Category: Recent News

27th September 2016 – Forth Dimension Displays (ForthDD), leading supplier of fast binary spatial light modulators (SLMs), and LightTrans, vendor of the optical design software VirtualLab Fusion, are collaborating on an adaptation of LightTrans’ simulation software. The new capabilities in VirtualLab Fusion will encompass adding support for the high speed binary phase modulators offered by ForthDD.

ForthDD’s binary SLM offers QXGA resolution (2048 x 1536 pixels) resolution at speeds up to 4.5 kHz with a pixel pitch of 8.2 μm based on ferroelectric liquid crystal on silicon (FLCOS) technology. The drive interface can either support video, using the DisplayPort standard, or a dedicated flash memory based interface interface calling off up to 1024 binary phase masks from the on-board memory and controlled using flexible trigger ports.

The PC-based VirtualLab Fusion allows optical engineers to conveniently convert imagery into phase masks. Therefore, the software provides reliable, fast and flexible tools for the design of adaptive optical systems. Phase masks can be computed and the data can be transferred to the SLM. VirtualLab Fusion enables the analysis and optimization of the entire adaptive laser system containing complex laser sources, beam delivery optics and the diffractive SLM.

Greg Truman, CEO of Forth Dimension Displays, is full of optimism: “We are delighted to be able to support customers using our phase modulation SLMs in their R&D work. By working with our new partner LightTrans, and their enabling, user-friendly software, it will be easier and faster for scientists and engineers to build systems using our SLMs.”

Dr. Michael Kuhn, CEO of LightTrans, says: “The powerful design algorithms of VirtualLab Fusion for phase masks and the physical optics modelling for entire laser systems will considerably enhance many applications based on SLMs. It is a pleasure for us to collaborate with Forth Dimension Displays and to provide new innovative optical solutions to our customers.”

• 3D AOI market is growing rapidly at 35%-40% per annum
• SLPs are a key component of 3D AOI machines

 26th August 2016, Scotland – iView Limited (iView) and Forth Dimension Displays Limited (ForthDD) have entered into an agreement to develop, manufacture and sell Structured Light Projectors (SLPs). SLPs are a key component of 3D automated in-line optical inspection (3D AOI) equipment which is rapidly replacing 2D AOI in printed circuit board (PCB) manufacture. The ability to use 3D AOI to measure components in all three dimensions, on every PCB in real time, enables companies to improve yields and product quality while reducing wastage and costs.

ForthDD’s SXGA-3DM is a fast switching, all digital, high performance reflective Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) product. Designed for 3D AOI, the widely used SXGA-3DM features the industry proven SXGA (1280 x 1024) Time Domain Imaging™ display with a 3D metrology specific display drive interface. iView has long established capabilities in the design and manufacture of microdisplay based projection engines. iView will manufacture the SLPs at their Shenzhen factory combining ForthDD’s SXGA-3DM SLM with an LED illuminator and LED drive electronics, optical components and housing. The SLP will deliver precise, high resolution structured light patterns over a 40mm x 40mm field of view. This combination of the products and expertise from the two companies will allow Chinese 3D AOI equipment manufacturers to reduce their time to market and benefit from an established, experienced SLP supply chain.

Steve Yeung, CEO of iView said “3D scanning using structured light projection is an emerging technology with various applications. In particular, the market for 3D AOI machines is rapidly growing in China. Combining ForthDD’s SLM and iView’s projection technology will result in a cost effective 3D AOI optical system solution for our customers.”

Greg Truman, CEO of ForthDD said “The market for 3D AOI machines is growing rapidly in all parts of the World. ForthDD has a very strong position in the market, supplying leading manufacturers in Germany, Japan and South Korea. Working closely with iView, ForthDD intends to develop a similarly strong position supplying Chinese 3D AOI machine manufacturers.”

iView and Forth Dimension Displays to Collaborate on Structured Light Projectors (SLPs) for Chinese 3D Automated In-line Optical Inspection (3D AOI) market

11^th March 2016, 2015, Scotland – Forth Dimension Displays is pleased to be sponsoring the joint  conference of the British & German Liquid Crystal Societies (BLCS2016)

Due to be held between 21-23 March, 2016 at the John McIntyre Conference Centre, University of Edinburgh, the conference brings together leading experts in Liquid Crystal.

4^th March 2016, 2015, Scotland – Forth Dimension Displays (ForthDD) is pleased to announce it has received the ISO14001 environmental certification.ISO 14001 2015 Certificate Issued 15 February 2016

This certification by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) recognises the company’s commitment to safely and carefully manage the impact of its business on the environment.

Following an in-depth review and assessment, the certificate has been awarded in recognition of the company’s efforts to minimise waste and decrease pollution.

According to Greg Truman, CEO “Our customers and suppliers value the company’s philosophy to conscientiously use our resources in ways that allow us to reduce our environmental footprint whilst continuing to deliver high quality products.”

The ISO14001 joins Forth Dimension Displays existing ISO9001 and ISO13485 accreditations.

Forth Dimension Displays is pleased to announce it will be presenting a paper at Electronic Displays Conference. 24.-25.02.2016, Nuremberg, Germany.  As the event celebrates its 30th year, ForthDD will be the first paper to present its paper entitled 2K Electronic View Finder based on QXGA Microdisplay in the microdisplays session.

The paper will discuss the implementation of an Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) using a QXGA resolution (2048 x 1536 pixels) Ferroelectric LCOS microdisplay.

Targeted at the high-end cinematography camera market, the full colour, video rate QXGA microdisplay provides sufficient resolution for full HD / 2K imagery combined with on-screen display (OSD) areas above and below.

Forth Dimension Displays (ForthDD), designer, developer and manufacturer of high resolution microdisplays, is pleased to announce it has been awarded Platinum Premier status in Rockwell Collins Trusted Supplier Program for its performance in 2014.

Rockwell Collins is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic solutions for both commercial and government applications.

Rockwell Collins awarded ForthDD the highest level in its Trusted Supplier Program to recognize and reward ForthDD for meeting the highest level of quality, delivery, and business alignment in its supply of high-performance microdisplays to the company.

Platinum Premier status suppliers are given access to business opportunities with Rockwell Collins including to executive leadership and program design teams, preferred parts list status, preferred status for future sourcing decisions, and payment terms consideration. The suppliers also gain extra recognition in the industry with the opportunity to promote their premier status.

Greg Truman, ForthDD CEO said, “The award from Rockwell Collins, a five billion dollar annual revenue corporation, is testament to our unique and exceptional high performance microdisplays and the technical expertise and customer focus of my colleagues. In the future, we look forward to continuing and expanding our relationship.”

Forth Dimension Displays (ForthDD) is pleased to announce it has received ISO 13485 certification for the design and manufacture of Liquid Crystal microdisplays for medical devices.

The ISO standard has a number of strict requirements to ensure that products of the highest quality and standard are supplied. Products must be stable, repeatable and validated.

According to Greg Truman, CEO “Our team has worked hard to build upon our existing ISO9001:2008 certification and achieve this additional approval. We are already established as a key supplier to medical microscope companies and our business is now expanding into other healthcare applications. Receiving ISO13485 reinforces ForthDD’s position as a leading supplier of microdisplays for the medical and healthcare equipment industry.”

Forth Dimension Displays (ForthDD) is pleased to announce its high resolution microdisplays have enabled the US Army’s Flight School XXI program to surpass 200,000 hours of aircrew training.

The SXGA resolution microdisplays are integrated into L-3 Link Simulation & Training’s Operational Flight Trainers (OFTs) and Reconfigurable Collective Training Devices (RCTDs). These training devices are operating at 99.5 percent availability thus reinforcing ForthDD’s reputation as a global leader and supplier of displays to the industry. ForthDD powers over 97% of the US Army’s HMDs used for aircrew Training, Simulation and Mission Rehearsal.

The SXGA microdisplay has been optimised to deliver the best image quality in the most demanding HMD applications where fast moving imagery is displayed across a wide field of view with precise head tracking. High resolution (1280 x 1024 pixels) images are delivered to users with a high (96%) fill factor leading to crisp life-like imagery and the fast response of the display eliminates image blur. ForthDD is looking forward to working with our customer’s to upgrade existing HMDs to QXGA resolution and providing “retinal class” image quality for the US Armed Forces Training and Simulation needs.

Flight School XXI, recognized as the largest simulated helicopter  training program in the world, is managed and operated by CSC. L-3 Link is the largest supplier of flight simulators to the program.