Agilent Technologies' Improved TestWise SPC Delivers Process Insight to Electronics Manufacturers; SPC Solution Provides Test Results Information to Improve First-Pass Yields.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 9, 1999--

Agilent Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Hewlett-Packard Company, today introduces the Agilent TestWise SPC (E7216A) software package. This enhanced product adds a statistical process control (SPC) charting package to the existing, open interface for the Agilent 5DX series of automated X-ray inspection systems.

The software assists manufacturers in improving the first-pass yields of manufacturing assembly processes by providing them with the process-rich test information they need to eliminate process-induced faults in their lines.

Electronics manufacturers increasingly use quality software solutions -- often developed internally -- to uncover and overcome process variations that can trigger increased faults and costly repairs of printed circuit-board assemblies (PCBAs). However, these in-house quality software solutions typically lack easy access to the process-rich defect information contained within manufacturing test and inspection systems. TestWise SPC, which provides open access and SPC charting of data critical for gaining knowledge of the process, is part of Agilent Technologies' Intelligent Test strategy. This strategy is aimed at giving manufacturers greater insight into production processes, reducing costs and increasing assembly yields.

"Faults are, and will continue to be, an inescapable part of the manufacturing process," says Kamran Firooz, general manager of Agilent's Manufacturing Test Division. "Agilent Technologies is helping manufacturers to understand why and where faults occur by making in-house process-control applications more robust with open access to the wealth of information from the Agilent 5DX. Once manufacturers eliminate these faults, the resulting improved yields can have a significant positive impact on the bottom line."

The Agilent 5DX automated X-ray inspection system's test results data (including defect information and diagnostics relating to opens, shorts, missing components and insufficient solder) and paperless repair-station data can be highly useful in providing information to correct manufacturing process faults responsible for defective products. Open access to the X-ray and repair systems allows detailed test data to be easily utilized by decision-makers in the manufacturing organization. Agilent's TestWise SPC software helps in the following two ways:

Enabling Choice

TestWise SPC is a flexible, open platform that provides a portal through which legacy-quality systems or any commercially-available statistics package can easily access real-time X-ray test and repair results data. This information is placed into a Microsoft(R) Access database. Additionally, programmatic access to test and repair results data is available using Microsoft COM (Component Object Model) technologies.

For those customers who desire a simple turnkey SPC solution, a charting tool is also provided that can generate pareto, yield, and parts-per-million (ppm) charts that are tuned to Agilent's 5DX results data. Charts are also web-enabled and provide alarms for real-time process control.

The software supports data from up to four Agilent 5DX inspection systems and eight 5DX paperless repair stations. To use the software, manufacturers must also purchase an Agilent-supported PC configuration.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

Agilent TestWise SPC (E7216A) software is available for $21,500. It is expected to ship later this month. A right-to-copy version is available for $5,500 for up to four additional 5DXs and eight paperless repair stations.

Information about Agilent's manufacturing test products can be found on the Web at http://www.hp.com/go/manufacturing.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies, Inc. is a diversified technology company, resulting from Hewlett-Packard Company's plan to strategically realign itself into two fully independent companies. With 43,000 employees serving customers in more than 120 countries, Agilent Technologies, as a subsidiary of HP, is a global leader in designing and manufacturing test, measurement and monitoring instruments, systems and solutions, and semiconductor and optical components. The company serves markets that include communications, electronics, life sciences and healthcare. The businesses comprising Agilent had net revenues of nearly $8 billion in fiscal year 1998.

Information about Agilent Technologies can be found on the Web at http://www.agilent.com.

Microsoft is a registered U.S. trademark of the Microsoft Corporation.

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