positioning are established in advance, and then the laser etching is performed on the already-positioned substrates, eliminating the need for subsequent alignment adjustments.
2Manufacturing precision
If mask and exposing processes are used for manufacturing touch panels, then the touch panel can be manufactured with defined patterns, but the manufacturing cost increases due to the expense of masks and alignment procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive mask and exposing system with a laser etching system. The laser etching process directly writes the patterns onto the substrates without requiring physical masks, thereby eliminating mask costs and the associated alignment procedures, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining pattern definition quality.
3Productivity
If small-sized substrates are assembled into a carrier for manufacturing, then mass production can be facilitated, but the alignment of mask and carrier becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the substrate assembly into the carrier before the patterning process. By assembling the substrates into the carrier first, the alignment and positioning are established in advance, and then the laser etching is performed on the already-positioned substrates, eliminating the need for subsequent alignment adjustments and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical mask alignment system with a direct laser etching system. Instead of using masks that require precise mechanical alignment with the carrier, the laser etching process directly patterns the substrates while they are assembled in the carrier, eliminating the alignment step and reducing time loss.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces exposure errors and costs, enabling high-yield, cost-effective mass production of small-sized touch panels by leveraging the precision of laser etching to form precise patterns on each substrate without the need for complex mask alignment.
Implementation Method 1
forming a touch structure layer on the plurality of substrates simultaneously by a laser etching process
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 2C~2F
Figure 2G~2H
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a touch panel, comprising: assembling a plurality of small-sized substrates into the carrier, then etching the film formed on the substrates by a laser etching process to form a touch layer structure, and then separating the finished touch panel substrates from the carrier, thereby reducing the exposure error caused in the exposure process using mask, and facilitating the mass production of small-sized touch panels.