Han's laser technology company is a laser processing machine manufacturer settled in Shenzhen. Its laser cutting machine for processing sapphire surface protection covers (used to protect smart phone screens, etc.) has been recognized by Apple Inc. of the United States. Received the order of the first batch of laser cutting machines of about 20 million dollars of apple. Han's Laser Forecasts said that the surface protection cover of the new generation of iPhone's high-end models will use sapphire material Note 1).

Note 1) Apple had previously used sapphire in the protective cover of the iPhone's camera and fingerprint authentication sensor, but it has never been used in a surface protective cover.

It is estimated that Han's Laser will provide Apple with the first batch of laser cutting machines in July and August 2014, and will directly deliver to Apple's mobile phone surface protection cover supplier, the factory of Changsha Lanstech.

From chemically strengthened glass to sapphire

The surface protection cover of the iPhone has always used the "Gorilla Glass" series of chemically strengthened glass manufactured by Corning Incorporated. Sapphire is characterized by being harder than the previous chemically strengthened glass and it is not easily scratched and cracked. By using sapphire, the thickness of the protective cover on the surface of the cell phone can be reduced. In addition, since the distance between the sensor electrode of the touch panel and the touch finger is shortened after the surface protection cover is thinned, the sensitivity of the touch panel can be improved.

Apple has taken steps to purchase sapphire materials. The company signed a multi-year exclusive supply agreement with GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT), which manufactures sapphire in November 2013. Apple will provide approximately 578 million U.S. dollars to GTAT, and GTAT plans to build stoves and equipment used to make sapphire in Apple's Arizona plant. Note 2).

Note 2) According to Han's laser introduction, Apple needs to use sapphire in the surface cover of smart phones, which requires 20 tons of raw materials per day. This is equivalent to the amount needed to produce 500,000 mobile phones per day. Moreover, only one GTAT company can provide the sapphire used for the smart phone surface protection cover. Taking into account the projected GTAT output, Han's laser forecast stated that “because sapphire production is small enough to meet the needs of the popular model of the new-generation iPhone, it is estimated that it will be adopted first on high-end models.”

The surface protection cover material of smart phones is changed from chemically strengthened glass to sapphire, and its material cutting machine has also changed. Diamond cutting machines have been used before to cut chemically strengthened glass. However, the use of a diamond cutter to cut sapphire having a hardness higher than that of chemically strengthened glass not only takes a long time, but also causes a problem that the yield is significantly reduced. With a laser processor, these problems can be solved. Note 3).

Note 3: The laser processing machine of Han's laser has been used to cut the thin-film sensor for touch panel applications. The company hopes to expand its business scope to the cutting and separation of surface protective covers to increase sales.

Apple is also very interested in chassis materials

In addition to the surface protection cover, Apple also intends to replace the shell material of a new generation of iPhone. Previously, aluminum, plastic, glass, and stainless steel have been used as the housing, but recently the company has become interested in ceramic housings. It can be proved that Han's laser has developed a laser cutting machine that can be used to cut ceramics for the shell, and has obtained Apple's approval. Ceramics are characterized by being harder, stronger, and lighter than the original material. (Author: Naoki Tanaka, Chen Nezu, Nikkei technology online feeds!)