Nikon has invested three billion yen (US$82.3 million; US$1=109.3 yen) into developing LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel equipment that will be compatible with 7.5 generation substrates. The equipment will be shipped as early as fall 2005.

 

A core technology in LCD panel manufacturing, LCD lithography prints TFTs (Thin Film Transistors) onto glass substrates. Canon presently ships the largest equipment, tailored to cut seventh generation substrates measuring 1.9 x 2.2 meters. Once successfully developed, Nikon's next-generation equipment will be able to process glass substrates measuring 2.2 x 2.4 meters.

 

Nikon, which leads in sixth generation equipment development, supplies to Sharp, while Canon's seventh generation units are supplied to S-LCD, the joint-venture between Sony and Samsung.