Robotic Vision Systems Gets Multi-system Order for Lead Scanners

„Order shows the continuation of a trend to multi-system orders as the semiconductor industry ramps in 2004
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\r\nNASHUA, N.H., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/– Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. (RVSI) (OTC: RVSI.PK – News) today said it has received a multi-system order from a major Taiwan-based contract assembly organization for RVSI lead scanners. Four systems have been ordered for immediate delivery with an agreement by the customer to purchase an additional six systems over the next nine months. RVSI’s systems will be used to inspect leading edge micro ball-grid-array semiconductor packages.“;“Lead scanners are used to inspect assembled integrated circuits prior to shipment to customers. They check for package uniformity and integrity, and to ensure that leads and ball-grid arrays are properly aligned. This check is typically the final one done on a semiconductor package. Depending upon features, lead scanners are priced at between $200,000 and $450,000 per system.
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\r\n\“This order is a continuation of the trend toward multi-unit orders as the semiconductor industry ramps in 2004,\“ said Michael Gray, Vice President — Strategic Development at the Semiconductor Equipment Group in Hauppauge, NY. \“The change in customer sentiment in just a few months has been gratifying. A year ago, our only orders were for single systems. There were no budgets for technology changeover orders and capacity-related sales were nowhere in sight. Today, both semiconductor manufacturers and their subcontractors are laying out aggressive expansion plans to accommodate both the predicted rise in industry unit sales this year as well as for the inspection of a new generation of semiconductor packages.\“
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\r\nBob Michaels, Vice President — Sales for RVSI’s Semiconductor Equipment Group, said the order was indicative of the type of customer that will make up an increasing percentage of the industry’s sales. \“Contract assembly organizations do not have the luxury of setting up their equipment for long runs of single products,\“ Mr. Michaels said. \“An inspection system may see a half dozen different products over the course of a shift. Our competitors require complex changeover routines when switching between chips. In practice, that changeover can take an hour or more of lost production time.
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\r\n\“Also, as semiconductor devices shrink in size, the throughput advantage of in-tray scanning becomes an increasingly important component of cost of ownership,\“ Mr. Michaels said. \“Systems that use pick-and-place technology for inspection require an ever-increasing number of modules to maintain adequate throughput, each of which becomes a potential bottleneck when a suction nozzle malfunctions. A jam in one module takes down an entire system, which must then be reset before production can continue.\“
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\r\nAbout RVSI
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\r\nRobotic Vision Systems, Inc. (RVSI) (RVSI.PK) has the most comprehensive line of machine vision systems available today. Headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire, with offices worldwide, RVSI is the world leader in vision-based semiconductor inspection and Data Matrix-based unit-level traceability. Using leading-edge technology, RVSI joins vision-enabled process equipment, high- performance optics, lighting, and advanced hardware and software to assure product quality, identify and track parts, control manufacturing processes, and ultimately enhance profits for companies worldwide. Serving the semiconductor, electronics, aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical and packaging industries, RVSI holds more than 100 patents in a broad range of technologies. For more information visit www.rvsi.com or call (800) 669-5234.
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\r\nForward Looking Statement
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\r\nExcept for the historical information herein, certain matters discussed in this release include forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary significantly based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: the historical cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, risks in products and technology development, market acceptance of new products and continuing product demand, the impact of competitive products and pricing, changing economic conditions, both here and abroad, timely development and release of new products, strategic suppliers and customers, the effect of the company’s accounting policies and other risk factors detailed in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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\r\nSource: Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.“;0;111;3;“admin“;““;0;““;0;0;0;0;0