Frequently asked Questions
What is ultrathin glass and how thin can it be?
Ultrathin glass refers to glass with a thickness below 0.3mm. MDI processes ultrathin glass from as thin as 0.030mm (30µm) up to 0.2mm – thinner than a human hair.
At these thicknesses, glass behaves almost like a flexible material and requires completely different processing methods compared to standard glass. Conventional mechanical tools simply cannot handle it without cracking or chipping.
What types of ultrathin glass does MDI process?
MDI processes a wide range of ultrathin glass types, including:
- Borosilicate glass (e.g. SCHOTT D 263)
- Aluminosilicate glass
- Alkali-free display glass
- Coated and TCO (transparent conductive oxide) glass
- Flexible glass substrates for roll-to-sheet applications
If you are unsure whether your specific glass type is compatible, contact us with your material specifications and we will advise you directly.
How does MDI’s experience make a difference for ultrathin glass?
MDI Advanced Processing was founded in 2005 as a joint venture between Mitsuboshi Diamond Industrial – the world’s leading manufacturer of glass cutting machines – and SCHOTT AG, one of the most respected specialty glass producers globally. This combination of machine engineering expertise and deep glass material knowledge is unique in the industry.
With 90+ years of glass cutting heritage and 30+ years of laser glass processing experience, MDI brings a level of process knowledge to ultrathin glass that most equipment suppliers simply cannot match. We understand not just the machines, but the material itself.
What cutting methods are available for ultrathin glass?
MDI offers two main approaches for ultrathin glass processing:
- Mechanical scribing & breaking – using precision cutting wheels specifically engineered for ultrathin glass. Our Penett® and APIO® wheels, and the SOLID-D® tool, generate controlled scores resulting in mirror-quality edges with no particles and no micro-cracks.
- Laser cutting – using green (532nm), picosecond IR or CO2 laser technology for contactless, dry cutting. Laser processing applies no mechanical force to the glass.
The best method depends on your glass type, thickness, required edge quality, and production volume. We help you identify the right solution.
What is SOLID-D® and what makes it different from standard cutting wheels?
SOLID-D® is a cutting tool developed by Mitsuboshi Diamond Industrial specifically for ultra-thin glass. It achieves results that standard cutting wheels simply cannot match:
- No particles, no micro-cracks – significantly reduces glass damage during subsequent processing steps and transportation
- Bending strength of 1GPa after cutting – making truly flexible and bendable glass a commercial reality
- Mirror-quality cutting edges – no post-processing required after cutting
- Ultra precision and high verticality – highest efficiency for cutting small chips
- Same tool processes both 50µm and 100µm glass – no retooling required
- Achieves a bending radius as small as R≈1.5mm when used with resin laminated glass (PET + glass stack)
The SOLID-D® tool mounts on MDI’s TGS650 CE machine and is the go-to solution for flexible glass applications including foldable displays, flexible touch sensors, flexible lighting, and flexible PV cells.
What is the minimum thickness MDI can process?
MDI processes ultrathin glass from 0.030mm (30µm).
For reference, a standard sheet of office paper is approximately 100µm thick – our minimum is roughly one third of that. At 30µm, the glass must be handled with extreme care, and our systems are engineered to avoid any stress that could cause fracture.
What industries use ultrathin glass processing?
Ultrathin glass is a critical material in several high-growth industries:
- Consumer electronics – smartphone cover glass, camera lenses, fingerprint sensor covers
- Display technology – OLED and LCD display substrates, touch panel overlays
- Flexible electronics – foldable display panels, flexible touch sensor panels, flexible lighting
- Photovoltaics – thin-film solar cell substrates, flexible PV cells
- Semiconductor & microelectronics – wafer-level packaging, MEMS devices
- Medical devices – lab-on-chip substrates, microfluidic systems, diagnostic slides
- Automotive – HUD (heads-up display) glass, in-cabin display overlays
- Small glass windows – architectural and specialty applications
Can I test MDI’s ultrathin glass processing before investing in a machine?
Yes. MDI operates a dedicated job shop where you can have your first batches of ultrathin glass processed without purchasing any equipment. This is the ideal way to validate the process, test edge quality, and confirm yield rates before committing to a capital investment.
Simply send us your glass specifications and required geometry and we will produce samples for your evaluation. Contact us at sales@mdi-ap.com to get started.
What edge quality can be achieved with ultrathin glass cutting?
With the SOLID-D® cutting tool, ultrathin glass edges achieve mirror quality – visually flawless surfaces with zero particles and zero micro-cracks, plus a bending strength of 1GPa after cutting. This enables truly flexible glass applications with bending radii as small as R≈1.5mm when combined with resin lamination. No post-processing is required after cutting.
