Robotic Vision Systems Gets Order in Taiwan for WS-series Inspection System

RVSI's Semiconductor Equipment Group extends its claim as the industry standard for bumped wafer inspection

NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE -- Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. (RVSI) (RVSI.PK) today said it has received an order for its WS-series bumped wafer inspection system from one of the world's largest subcontract semiconductor test, assembly and packaging organizations.  The WS-2500 will be installed at one of the company's facilities in Taiwan and represents the fourth WS-series system purchased by the company. Depending upon wafer size and other features, the WS-series is priced from $500,000 to more than $1 million per system.  The system is scheduled to ship in May 2004.

Bob Michaels, Vice President - Sales for RVSI's Semiconductor Equipment Group in Hauppauge, NY, said the order's importance was in the selection of RVSI as the company's Plan of Record for 3D metrology inspection for bumped wafers.  ‘‘This is the best endorsement available from the industry today,’‘ Mr. Michaels said.  ‘‘This customer has made a major commitment to providing wafer bumping services for the semiconductor companies it serves and, like a growing number of other organizations, the customer has settled on RVSI as having the best solution for 3D bump height metrology.  Now, because RVSI is the first supplier to reach a 'convergence point' of offering superior 2-D and 3-D capabilities in one system, they are also coming to rely on our surface defect inspection capabilities as well.’‘ 

Michael Gray, Vice President - Strategic Development at the Semiconductor Equipment Group, said that bumped wafer production was still in the early stages of growth as a percentage of total wafer starts.  ‘‘Bumped wafers are tied to the growth of a technology popularly known as 'flip chip',’‘ Mr. Gray said. ‘‘Flip chip technology has been recognized as the best solution to developing a new generation of chips that have higher I/O, lower profiles, and run cooler than chips in traditional packages.  Each of these attributes is considered necessary for hand-held devices as well as for things such as flat-panel displays.  As those markets grow as a percentage of semiconductor consumption, so does the demand for bumped wafer inspection.’‘

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Rather than traditional wire bonds, the newest generation of integrated circuits utilizes microscopic-sized solder or gold ‘‘bumps’‘ that are directly deposited on the wafer for electrical connections. RVSI's WS-series improves yield management of bumped wafers and flip chip die, providing a method to maximize yields and profitability by inspecting bump parameters at high production rates. The system's capabilities include inspection of pre-reflow and post-reflow solder bumps and multi-process gold bumps.

About RVSI
Robotic 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. 

Forward Looking Statement
Except 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.

Contact:
RVSI
5 Shawmut Road
Canton, MA  02021
Tel: 781-302-2401  Fax:781-302-2440