Curved Glass Inspection

Smartphones have evolved dramatically since the first commercial mobile phone in 1973. From simple monochrome LCDs to today’s curved, foldable AMOLED screens, display technologies have advanced to offer better user experience, sleeker designs, and increased functionality.

With this evolution, quality control of smartphone components — especially curved cover glass — has become increasingly demanding.

One of the most challenging materials to inspect visually is black rubber.

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The Challenge: Inspecting Curved Glass

Modern smartphone cover glass typically includes:

  • Cover glass layer

  • Optical adhesive

  • Sensor glass

  • LCD or AMOLED display

The production process involves several precise steps: cutting, CNC machining, polishing, ultrasonic cleaning, vacuum forming, tempering, and printing. Any defects during these steps can affect the flatness, curvature, or thickness of the screen, leading to issues like:

  • Touch response inaccuracies

  • Visible surface irregularities

  • Screen assembly misalignment

With the shift from flat 2D screens to 2.5D and fully 3D curved glass, inspection gets even trickier — especially when the materials are transparent or reflective.

The Solution: High-Precision Non-Contact Optical Measurement

To address these challenges, we used the HPS-CFL094 Chromatic Confocal Sensor from Hypersen to measure a sample curved glass screen.

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Why Chromatic Confocal?

This technology is ideal for inspecting:

  • Transparent materials (glass, films)

  • High-reflective surfaces (mirrors, polished metals)

  • Curved or complex geometries

The HPS-CFL094 offers:

  • ±62° large measuring angle

  • High resolution & stability

  • Non-contact measurement, protecting delicate surfaces

  • Sub-micron precision even on curved or reflective objects

Measurement Overview

Sample:

Curved smartphone cover glass

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Inspection Areas:

  • Flat surface

  • Curved edge

  • Corner radius (R-angle)

Measured Parameters:

  • Flatness

  • Height

  • Curvature profile

  • Glass thickness

  • Width of the flat section

Results

Using the HPS-CFL094 sensor, we successfully captured high-resolution data of the curved glass, including:

  • Surface profile

  • Curved edge geometry

  • Fine variations in height and thickness

These precise results help manufacturers:

  • Ensure consistent touch performance

  • Avoid assembly issues

  • Maintain high visual quality standards

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Product Highlights: HPS-CF Series

The HPS-CF Series is built for high-end inspection tasks requiring precision on challenging materials. It solves common inspection problems across:

  • Transparent objects (glass, films)

  • Mirror-like surfaces

  • Colored rubber or adhesive

  • Micro-defects on reflective parts