Equipment installation at the new 7th-generation (Gen 7) fabrication plant began in early August and pilot testing of the equipment and assembly processes took just under three months.

Samsung's second Gen 7 line will replicate the equipment and processes now being used at the S-LCD Line 7-1, a joint venture between Samsung and Sony.

By committing to the 1 870 x 2 200mm substrate size at both Line 7-1 and 7-2, Samsung has moved to standardize TV panel sizes at 40-inch and 46-inch within the industry.

From a single substrate, eight 40-inch panels or six 46-inch panels can be produced with extremely high glass efficiency, the company says.

First-phase production of Line 7-2 will begin in April next year. Second-phase production commences in the second half of the year.