Cat-I Glass Manufacturing, Inc.

United States

Cat-i Glass currently utilizes over 1, 100 square feet of clean rooms ranging from Class 10, 000 (ISO 7) to Class 1, 000 (ISO 6). This allows us to process and package parts in a contamination free environment. In addition Cat-i has 10 ULPA filtered inspectionpacking workstations, as well as filtered white rooms.

Chemical strengthening, or commonly referred to as chemical tempering, is a glass strengthening method more often used on thin glass (less than 3mm). Advantages of this method include zero optical distortion, increased scratch resistance and impact strength. Typical applications include display and cover glass, instrumentation, cameras and lighting.Chemical strengthening is a process that toughens the surface of glass by replacing sodium ions with larger potassium ions. The ion exchange creates a thin layer of high compression on the surface which results in a layer of tension in the center. The process is performed by submerging the glass in a molten salt bath. Time and temperature are process parameters that are finely controlled and monitored to produce desired results.

Cat-i Glass' fabrication processes can heat strengthen or fully temper glass. Typical strengthened glass can be up to 3 times stronger while fully tempered will be 3-5 times stronger than annealed glass. Cat-i heat tempered glass is processed in accordance with the Federal Specification ASTM C1048, which sets required standards for surface compression of fully tempered glass, warp, and break patterns. Glass is heated during the manufacturing process and then cooled rapidly. This process freezes the outer surfaces in compression which in turn pulls the core of the glass under tension.

Ink is applied to the glass surface through the use of a custom mesh screen, leaving an image fixed onto the glass. Printing options include frit, epoxy and UV curing. All screens are custom and come directly from your artwork. Multiple color printing and very fine resolution allow any precise image to be transferred to the glass surface. For precise color applications, we have the metrology equipment to accurately measure the L*a*b* values.

Waterjet machining does not share the same limitations of traditional glass cutting allowing for virtually any shape to be cut out of even the thickest glass and opens a whole new realm of possibilities to technical flat glass design. A waterjet is a CNC based machine for cutting complex shapes. It combines a high pressure water stream with abrasive particles that can cut through almost anything. It is quite difficult to accurately cut shapes out of thick and laminated glass using the traditional glass cutting method, therefore waterjets are perfect for cutting shapes and complex holes. Our waterjets can compensate for the jet stream's draft angle, resulting in a part with perfectly perpendicular edge walls or intentional draft angles, if required.