- 17 February 2005 -

EV Group gets flexible

Expanding its presence in the US and Arizona, EV Group has formally opened its new North American HQ in Tempe, Arizona, with a state-of-the-art Class 10 production cleanroom.

The new facility, designed to serve the company’s expanding North American customer base, will be used by EV Group for sales and support of its diverse line of tools for producing electronic devices, such as semiconductors and flat-panel displays (FPDs), and for development of nanotechnology production techniques.

EV Group also will use the facility to conduct joint development work with the Flexible Display Center (FDC), sponsored by Arizona State University (ASU) and the US Army.

EV Group is providing a large-area spray coater and developer to the center’s GenII automated production line, which uses 14x18" glass substrates.
An EVG850 Laminator and Temporary Bonder, and an EVG850 Debonder also will be installed on the FDC’s 6" process line.

EV Group will work closely with all other partners to develop thin and flexible computer screens for both military and commercial applications.

CEO Dr Peter Podesser, noted that the Tempe facility will be EV Group’s largest installation outside of the company’s worldwide headquarters in Schärding, Austria.

“We are honored to participate in programs like the FDC, where our know-how can help solve some of the greatest technical challenges of the day, and where we can expand our work with some of the best minds in the global display industry.”

The FDC, a $43.7m cooperative agreement between the US Army Research Laboratory and ASU, is working on developing flexible computer screens that can be integrated as part of a soldier’s uniform, or rolled up and carried in a soldier’s pocket.

The agreement has a performance period of five years with an option for an additional $50m over an added five-year period, according to the US Army News Service.