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Technology Stocks : Kulicke and Soffa -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jeffrey Thompson Hunter who wrote (2636)	2/17/1998 8:53:00 AM
From: James A. Chiafery	Respond to of 5482

NEWS For Immediate Release Company Contacts: For K&S: Analysts Jim Chiafery 215-784-6436 Media Henri Van Parys 215-784-6818 For PRI Automation: Jeff Nestel-Patt 978-670-4270 ext. 3024 For USDATA: Steve Budde 972-497-0220 K&S and Amkor/Anam Announce Plan to Implement Fully Automated Semiconductor Assembly Line Willow Grove, PA, February 17, 1998-Kulicke & Soffa Industries and Amkor/Anam Pilipinas, Inc., announced a plan to implement a fully automated semiconductor assembly line at Amkor's P3 factory in Manila. The plastic ball grid array (PBGA) was selected as the test vehicle for the pilot line, scheduled to be operational in the fourth quarter of 1998. The line will provide fully automated material transport from wafer preparation to mold. It will combine PRI Automation's AeroTrak( overhead monorail network with new and existing equipment manufactured by various vendors. New equipment supplied for the line will include several K&S Model 8020 gold ball bonders equipped with a top loading material handling system. To fully automate information flow, all equipment will be integrated with a K&S AutoFlex( information management system, resulting in a paperless assembly line. The next level CIM Cell Controller, based on USDATA's FactoryLink product, will provide information management from the K&S AutoFlex system to Amkor's existing manufacturing execution systems (MES). "This joint project will demonstrate that both new and existing assembly equipment, manufactured by various vendors, can be linked and automated without the need for major process changes or requalification," said John Campanale, K&S vice president, factory systems. "In addition, through our agreement with PRI Automation, our automation solution will span the factory seamlessly." "Amkor/Anam intends to maintain its leadership in semiconductor packaging services through continuous advancement and innovation of our high-volume manufacturing capabilities," said Robert Bond, Amkor director of advanced manufacturing. "For contract assembly, reduced cycle time with maximum product and equipment flexibility is critical, and we anticipate improvement as a result of this joint project. Amkor is pleased to be working with Kulicke & Soffa to validate the cost benefits achieved by automating and integrating the IC assembly process." Amkor/Anam is the global leader in IC packaging design, assembly and test services. Kulicke & Soffa (NASDAQ: KLIC) is the world's largest supplier of semiconductor assembly equipment. PRI Automation, Inc (NASDAQ: PRIA), headquartered in Billerica, Massachusetts, is a leading global supplier of advanced factory automation systems that enhance the competitiveness of semiconductor manufacturers. USDATA Corporation (NASDAQ: USDC) is a global supplier of real-time automation solutions and application development tools. AeroTrak is a trademark of PRI Automation, Inc. AutoFlex is a trademark of Kulicke & Soffa Industries Inc.