Sharp 2006 Annual Report Download - page 17

After the construction of the Kameyama Plant, the area around the factory in
Mie Prefecture, in which a number of the world’s premier LCD related companies
are gathered, came to be called “Crystal Valley.” Here, companies collaborate at a
high level and facilitate the amalgamation of ultra-advanced LCD technology.
Under this environment, Sharp’s global leading-edge LCD panels are born.
In 1953, we launched Japan’s first TV sets, which means that Sharp has now
accumulated 53 years of expertise in TV manufacturing. Sharp’s master engineers
of TV technology have gathered at the Kameyama Plant to work on achieving the
kind of beautiful image quality that will truly impress customers.
With the advent of large-size, full high-definition AQUOS produced at the
Kameyama Plant, the amazing picture quality will break down the conventional
image of TVs.
The Kameyama Plant boasts the world’s first start-to-finish production process
that handles from the manufacture of LCD panels to the assembly of LCD TVs. The
great advantage of having master LCD engineers and master TV engineers working
in the same factory is that they can meet to exchange ideas on technological issues,
which promotes the amalgamation of advanced LCD panel technology and image
processing technology.
This ultra-advanced integration is what sets AQUOS apart from the rest in terms
of quality.
AQUOS perform exceptionally well with respect to the environment — they have
a long-life and are energy-saving, for instance.
Additionally, the Kameyama Plant aims to be the world’s most advanced eco-
conscious factory through the introduction of the latest and most powerful environ-
mental technologies. Besides a co-generation system, which is employed for 1/3rd of
the total electricity usage, the factory incorporates a photovoltaic power generation
system at 5,150kW, the world’s largest* system on buildings, and Japan’s largest* fuel
cell system at 1,000kW.
*As of June 2006
The environmental performance
of AQUOS begins at the factory
“Crystal Valley” — where the
world’s top LCD engineers
come together
The start-to-finish manufacturing
from LCD panels to TV sets
makes it possible for Sharp’s
master engineers to achieve
ultra-advanced integration
Sharp has built up a reservoir of
TV production technology since it
first introduced TV to Japan 53
years ago
It could be said that the history of the development of the LCD is the history of the
technical innovation of Sharp. It has been 33 years since Sharp successfully created the
world’s first practical-use calculators using LCD panels. Since then, Sharp has been a
pioneer in solving technical issues concerning the creation of high-quality and ever-larg-
er LCD panels. Sharp’s master LCD engineers were intimately involved in these issues
and are now the most experienced in the world. All that acquired expertise comes to
the fore today in the Kameyama Plant.
The No. 2 Plant will adopt the world’s largest 8G glass substrates of 2,160 x
2,400mm, while introducing new materials such as color filters through a cutting-edge
production method and a fresh new production process to ensure the most efficient
production of large-size LCD panels for 40-inch-class and 50-inch-class TVs.
Kameyama boasts a range of LCD
expertise accumulated by Sharp
over 33 years
SHARP ANNUAL REPORT 2006 16
It’s the factory that makes the difference.
The Kameyama Plant ensures that the Sharp brand is revered the world over.