Asyst Receives Major Order From Leading U.S. Equipment Manufacturer; Multimillion-Dollar Order Comprises Portal and Robotics Technologies, Represents Key Installation in Japan.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 15, 2001 Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq NM:ASYT), the world's largest semiconductor fab See fab. automation company, today announced it has received a multimillion-dollar, multiple-system order for its Plus(TM) Portal tool front end from one of the world's leading U.S.-based providers of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The order further bolsters Asyst's already strong presence in Japan -- Asyst believes it is currently the leading U.S.-based automation solutions supplier to the Japanese semiconductor market. The systems that constitute this order reflect a customer-specific design, incorporating an Asyst-Japan-developed and -built UTM-3500 robot with Asyst's Plus Portal front end -- a fully automated and integrated front-end solution specifically designed to provide isolation and automation solutions for original equipment manufacturers' (OEMs') wafer processing and metrology tools. Asyst's acquisition of Japan-based MECS Corp. has proven invaluable in providing localized service and support to customers in Japan. By integrating with MECS, Asyst believes that it is not only better positioned to provide comprehensive local engineering design, manufacturing, integration and support services support services Psychology Non-health care-related ancillary services–eg, transportation, financial aid, support groups, homemaker services, respite services, and other services in the Pacific Rim Pacific Rim, term used to describe the nations bordering the Pacific Ocean and the island countries situated in it. In the post–World War II era, the Pacific Rim has become an increasingly important and interconnected economic region. , but better able, as well, to capitalize on Cap´i`tal`ize on` v. t. 1. To turn (an opportunity) to one's advantage; to take advantage of (a situation); to profit from; as, to capitalize on an opponent's mistakes s>. the opportunities to upgrade existing 150mm and 200mm facilities with newer automation technologies. Dennis Riccio, senior vice president of global customer operations for Asyst, said these orders substantiate To establish the existence or truth of a particular fact through the use of competent evidence; to verify. For example, an Eyewitness might be called by a party to a lawsuit to substantiate that party's testimony. the successful integration of the MECS family of advanced robotic systems robotic system An integrated system of devices that automate production and manufacturing of goods and services Surgery An AI-based surgical assistant system, which processes sensory input from haptic interfaces and/or allows surgeons to act with more accuracy than into Asyst's automation offerings. "This integrated Plus Portal/MECS robot design reflects our ability to bring together complementary technologies to create high-value-add products that meet OEMs' specific needs," said Riccio. "Further, the installation of these systems in Japan helps expand Asyst's global presence and allows us to leverage the local infrastructure we now have in place, which is so important to supporting our installed base in this region." Asyst reports that a key factor in the customer's decision to select the Asyst equipment was the substrate-handling robotic system designed into the tool. The MECS UTM-3500 robot features a six-axis, dual-arm design with a fast "swap out" speed -- i.e., the time it takes for one wafer to be switched for another. Another unique feature of the robotic system is the absence of a linear track setup. Typically, a factory interface with multiple load ports requires "track robots." However, the UTM-3500 configuration enables the robot's access of up to four load ports without the need for a linear track, which simplifies integration with the process tool. Because the UTM-3500 configuration contains one less axis than standard robotic substrate-handling systems, mechanical reliability is increased. These benefits result in a higher throughput rate Throughput rate is an obsolete term[1] in the terminology of automated chemical analysis. It may mean either:
1. ^ International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. "throughput rate". , enabling the equipment to process more wafers wafers compressed roughage in flat plates useful for feeding to animals in transit. per hour. Except for statements of historical fact, the statements in this press release are forward-looking. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, semiconductor industry cycles, risks associated with the acceptance of new products and product capabilities and other factors more fully detailed in the Company's recent 10Q quarterly report on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. About Asyst Asyst Technologies, Inc. is the leading provider of isolation and automation technologies that enable semiconductor makers to protect their valued assets throughout the manufacturing process while increasing manufacturing productivity. Through this "Value-Assured Fab" strategy, Asyst offers a broad range of 200mm and 300mm solutions that enable the safe transfer of wafers and information between the process equipment and the fab line throughout the IC fabrication fabrication (fab´rikā´sh  n),n the construction or making of a restoration. process, preventing human, environmental, mechanical and chemical harm. Encompassing robotics robotics, science and technology of general purpose, programmable machine systems. Contrary to the popular fiction image of robots as ambulatory machines of human appearance capable of performing almost any task, most robotic systems are anchored to fixed positions , portals, wafer and reticle ret·i·cle n. A grid or pattern placed in the eyepiece of an optical instrument, used to establish scale or position. [Latin r carriers, connectivity and interface products, and transport and loading products, Asyst's modular, interoperable The ability for one system to communicate or work with another. See interoperability. solutions allow chipmakers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to select and employ the value-assured, hands-off manufacturing capabilities that best suit their needs. Asyst's homepage is http://www.asyst.com Note to Editors: Asyst, the Asyst logo and Plus Portal are trademarks of Asyst Technologies, Inc. |
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