Tag Archive: glass manufacturing

1. Four Key Applications for Glass Wafers

   August 27, 2018 6:50 pm Leave a Comment

   Glass wafers are circular pieces of precision glass used in numerous technical and industrial applications. Swift Glass’s wafer fabrication process utilizes proprietary technologies to deliver the finely-made components required by our customers in a range of demanding industries.

   High-quality glass material is selected, then the wafer is carefully shaped via cutting and grinding processes, then further machined to create the wafer’s edge profile and detailing, followed by finishing processes such as lapping and polishing. Each wafer is subjected to a highly controlled inspection process using precision laser measuring equipment to gauge total thickness variation and ensure it is within accepted tolerances.

   Below, learn how glass wafer technology is being utilized in four popular sectors: MEMs and electronics, semiconductors, biotechnology, and integrated circuit (IC) packaging.

   MEMs and Electronics

   The microelectronic mechanical systems (MEMS) and electronics industries utilize glass wafer fabrication in wafer packaging and as substrate carriers. In MEMS and electronics applications, glass wafers are used in wafer packaging of sensitive components, due to their superior functionality and extreme reliability over time and in the face of harsh environments.

   As a carrier substrate, glass is chosen due to qualities such as thermal stability and chemical resistance. In the medical device industry, these wafers are used to facilitate gas-tight MEMS enclosures.

   Semiconductors

   Glass wafers are used as a carrier substrate in the production of semiconductor wafers, which are fabricated from more delicate materials that can easily bend or tear. The glass substrate component allows the semiconductor wafer to be handled safely in spite of its delicate, thin qualities. Glass is chosen for its superior chemical and thermal stability, and the possibility of reuse can reduce cost and environmental impacts for some applications.

   As the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to expand rapidly, the glass wafer semiconductor market is expected to grow more than six percent between 2018 to 2022. There is significant crossover between semiconductors and other sectors. For example, semiconductors (and the wafers they contain) are used in a variety of MEMS and consumer electronics featuring IoT connectivity.

   Biotechnology

   Wafer fabrication produces glass substrates used in a variety of biotechnology applications. Borosilicate glass, a quality option in glass for medical devices, offers superior resistance to high levels of heat and energy, as well as radiation exposure, such as within X-ray equipment.

   Wafers are also used in the production of microfluidic chips using nanoimprint lithography, where glass acts as a substrate. Glass offers the clear optical transparency required in many biotechnology applications, making it a common choice for use as a capping layer over devices made from silicon. Wafer bonding processes such as anodic and thermal bonding create a hermetic seal.

   Integrated Circuit (IC) Packaging

   Glass wafers are used in a variety of integrated circuit (IC) packaging applications, acting as a substrate to deliver better performance and cost effectiveness. Glass vias (TGV) and wafer level glass capping (WLC) are improved packaging solutions that offer enhanced technical performance, thanks to specific glass properties including stiffness and roughness under 0.5 nm rms. Glass protects the IC against impact and corrosion while holding the contract pins and leads that connect it to external circuits.

    

   Learn More About Glass Wafer Fabrication

   Swift Glass produces a wide range of precision glass wafers to meet the unique specifications of your application. Learn more about our glass wafer fabrication process and request a quote for wafer fabrication today.

   

2. How Much Does Glass Cost? 3 Important Factors

   July 19, 2016 8:03 am Leave a Comment

   If you’ve ever wondered why your glass order was quoted at a certain number, you are not alone.

   “What makes up the cost of my glass?” is one of the most common questions we get here at Swift Glass.

   There are a variety of factors that contribute to the price of a glass part — the quantity of the order and the size of your glass piece being the two most obvious factors. Here are three other notable considerations.

   Shape

   Advances in manufacturing technology have led to advances in glass shaping capabilities. Processes like state-of-the-art glass drilling, waterjet cutting, and computer numerical control (CNC) machining can all be applied to glass shaping.

   Today, glass parts can have virtually any shape, from standards like squares and circles to highly complex organic, irregular, and geometrical shapes. The more complex the shape of your glass, however, the more advanced technologies required to produce it. The use of advanced machining processes adds to your glass prices.

   Edgework

   There are many different forms of edgework that you could specify for your glass part, and they all have an impact on the price of glass.

   The most basic edgework, a simple cut, is required for virtually every glass part as a matter of course, and will have minimal to no impact on the cost of glass.

   Cut and swipe, a swipe being a very slight bevel, will increase your glass price modestly. Very complex edge grinding, such as special or custom bevels, could increase the cost of glass considerably.

   Strengthening & Tempering

   Strengthening and tempering procedures — additional steps performed after your parts are cut — increase your glass prices. If your glass parts are going to be used in a challenging environment and face exposure to extreme heat, pressure, stresses, or chemicals, a strengthening processes is likely required.

   Chemical strengthening processes are best for glass that will encounter wind load and thermal stress, while thermal tempering is ideal for glass that will be used in high pressure, high heat, and explosive environments.

   Get More Price Factors

   The glass price factors here are only a small sample — there are dozens of considerations that go into the price of a glass quote. To learn more about the different ways glass cost is determined, download Swift Glass’s latest guide, What Affects the Price of My Glass?

   Learn how your glass quote is calculated Download the Guide >

3. Swift Glass Acquires FJ Gray Division of Gray Glass

   January 26, 2016 2:28 pm Leave a Comment

   ELMIRA, N.Y. — January 2016 — Swift Glass, a worldwide leader in the manufacturing of quality fabricated custom glass parts, has purchased the FJ Gray Division of Gray Glass in Queens Village, New York.

   The FJ Gray Division comprises the industrial, optical, specialty lighting, and educational glass fabrication segments of Gray Glass. Swift Glass began to fabricate, ship, and invoice work for FJ Gray on January 1, 2016. All new order processing, quotes, and product fabrication will now take place at the FJ Gray Division of Swift Glass Company in Elmira Heights, New York.

   Since 1946, FJ Gray and Company has been a leading global custom glass specialist offering precision glass and industrial glass products. For Swift Glass customers, this acquisition brings a lineup of product offerings that complement their existing capabilities, including tempered glass, scientific glassware, gauge glass, tubing and rod, borosilicate, welder’s glass, and a host of other specialty glass products.

   FJ Gray has extensive experience working with engineers, scientists, designers, and OEMs like Boeing, NASA, the US Military, the US Government, and a number of large corporations engaged in scientific research, aviation, and aerospace.

   About Swift Glass

   Swift Glass is a privately owned worldwide leader in the manufacturing of quality fabricated glass parts.

   An ISO 9001:2008 certified and ITAR registered company, Swift Glass offers assistance in material selection, craftsmanship, design and custom solutions while possessing the utmost devotion to precision and quality.

   Glass manufacturing capabilities include chemical strengthening, thermal tempering, polishing, edge grinding, drilling and more. Swift Glass works with leading glass manufacturers such as Corning, Schott and GE and stocks a wide range of materials that allow us to respond quickly to customer needs.

4. Check Out Our Chemically-Strengthened Glass at Optifab 2015

   October 9, 2015 8:00 am Leave a Comment

   Swift Glass will be joining its glass manufacturing peers at the prestigious SPIE Optifab 2015 exhibition and conference next week in Rochester, New York.

   

   The SPIE Optifab exhibition is the largest optical fabrication event in North America and acts as a forum to share and discuss the latest techniques and tools for the optical fabrication industry.

   The event includes over 100 technical talks, covering glass manufacturing topics such as grinding and polishing, optical fabrication of freeform surfaces, metrology, optical materials, cleaning and coating, optical design, optical engineering, meter-class optics, and molded optics.

   Swift Glass will be bringing our knowledge of glass fabrication to the forefront in our own exhibition. We will showcase a piece of chemically-straightened glass at Booth 504, and will have a team of highly skilled and experienced employees on hand to answer questions and provide information about the capabilities that we specialize in.

   Optifab 2015 takes place from October 12-15 at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center, located at 123 E Main St. in Rochester, New York. Presentations will run from 8am until 6pm, daily.

   Come join us in celebrating optical fabrication and learn about all the capabilities and materials Swift Glass works with. Contact us today to learn more about the event.