UPDATED. 2024-03-28 05:14 (목)
Samsung Display’s policy to exclude Toptec OLED 3D Lami equipment
Samsung Display’s policy to exclude Toptec OLED 3D Lami equipment
  • JY HAN
  • 승인 2018.11.20 22:06
  • 댓글 0
이 기사를 공유합니다

APsystem is a beneficiary, Plans for the 3D Lami equipment to modularize and block
Samsung Electronics Galaxy S9, Note Edge OLED panel applied with the Edge OLED panel performs post-processing with the 3D laminator equipment.
Samsung Electronics Galaxy S9, Note Edge OLED panel applied with the Edge OLED panel performs post-processing with the 3D laminator equipment.

It has been reported that Samsung Display has decided in their new equipment purchasing policy to exclude equipment produced by Toptec, due to suspicions that the company has leaked technology in the past.

According to the industry on the 20th, Samsung Display plans to change the procurement of '3D laminator', which is the core post-processing equipment for edge organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel production, to APsystem. They have also planned to modularize and block important parts so that they can outsource production when needed. It was reported that they have begun specifying the work.

Samsung Display has been exclusively supplied 3D laminator equipment from Toptec. Although the equipment was produced by Toptec, the details of production planning, core design and structure were handed over to Samsung Display or developed cooperatively. Originally, one Japanese company was involved in such joint development. However, the cost of Japanese equipment was high, so Samsung Display selected only the Toptec equipment to utilize.

Under the terms of the “Joint Development” agreement of two companies, Toptec could not sell their equipment to other companies.

Lee Jae-hwan, chairman of Toptec.
Lee Jae-hwan, chairman of Toptec.

However, on the 14th  of last month, prosecutors announced that they had searched Toptec’s headquarters due to accusations of technology leakage. The prosecution believes that Toptec sold 3D laminator equipment to China and leaked technology. It is said that Toptec has made a paper company using its relatives and has already sold 3D laminator equipment to China's BOE through this company. The government also delayed the awarding of chairman of Toptec, Lee Jae-hwan's Bronze Tower Industrial Medal on October 1, 'Display Day'.

Samsung Display has already confirmed such activities in the first half of this year, and begun to diversify its equipment suppliers. It is said that APsystem has already completed development of 3D laminator equipment according to Samsung Display’s inquiry. Although an official order has not yet been issued, it is reported that Samsung Display will restart investing in the module process line and that APsystem’s equipment will be arranged for .

An industry insider said, "APsystem tried to sell equipment to China and set their relationship with Samsung apart... however, the court ruled APsystem not guilty. Also Kim Young-joo from Samsung Corning became the CEO and they became strongly linked again.”

The 3D laminator is one of the essential pieces of equipment for implementing edge OLED displays with curved edges of the screen. Unlike flat laminate equipment, the 3D laminator applies a special technique that prevents the curved area of the end of screen from rising.

An industry insider of display post-processing equipment said, “Sticking (laminator), pressing to remove air bubbles (crave), hardening by UV (curing) are the procedures of display module processing” and “out of all these, Lami equipment is the core of cores.” And another insider mentioned “Lami equipment will be excluded, however, since  Toptec holds world-class technology in some automation component control areas, it's not likely that the business will be completely terminated.”

Toptec recorded sales of 1 trillion 128.4 billion KRW and revenue of 211.7 billion KRW on the back of Samsung Display's investment expansion last year. Sales leaped up to 189% and revenue to 404%. However, sales for the first half of this year are 206.9 billion KRW and revenue is 14.2 billion KRW each of which have decreased to 70.8% and 90.1% compared to the first half of last year. Although Samsung Display's investment has decreased, it is mostly concerned with orders from the major client, Samsung Display will be cut off due to the accusation of technology leakage.


댓글삭제
삭제한 댓글은 다시 복구할 수 없습니다.
그래도 삭제하시겠습니까?
댓글 0
댓글쓰기
계정을 선택하시면 로그인·계정인증을 통해
댓글을 남기실 수 있습니다.

  • 515, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea 4F, Ahsung Bldg.
  • 대표전화 : 82-2-2658-4707
  • 팩스 : 82-2-2659-4707
  • 청소년보호책임자 : Stan LEE
  • 법인명 : The Elec Inc.
  • 제호 : THE ELEC, Korea Electronics Industry Media
  • 등록번호 : 서울, 아05435
  • 등록일 : 2018-10-15
  • 발행일 : 2018-10-15
  • 발행인 : JY HAN
  • 편집인 : JY HAN
  • THE ELEC, Korea Electronics Industry Media Prohibiting unauthorized duplication,publishing,modification and distribution the material on this Site for any purpose.
  • Copyright © 2024 THE ELEC, Korea Electronics Industry Media. All rights reserved. mail to powerusr@thelec.kr
ND소프트