From large outdoor displays to indoor digital signage, LED screens have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Thanks to the continuous development of LED screen packaging technology, these screens can provide vivid colors, high resolution, and dynamic visual effects to enhance advertising, entertainment, and communication experiences. Among various LED display technologies, Hotmelt On the Board (HOB) LED display technology stands out with its unique advantages. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the complexity, benefits, and applications of HOB technology in the context of the development history of LED packaging technology.

The Development of LED Packaging Technology

LED screen packaging involves the encapsulation of LED chips and other components to ensure optimal performance, durability, and visual quality.

The earliest LED screen packaging technology was Discrete Packaging, where individual LEDs were inserted into circuit boards and encapsulated with epoxy resin or plastic. While this packaging technology effectively protected the LEDs, it had limitations in terms of pixel density and image quality. Discrete Packaging resulted in noticeable gaps between LEDs, reducing resolution and seamless visual effects.

To overcome these limitations, Surface Mount Device (SMD) was introduced in LED screen packaging. Surface mount device (SMD) is LED chips encapsulated with materials such as cups, brackets, leads, and epoxy resin in different sizes, which are then directly soldered onto printed circuit boards (PCBs). This packaging technology improved image quality and reduced power consumption, becoming the mainstream LED packaging technology today. However, the SMD technology increased the risk of LED color shift, failure, and damage due to the LEDs being exposed to the external environment without protection.

With the popularity of small pitch LED screens and the increasing demand for high definition, an innovative packaging technology called Chip On Board (COB) emerged. COB LED packaging technology involves directly mounting multiple LED chips on a PCB to form an integrated unit. This LED technology effectively reduces the pixel pitch of LED display screens, improves heat dissipation, and enhances the visual experience. Although COB packaging technology effectively reduces potential risks associated with SMD LED screens, it is currently challenging to produce COB LED screens on a large scale due to high technology costs and difficulties in maintaining color uniformity and color deviation.

In this context, a new technology called Glue On Board (GOB) packaging emerged as an improvement of the SMD packaging process. GOB LED display technology utilizes a proprietary transparent epoxy resin adhesive, which is applied to the surface of a PCB module that is soldered with thousands of SMD lamps, forming a special shield. GOB LED packaging technology provides a solution for protecting LED chips and enables cost-effective mass production, successfully addressing issues such as uneven surface flatness, color deviation, and the inability to mix light in COB displays. However, GOB LED displays still have drawbacks such as poor flexibility, high maintenance costs, weak heat dissipation performance, and viewing angle limitations.

Another significant development in LED screen packaging technology is the use of Hotmelt On the Board (HOB) packaging technology. HOB LED display technology combines the advantages of SMD and COB LED technologies, making it stand out among other techniques.

What is HOB LED Packaging Technology?

HOB LED packaging technology refers to a special treatment of the screen surface using nano-level high-factor materials to create a matte insulation layer that fully encapsulates the LED chips, isolating them from the external environment. This effectively enhances product stability, prolongs product life, and greatly improves the yield of finished LED displays during the packaging process.

Advantages of HOB LED Packaging Technology

Based on the concept of a controllable and simple process, HOB packaging technology not only combines the advantages of mainstream LED packaging technologies but also effectively addresses the aforementioned pain points and shortcomings. This technology transforms traditional LED display screens into surface light sources, resulting in more uniform illumination and significantly improving the product’s viewing angle. It also effectively eliminates the moiré effect. The matte coating enhances the contrast of the HOB LED screens, reduces glare and eye strain, and alleviates visual fatigue.

1. Excellent Heat Dissipation Capability

One key advantage of HOB LED packaging technology is its superior heat dissipation capability. Traditional LED packaging technologies use surface mount devices to connect LED chips to PCBs, resulting in gaps between the two materials that create thermal conductivity barriers during operation. HOB display technology, on the other hand, uses nano-level high-factor materials with high thermal conductivity to fully encapsulate the screen, effectively filling the gaps and improving temperature consistency in LED modules, reducing color deviation caused by temperature differences. This also enables efficient heat transfer for the SMD LED chips during operation.

2. Impact Resistance

SMD LED displays, which have LED chips directly exposed to the external environment, are susceptible to vibration and impact during transportation and installation, leading to increased failure rates. HOB LED displays, on the other hand, feature a surface coating of nano-level crystalline factor materials, which bond the SMD chips and PCBs together in a highly integrated manner. This creates a strong protective layer on the surface of the LED display, providing impact resistance. Such a manufacturing process helps extend product lifespan and enhance system stability.

3. Higher Brightness and Contrast Levels

HOB LED display technology achieves higher levels of brightness and contrast, resulting in a visually appealing display. The direct mounting of LED chips allows for better control of light output, creating vibrant and vivid visual effects. This makes HOB LED displays ideal for applications such as outdoor advertising, sports arenas, and concerts, where high brightness and contrast are crucial.

4. Wider Viewing Angles

HOB display technology provides wider viewing angles, ensuring that the content displayed on the LED screen is clear and visible from various angles. This is particularly advantageous in large venues where the audience may be seated at different angles. With HOB LED displays, the content remains visible to everyone, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

5. Durability and Resilience

HOB LED displays are designed to be highly durable and resistant to external factors such as moisture, dust, and impact. The surface of the screen is coated with nano-level crystalline factor optical materials, isolating the LED chips from the external environment. This effectively prevents liquids from penetrating the interior of the display screens. HOB LED displays have waterproof, dustproof, moisture-proof, antistatic, corrosion-resistant, and oxidation-resistant capabilities compared to ordinary SMD LED displays. Additionally, the front protection level of HOB LED displays reaches IP67.

6. Low Maintenance and Repairs Cost

The manufacturing processes of COB LED screens are more complex and do not allow for precise repairs at the individual LED chip level. However, HOB LED displays are designed with a modular approach, making them easy to maintain and repair. If needed, individual LED chips can be quickly replaced, minimizing downtime and reducing maintenance costs. This modular approach also offers flexibility for upgrading or expanding the LED display screen, making HOB packaging technology a cost-effective choice.

7. Excellent Display Performance

The optical coating treatment with nano-level crystalline factor materials improves the color reproduction on the surface of HOB LED displays, ensuring consistent color tones across the large screen. When not emitting light, HOB LED display screens present pure black, perfectly complementing the visual effects when parts of the screen need to be turned off. Furthermore, the unique optical properties of the matte coating effectively reduce moiré patterns, significantly improve contrast, and reduce glare and eye strain, allowing the LED display to emit soft light without causing visual fatigue.

8. Precise Splicing

LED display screens processed with HOB packaging technology and high-precision equipment have smoother and flatter product cross-sections. The splicing accuracy of LED modules reaches ≤0.02mm, allowing for seamless splicing effects and maximizing the user’s viewing experience.

Applications of HOB LED Displays

1. Outdoor Advertising 

HOB LED displays are an excellent choice for outdoor advertising due to their high brightness, wide viewing angles, and durability. Whether it’s on billboards, building facades, or digital signage, HOB LED technology ensures that the content remains visible and impactful even under different lighting conditions.

2. Sports Arenas

In sports arenas, HOB LED displays provide an immersive viewing experience. With high brightness, contrast levels, and wide viewing angles, they ensure that spectators can enjoy the game from any seat. The durability and resistance to external factors make HOB LED displays suitable for outdoor sports venues as well.

3. Concerts and Events

HOB LED displays are also widely used in concerts and events as dynamic backdrops and stage displays. The high brightness and vibrant visual effects create an engaging atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience for performers and audiences alike.

4. Control Rooms and Command Centers

HOB LED displays are well-suited for control rooms and command centers where real-time monitoring and information display are crucial. The wide viewing angles and high contrast ensure that operators can view the content clearly from different positions, enabling effective decision-making.

RIGARD LED Display Screens

HOB LED display technology offers a range of advantages that make it the top choice for LED display manufacturers. As a leading LED display manufacturer, RIGARD continuously innovates and utilizes HOB LED technology, which combines the advantages of SMD and COB LED technologies, to create LED displays with excellent heat dissipation, higher brightness and contrast, wider viewing angles, durability, and easy maintenance. From outdoor advertising to indoor conferences, HOB LED display screens from RIGARD deliver stunning visual effects and reliable performance, helping to elevate your business.

With the ongoing technological advancements, HOB LED displays will play a crucial role in shaping the future of LED displays. If you are looking for HOB LED display screens to save costs and achieve higher returns, HOB LED displays from RIGARD will always be your top choice.