Electroglas Delivers Automated Process Management for 200mm Probers With SECS/GEM Compatible Software.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

SEMICON West 2002

GEMTalk 200 Software Enables Process Automation and Data

Collection Through Use of Industry Standards

Electroglas, Inc. (Nasdaq: EGLS), a leading supplier of process management tools for the semiconductor industry, today underscored its commitment to enabling automated process management throughout the semiconductor manufacturing process with the introduction of GEMTalk 200. A software solution that offers SECS/GEM capabilities on Electroglas' 200mm wafer probers, the GEMTalk 200 application allows customers to monitor prober events and alarms and enable prober data collection using a remote host controller.

"Automating the test floor, and the entire fab for that matter, is a critical step toward improving productivity and profitability in semiconductor manufacturing," said Karl Heiman, director of marketing for Electroglas' prober division. "With offerings like GEMTalk, we are allowing people, equipment and processes to share information more effectively, giving customers the functionality and flexibility they need to automate their processes and meet growing productivity pressures."

The standards-based nature of GEMTalk 200 facilitates communications between Electroglas probers and fab controllers, allowing automation of prober functions. Specific host control and monitoring activities that can be automated using the GEMTalk interface include:

-- System monitoring - The ability to define and enable collection events, alarms and terminal services allows users to monitor systems remotely, collecting only that information they deem pertinent.

-- Data gathering - Users may run specific queries or configure pre-scheduled reports to receive prober status and analyze data variables to assess important engineering data, such as wafer ID, touchdown count and yield data.

-- Equipment control and monitoring - Users can control and configure systems using remote commands for process control and process program management as well as a defined set of GEM-required constants and a unique set of prober-specific constants.

Availability

Available July 2002, Electroglas GEMTalk 200 software can run on any Electroglas 200mm prober running EGCommander NT 7.2 or greater. Local Electroglas field service representatives can upgrade existing units easily. Pricing is dependent on the number of licenses ordered, with volume discounts offered. GEMTalk 200 supports SECS/GEM standards E-5, E-30, E-37 and E-91.

To learn more about GEMTalk 200 and other ways in which Electroglas is powering productivity throughout the semiconductor manufacturing process, please visit Electroglas in booth #10722 during the Final Manufacturing portion of SEMICON West 2002, being held July 17-19 at the San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, California, and in booth #5554 during the Wafer Processing portion of the show, being held July 22-24 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. More information is also available by contacting Electroglas at [phone] or visiting www.electroglas.com.

About Electroglas, Inc.

Electroglas delivers essential tools for process management to enhance the profitability of semiconductor manufacturers. The company's wafer probers, inspection systems and software solutions serve as data collection, management and analysis tools that semiconductor manufacturers depend upon to improve their productivity and process control by optimizing sort-floor efficiency. Electroglas has been a leading supplier of wafer probers for over 40 years and has an installed base of more than 15,000 systems. The company's stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "EGLS". The company's Web site is located at www.electroglas.com.