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Technology Stocks : PRI Automation (PRIA) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ian@SI who wrote (1119)	2/19/2001 4:21:17 PM
From: Proud_Infidel	Respond to of 1214

PRI Automation Unveils AeroLoader(R) III -- Newest Version of its Overhead Hoist Transport System Key Component of PRI's New TransFab(TM) Unified Material Handling System to be Used in 300mm Fabs BILLERICA, Mass., Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- PRI Automation, Inc., (Nasdaq: PRIA - news), a global leader in semiconductor factory automation systems and software, today announced the availability of the AeroLoader III, PRI's system for fab-wide interbay and intrabay overhead wafer transport. The AeroLoader III provides direct tool-to-tool wafer transport and is a critical component of the company's recently announced TransFab unified material handling system. The AeroLoader III incorporates new functionality that can improve hot lot delivery times, increase overall system reliability and provide the most flexible routing algorithms when compared to conventional AMHS systems. The AeroLoader III is designed to carry 300mm front opening unified pods (FOUPs) and reticle carriers. ``Over the next two years the industry will move beyond 300mm manufacturing pilot lines to full scale 300mm production,'' said Carl Johnson, director of AeroLoader product marketing for PRI Automation's factory systems division. ``Direct tool to tool wafer delivery is a critical component in the highly automated 300mm fab. AeroLoader III provides the functionality and reliability manufacturers need to ensure that their wafers arrive at the right tool at the right time. PRI has spent over ten years developing the expertise and understanding of the complex issues relating to controlling and managing the movement of wafers throughout the fab. AeroLoader III was designed to provide manufacturers with the same flexibility and reliability they have come to expect from our industry-proven AeroTrak(TM) system.'' AeroLoader III is based on PRI's field-proven AeroTrak platform known for its high reliability and superior payload safety. The new AeroLoader III system is faster, lighter and easier to manufacture than previous versions of the product. Vehicle speeds have been increased from 110 fpm to 400 fpm and hoist cycle times have been reduced to less than 15 seconds. The AeroLoader III system software provides advanced vehicle management for shortest-path routing and prioritized hot lot delivery. Flexible automation systems are extremely important to manufacturers as they finalize the layout of their process tools in the process bay. Heavy, hard-to-configure automation systems make it difficult for manufacturers to create the most efficient layout of their expensive process equipment. The AeroLoader III system continues PRI's tradition of giving manufacturers the most flexibility when determining the final equipment placement in the process bay. ``During a recent installation of an AeroLoader system, the customer notified our install team that one of their process tools had a service module that needed to be removed which would have conflicted with the proposed track layout,'' continued Mr. Johnson. ``Because the AeroLoader track system is so flexible, our install team was able to re-route the track away from the service module by simply installing several new sections of track and thus avoid the service module.'' About PRI Automation PRI Automation, Inc., headquartered in Billerica, Massachusetts, is the leading global supplier of advanced factory automation systems and software 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 www.pria.com. Subject 50522

To: Ian@SI who wrote (1119)	3/5/2001 9:50:52 AM
From: Proud_Infidel	Respond to of 1214

PRI Automation Announces TransNet Version 3 -- New Release of Material Control Software Ready for the Fully-Automated 300mm Fab Currently Being Installed in World's Largest 300mm Production Fab BILLERICA, Mass., March 5 /PRNewswire/-- PRI Automation, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRIA - news), a global leader in semiconductor factory automation systems and software, today announced the release of TransNet(TM) Version 3. The newest version of PRI's suite of material control software was developed to meet the automated material handling system (AMHS) requirements of a fully automated 300mm fab. PRI's recently announced TransFab(TM), the first unified material handling system, will use the TransNet suite of solutions to manage the complexity of fab-wide automated material handling in fully-automated fabs as they come on line over the next several years. The TransNet suite of products includes Material Control System (MCS), Transport Controller, Stocker Controller, Reticle Management System (RMS), as well as Siteview Performance Monitor. In addition to powerful interbay material handling, the TransFab and TransNet 3 systems support intelligent intrabay delivery directly to process tools, allowing one system to support the entire fab's material handling needs. By offering these products as pre- tested, pre-integrated solutions, PRI provides the highest level of integration possible for managing all AMHS activities in the fab. TransNet is an open system that easily plugs into the customer's CIM environment by providing open components that work with industry-standard messaging, thereby reducing the time, cost, and risk of system integration. ``We understand that integrating fab-wide automation components into a seamless, reliable system is one of our customers' biggest challenges,'' said Norm Tripp, director of software product marketing for PRI Automation's factory systems division. ``TransNet Version 3 has been designed with the fully-automated 300mm fab in mind. It provides a complete material control software environment with the robust features needed to manage fab-wide automation components.'' TransNet Version 3 offers a top-to-bottom architecture for managing all the components in the TransFab system -- TurboStocker(TM), AeroTrak(TM), and AeroLoader(TM) -- creating a highly reliable, flexible system capable of delivering wafers and reticles when and where they are needed throughout the fab. TransNet Version 3 has been designed to handle the growth in AMHS activity anticipated in 300mm fabs. The system can handle up to 20 times the AMHS capacity currently projected for a fully automated 300mm fab. This robust ``upside capacity'' built into TransNet, means that the material control software is capable of handling the most demanding AMHS requirements in high volume production fabs helping to reduce risk and protect the manufacturer's investment in the fab. The TransNet 3 system also reduces risk by anticipating increased use of scheduling techniques that are expected to be utilized in 300mm fabs. TransNet 3 was developed with the capability to intelligently use scheduling information to handle demand peaks, smooth demand on AMHS resources and clear the way for hot lot deliveries as well as the capability to use schedule ``due date'' information to sequence moves of the entire AMHS. About PRI Automation PRI Automation, Inc., headquartered in Billerica, Massachusetts, is the leading global supplier of advanced factory automation systems and software 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 www.pria.com. Forward-Looking Cautionary Statements Except for historical information and discussions contained herein, statements included in this release constitute ``forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause results to differ materially, as discussed in the company's filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Media Contact: PRI Contact: Michael J. Greeley Jeffrey Nestel-Patt Stauch Vetromile & Mitchell PRI Automation 401-438-0614 978-670-4270 ext. 3161 michaelg@svmmarcom.com jnestel-patt@pria.com SOURCE: PRI Automation, Inc.

To: Ian@SI who wrote (1119)	3/15/2001 8:02:05 AM
From: orkrious	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1214

Ian, the only decent size position I have in the semi equips is CYMI. Given the low valuations in the small caps, I'm thinking about reestablishing other positions. I've read many people who think that companies may shelve add'l 200mm capacity fabs but go ahead with 300mm. I believe you (maybe someone else) said automation is the first thing to go into a new fab. Is PRIA still your favorite? Their valuation is nowhere near as cheap as ASYT. Looking at price appreciation potential, which would you pick? Are there any other interesting low-risk (or at least lower-risk <G>) plays in this area? TIA Jay