Optics

World's largest thin-film coating system installed by Leybold Optics

March 24, 2011

Alzenau, Germany--Leybold Optics will install what it says is the world's largest thin-film coating system for SageGlass, an electronically tintable "dynamic" glass.

Gail Overton

Alzenau, Germany--Leybold Optics will install what it says is the world's largest thin-film coating system for glass production at SAGE Electrochromic's new high-volume manufacturing facility in Faribault, MN. The record-breaking coating line will be more than 150 meters long, contain more than 200 turbomolecular pumps, and feature a new twin sputter deposition system that operates at high substrate temperatures, among other technological breakthroughs.

SAGE will use the system for high-volume production of SageGlass, the world's most energy-efficient window glass. SageGlass is an electronically tintable "dynamic" glass for use in building windows and skylights. The glass can be switched from clear to darkly tinted at the touch of a button, or programmed to respond to changing sunlight and heat conditions. This revolutionary technology significantly reduces energy consumption and associated costs. The production start is planned for late 2012.

Leybold Optics says is proud to be selected for this pioneering project and says the company proves to be the first mover when it comes to the conversion of new technology into industrial production equipment. Leybold Optics says its unique combination of know-how in the fields of display, photovoltaic, and architectural glass coating systems provides Leybold Optics with the ideal skill for this reference installation.

SOURCE: Leybold Optics; www.leyboldoptics.com/cms/upload/downloads/Press_Releases/Solar/S_SAGE_Contract_closed_on_January_24th.pdf

About the Author

Gail Overton | Senior Editor (2004-2020)

Gail has more than 30 years of engineering, marketing, product management, and editorial experience in the photonics and optical communications industry. Before joining the staff at Laser Focus World in 2004, she held many product management and product marketing roles in the fiber-optics industry, most notably at Hughes (El Segundo, CA), GTE Labs (Waltham, MA), Corning (Corning, NY), Photon Kinetics (Beaverton, OR), and Newport Corporation (Irvine, CA). During her marketing career, Gail published articles in WDM Solutions and Sensors magazine and traveled internationally to conduct product and sales training. Gail received her BS degree in physics, with an emphasis in optics, from San Diego State University in San Diego, CA in May 1986.