Fast, automated NSX tools become de facto standard
FLANDERS, NJ (August 14, 2007) -- Rudolph Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: RTEC), the leading provider of process control systems for the semiconductor manufacturing industry, today announced its NSX® 115 automated macro defect inspection tool has been selected by a major European fab for outgoing quality assurance of semiconductor devices destined for automotive applications.
The selection was made after a rigorous competitive evaluation that focused on the speed, sensitivity, gauge capability and flexibility needed to meet the 100-percent inspection and zero-defect requirements now prevalent in the automotive industry. The availability of Rudolph's automatic defect classification, yield analysis and offline data review software, which can significantly improve the effective throughput of the tool, was also an important factor in the selection process.
This is the second NSX inspection system installed for outgoing quality control (OQA) at this site, and reinforces Rudolph's position as the de facto standard for 100-percent inspection required by automotive customers. Demand for fast, automated macro defect inspection is expected to increase as automotive manufacturers worldwide require 100-percent inspection from their semiconductor suppliers.
"The NSX has proven to be highly effective as an OQA monitor, and equally important, as a source of critical data about defectivity rates and distributions that is simply unavailable with manual inspection," said Nathan Little, executive vice president and general manager of Rudolph's Inspection Business Unit. "In this situation, the most important consideration was high throughput. As this competitive win confirms, we believe the NSX 115 is the best available tool for the100-percent inspection needed to meet the zero-defect demands of the automotive sector. Rudolph intends to play an important supporting role in our customers' continuing success in this growing market."
The NSX Macro Defect Inspection System is a fast, repeatable inspection solution used throughout the semiconductor manufacturing process. Macro defects (defects 0.5 micron and larger) can be created during wafer manufacturing, probing, bumping, dicing, or by general handling, and can have a major impact on the performance and quality of a microelectronic device. The NSX quickly and accurately detects yield-inhibiting defects, providing quality assurance and valuable process information. Rudolph's automatic defect classification, defect review, and yield management software help manufacturers use this information more effectively to reduce manufacturing costs and accelerate time to market.
Rudolph Technologies is a worldwide leader in the design, development, manufacture and support of high-performance process control metrology, defect inspection and data analysis systems used by semiconductor device manufacturers. Rudolph provides a full-fab solution through its families of proprietary products that provide critical yield-enhancing information, enabling microelectronic device manufacturers to drive down costs and time to market. The company has enhanced the competitiveness of its products in the marketplace by anticipating and addressing many emerging trends driving the semiconductor industry's growth. Rudolph's strategy for continued technological and market leadership includes aggressive research and development of complementary metrology and inspection solutions. Headquartered in Flanders, New Jersey, Rudolph supports its customers with a worldwide sales and service organization. Additional information can be found on the company's web site at www.rudolphtech.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). In some cases, you can identify those so-called "forward-looking statements" by words such as "may," "will," "would," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "feels," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue," or the negative of those words and other comparable words. Rudolph wishes to take advantage of the "safe harbor" provided for by the Act and cautions that actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of various factors, including risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Rudolph's control. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to, the impact of the slowdown in the overall economy, the uncertainty of the current global political environment, the potential for terrorist attacks, the potential for business disruptions due to infectious diseases, changes in customer demands for our existing and new products, the timing, cancellation or delay of customer orders and shipments, the timing of revenue recognition of shipments, new product offerings from our competitors, changes in or an inability to execute Rudolph's business strategy, unanticipated manufacturing or supply problems and changes in tax rules. Rudolph cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. The matters discussed in this press release also involve risks and uncertainties as summarized in Rudolph's Form 10-K report for the year ended December 31, 2006 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which are available at http://www.sec.gov, the SEC's website, and at http://www.rudolphtech.com, the Rudolph website. While these factors may be updated from time to time through the filing of reports and registration statements with the SEC, Rudolph does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.
For more information, please contact:
Investors:
Steven R. Roth
973.448.4302
steven.roth@rudolphtech.com
Trade Press:
Virginia Becker
952.259.1647
virginia.becker@rudolphtech.com