It looks as if AEIS and RFP are competing head on at NVLS, LRCX and AMAT according to another thread I read. It is not entirely unusual for there to be second source agreements for components. It should be noted that when you deal with these types of components you are dealing with somewhat of a beauty contest. The process engineers and the mainatenance staff have a love affair and comfort zone with certain components. For instance, they all like the idea of interchangeability and compatibility. To this end, they strive to have the same vendor for things such as pumps and pumping packages. Once a component company is identified, they stick with them until something outstanding comes along to change their minds. Such is the case with these power supplies. I know that in numerous cases, AEIS provided a very cost effective and much more reliable product than the original supplies that came with our plasma systems. I know that we displaced an original vendor with AEIS because of the vast improvements we saw. I do not know if the same can be said for RFP or ASTX since our experience is limited there. So when the time came, we retrofitted as much as possible and SPECIFIED that new systems be ordered with AEIS supplies.
The last statement is the "rub". IT is difficult to determine what the standard configuration of a system from NVLS, AMAT, or LRCX is. I beleive power supplies/RF generators are part of an options list. Eventually one company may win out over another only because of a comfort zone from the end user's maintenance staff.
But in defense of AEIS, I beleive they have demonstrated their willingness to listen to the end user and their willingness to implement/incorporate upgrades to their systems that are filtered back from their customer base. This healthy alliance has impressed companies like those mentioned above and positions them to be a world class provider. I do not know of any dissatisifed customers and I beleive they have a top notch, creative and open minded engineering staff.
I probably haven't answered your question to your satisfaction but with limited knowledge of RFP and no sustaneous info on ASTX, I still am very strong and long on AEIS. Beisdes, with the DVD markets emerging, there is room for all 3 companies to prosper.
PS - I must admit it came as a surprise that RFP and AEIS are that competitive since AEIS recently acquired NVLS as a customer. |
