The development of LED display devices is mainly divided into four stages. First, the dot matrix module appeared in the late 1980s, which was mainly used for graphics and text display in securities, banks, etc. Later, straight intubation appeared, which is more commonly used in large outdoor displays, squares, and stadiums. The products are represented by 346 and 546; Subsequently, the direct-plug series appeared, such as 265; from 2000 to 2005, SMT appeared, with representative devices such as 3528; in recent years, LED display packaging devices have been further miniaturized. In the field of small-pitch packaging, a new situation has emerged in which "surface-mount packaging is the mainstay and COB packaging is rapidly emerging". Representative devices of surface-mount packaging include 1010, etc.
As a midstream link in the LED industry chain, the packaging of LED devices plays an important role in the development of the LED industry. Among various application products based on LED devices, LED devices account for 40% to 70% of the total cost, and more than 70% of the performance of LED application products is often determined by the performance of the LED device.
In the production process of LED display screens, packaging is a very important part. The function of packaging is to connect the external leads to the electrodes of the LED chip, while protecting the LED chip and improving the luminous efficiency. The reliability of LED application products is closely related to the level of packaging technology. Good packaging can give LEDs better luminous efficiency and heat dissipation environment, thereby extending the life of LEDs.
Different from traditional LED displays, small-pitch LEDs are a high-density display. As the spacing continues to become smaller, the number of lamp beads required per square meter will rise sharply, and the density of lamp beads will become higher and higher, posing a serious test to its reliability. Small-pitch products have higher entry barriers and more stringent requirements for packaging technology, especially packaging materials and packaging processes.
In order to obtain better viewing effects, people's requirements for display screen images have changed from simple full-color to realistic and restored color authenticity. At the same time, it is also necessary to realize image display as comfortable and clear as a TV on a smaller display screen. Where there is demand, there will be a market. It is against this backdrop that high-density, small-pitch LED displays were born. With the continuous innovation and maturity of technology, many LED companies have begun to enter the small-pitch market, and small-pitch related devices and products have quickly become the "hot cakes" sought after by many companies.
Companies are scrambling to actively lay out small-pitch device packaging
As one of the hot topics in the industry, small-pitch LED displays not only create enough topics to attract attention, but also make manufacturing companies make a lot of money. The characteristics of small spacing and high density have led to an increase in demand for lamp beads, and upstream packaging manufacturers have also gained fame and fortune. In the field of small-pitch packaging, surface-mount packaging has always occupied a dominant position in the market. Representative companies include Everlight, Acer, Nichia, Nationstar, Jingtai, etc. COB packaging, which has suddenly emerged in the past two years, has quickly set off a "packaging-free" trend in the industry, providing another possibility for small-pitch packaging. Representative companies include Wei Qiaoshun, Aureda, etc.
With its advantages of seamless splicing, wide color gamut, wide viewing angle, high contrast, high refresh frequency, fast response speed, natural and true colors, and long life, small-pitch LED displays can effectively replace traditional large screens, such as LCD, DLP, PDP, projection, etc. It is currently mainly used in the commercial field. In the future, it has great potential in the fields of monitoring and dispatching, smart centers, etc., and the market prospect is very broad. It is estimated that by 2017, the small-pitch LED display market will reach 35 billion yuan.
As a pioneer and leader in the field of small-pitch packaging, Everlight Electronics launched 1010 lamp beads in 2010, 0808 packaging in 2012, and 0505 products in October 2014. In the downstream market, Everlight Electronics joined hands with Leyard to develop a P0.8mm ultra-high-definition LED TV, breaking the size limitations of traditional LED backlight TVs.
Hongqi, a Taiwanese LED packaging manufacturer, is also optimistic about the LED small-pitch market. In 2013, it actively launched small-pitch lamp beads. The packaging specifications will be advanced to 0606 from 2020, and smaller-sized 0404 products are also planned. Hongqi currently applies LED small-pitch packaging models in three specifications: 2020, 1010 and 0606. In addition, Hongqi and Macroblock Technology jointly established Xinrui Precision to jointly develop driver ICs for small-pitch products, hoping to expand market share through more complete solutions.
In the era of small-pitch LED displays, Nichia is not far behind and has launched NESM180A. This product is the smallest LED among Nichia's 3-in-1 products. It is packaged in black to achieve high contrast and can be applied to small-pitch products P2.5. Cree, another representative of high-end LED display packaging brands, has the smallest LED size on its official website as CLMVB-FKA (2×2mm).
Nationstar Optoelectronics launched Longzhu (1.5mm×1.5mm) that can be used for P2-2.5 in October 2012, and launched Loongson (1.1×1.0mm) products that can be used for P1.5 LED displays in 2013. Star products include the 1010 full-color device and the ReeStar series that incorporate multiple patented technologies. The flagship product in 2015 is the 0808 LED small-pitch full-color device. It is the first domestically produced ultra-small size, all-black substrate, and black matte packaging process to achieve high-contrast display effects.
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