The Week In Review: Manufacturing

Fab equipment
ASML posted strong sales in the quarter and is apparently nearly sold out of scanners based on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, according to analysts. “ASML posted strong 2Q results and 2Q guidance, providing further evidence that demand remains high for semiconductor equipment,” said Weston Twigg, an analyst with KeyBanc Capital Markets, in a research note. “Demand drivers are strong across the board, with a notable increase from DRAM customers in 2Q, while 2H strength should be led by logic and foundry customers, particularly with the EUV shipment ramp.

“2Q orders included eight new EUV NXE:3400B systems, of which we believe six were for Samsung and two were for Intel,” Twigg said. “By our estimates, Samsung, Intel, and TSMC are very close in terms of EUV commitments (all between 12-14 units delivered or ordered), and ASML is nearly fully booked through 2018.”

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In a blog, Applied Materials discusses Industry 4.0 manufacturing techniques as a means to achieve higher levels of operational excellence.

In a video, Aki Fujimura, chief executive of D2S, recaps the hot topics at Photomask Japan, such as deep learning, pixel-level dose correction, EUV, multi-beam and nanoimprint lithography (NIL). Meanwhile, as part of a mask modeling series, Ryan Pearman of D2S reviews the challenges of mask modeling in the EUV era.

The SEMI Foundation has announced that its flagship High Tech U (HTU) program received the Innovative Program Award at the High Impact Technology Exchange Conference (HI-TEC). The Innovative Program Award recognizes advanced technology education professionals that have designed and implemented a significant innovation, which has led to a positive impact on student enrollment, retention, or advanced technological education. The HI-TEC event and award are sponsored by a consortium of National Science Foundation-funded centers and projects. “We are honored that SEMI High Tech U has been recognized by stakeholders in the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (ATE) workforce programs,” said Leslie Tugman, executive director of the SEMI Foundation. “It has been very rewarding to work with our industry partners to emphasize the importance of STEM skills and inspire young people to pursue careers in high technology fields. Seventy percent of HTU alumni graduate college with STEM degrees and work in STEM careers.”

Market research
China has big plans in semiconductors. According to SEMI’s latest 200mm Fab Outlook report, China currently has about 700,000 wafers per month (wpm) in terms of installed 200mm fab capacity. In 200mm, China is forecasted to surpass 900,000 wpm by the end of 2021, or over 28% growth in five years, according to SEMI.

Sales of both DRAM and NAND are expected to set record highs this year, according to IC Insights. In both cases, the strong upturn is driven by rising average selling prices.

LEDinside, a division of TrendForce, reveals that many companies have entered the micro LED market and are in a race to develop methods for the mass transfer process.