PRI Automation Ships 100th AeroLoader Vehicle for Transporting Work-in-Process in 300mm Semiconductor Fabs
AeroLoader is key enabler of PRI's unique Unified Automated Material Handling System that speeds delivery times and lowers overall equipment costs
BILLERICA, Mass., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PRI Automation, Inc., (Nasdaq: PRIA, Toronto: PRJ), a global leader in semiconductor factory automation systems, software and services, announced today that it has shipped its 100th AeroLoader(TM) III Overhead Hoist vehicle, to a 300mm fab in the U.S. AeroLoader is a key component of PRI's TransFab(TM) unified automated material handling system (AMHS), proven to shorten material delivery times by up to 66 percent and at a lower cost than traditional AMHS.
Based on PRI's patented AeroTrak® design, which features a lightweight, flexible track with turntables for the most direct routing, AeroLoader provides direct tool-to-tool wafer and reticle transport. Unique benefits of AeroLoader include:
* Higher throughput and shorter deliver times, due to integrated software
with proprietary routing algorithms that dynamically calculate shortest-
path routing and prioritize hot lot delivery;
* Fewer total moves required to transport wafers and reticles, because the
same vehicles can run both within and between bays;
* No need for expensive ceiling supports thanks to the system's light
weight;
* A reduced need for buffer storage within process bays, which lowers the
overall cost of an AMHS and speeds return-on-investment; and
* Full compliance with SEMI 300mm tool loadport standards, which means a
smoother hand-off at the tool, and less integration time and expense for
semiconductor manufacturers.
Vishnu Reddy, director of PRI's transport product line, attributes AeroLoader's popularity to its flexibility, speed and reliability. ``I think that the flexibility of the AeroLoader system has been a distinct advantage, allowing for easy installation and integration into both new and 200-to-300mm conversion fabs,'' said Reddy. ``Semiconductor manufacturers also value the fact that AeroLoader is a production-proven solution in its third generation.''
Rob Sullivan, director of product development for AeroLoader, offered an example of the system's flexibility: ``During a recent installation, we discovered a tool service access door that wasn't on the blueprint,'' said Sullivan. ``Due to the flexibility of PRI's system, we were able to build a work-around in a matter of hours, without disrupting the fab's layout and construction. This change was made without any impact to the customer installation schedule.''
Reddy noted that the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) calls for one AMHS that performs both the interbay and intrabay transport function by 2005. By contrast, traditional ``segregated'' AMHS utilize separate systems for interbay and intrabay transport and require stockers to connect the transport systems. ``PRI's AeroLoader makes unified AMHS possible today, years ahead of the roadmap,'' said Reddy.
About PRI Automation
PRI Automation, Inc., headquartered in Billerica, Massachusetts, is a leading global supplier of advanced factory automation systems, software, and services that optimize the productivity of semiconductor and precision electronics manufacturers, as well as OEM process tool manufacturers. PRI is the only company to provide a tightly integrated and flexible hardware and software solution that optimizes the flow of products, data, materials and resources throughout the production chain. The company has thousands of systems installed at approximately one hundred locations throughout the world. For more information visit PRI online at pria.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This release includes forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements relating to the expected benefits of PRI Automation products. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include the following: the manner in which the customer uses our products and integrates them with third-party components may affect their performance; the downturn in the semiconductor capital equipment industry is harming our business; fluctuating demand for our products makes it difficult to manage our business efficiently; we have reduced our workforce in response to the industry downturn and reduced demand for our products and our smaller workforce may be inadequate to handle increased demand for our products; we may continue to experience delays and technical difficulties with new product introductions; 300mm technology, in which we have invested heavily, is being adopted more slowly than we expected, competition for early 300mm orders is intense and we have to date received few orders for 300mm automated handling systems; our lengthy sales cycle makes it difficult to anticipate revenues; our operating results fluctuate significantly in response to a variety of factors; delays in shipment or customer acceptance of a single significant order could substantially decrease our revenues for a period; the application of new accounting guidance under SAB 101 will result in delayed recognition of revenues from our factory automation systems; we typically charge a fixed price for our factory automation systems and therefore, we are vulnerable to cost overruns; we have a limited number of customers, we do not have long-term purchase agreements with our customers, and the loss, cancellation or delay of an order by any of these customers could harm our business; we must continually improve our technology and develop new products to remain competitive; demand for less expensive semiconductors is increasing pressure to reduce our prices; industry consolidation and outsourcing could reduce the number of available customers; our operations outside North America expose us to special risks of doing business internationally; our investments in the Asia-Pacific market may not be successful; we face significant competition from other automation companies; we are increasingly dependent on subcontractors and one or a few suppliers of certain components, subassemblies and manufacturing processes; the failure of our key suppliers to deliver components on time could harm our business; we depend on our executive officers and other key personnel; our software products may contain defects that could result in claims and harm our business; we may be unable to protect our proprietary technology; others might claim that we infringe their technology; rising energy costs may increase our operating expenses; future acquisitions may disrupt the Company's operations; we are subject to pending class action securities litigation that could be costly to defend, divert the attention of our management and, if determined adversely to us, seriously harm our business; and other factors identified in our registration statement on Form S-3, file number 333-60180, filed with the SEC on May 3, 2000 and in the preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus relating to Brooks Automation's proposed acquisition of PRI Automation included in the registration statement on Form S-4, file number 333-74590, filed with the SEC on December 19, 2001. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements included in this release.
AeroLoader and TransFab are trademarks and AeroTrak is a registered trademark of PRI Automation, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. |
