CIMControl Framework(TM) with its Data-Driven Architecture Overcomes Substrate
Handling, Supervisory Control, and Factory Automation Issues at Tool Level,
Boosting OEE
SALT LAKE CITY, July 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cimetrix, Inc.
(OTC Bulletin Board: CMXX), a leading provider of factory automation software
and solutions for the global semiconductor industry, announced today the
availability of a new and innovative tool control solution --
CIMControlFramework(TM). CIMControlFramework is the result of a joint
development project between Cimetrix and semiconductor equipment leader,
Axcelis Technologies, to define, build, and deploy a next generation tool
control framework. The new software addresses the increasing demand for more
efficient 300mm substrate handling and factory automation at the tool level as
well as the need for more and better quality data. These objectives are
currently the focal point of such semiconductor industry initiatives as 300mm
Prime, Engineering Equipment Capabilities (EEC), Predictive and Preventive
Maintenance (PPM) and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). Combined with the
domain expertise of the new Cluster Tool Control Practice within the Company's
Global Services department, Cimetrix now offers a complete tool control
solution.
Semiconductor equipment suppliers today are required to provide tool
control capabilities that support more than a dozen SEMI standards related to
factory automation and control a host of commonly used substrate handling
components such as robots and vacuum system hardware. In addition,
data-driven initiatives by industry organizations focus on the importance of
data -- accessibility of high quality data, utilizing the data to improve
efficiency and productivity, and enabling future analysis of large amounts of
stored data. Unfortunately, most of the existing equipment control software
was developed prior to these new requirements.
"Our customers are demanding high-speed, dependable information from tool
suppliers in order to improve yield, productivity, and reliability. Axcelis
and Cimetrix developed software for our Integra RS tool using
CIMControlFramework to deliver optimum data collection, storage, management,
and analysis. Process and equipment engineers now have more information
accessible to them for accurate monitoring and troubleshooting, saving them
time and improving performance of the toolset," noted Bill Bintz, senior vice
present of marketing, Axcelis Technologies, Inc. "Our partnership with
Cimetrix was based on a shared vision of industry needs. By working together
as a team during this software development, Cimetrix will gain a new product
for their customers and we will benefit from the latest solution for advanced
tool control."
CIMControlFramework is a .NET-based software framework for OEMs that
provides the supervisory control, substrate handling, and factory automation
requirements of device manufacturers and the industry. Equipment suppliers
can leverage the framework features, configure or extend the framework, or
integrate their own process control technology. The data-driven architecture,
at the core of CIMControlFramework, utilizes the power of Cimetrix's
CIMPortal(TM) product as a high speed data router, to provide a high bandwidth
backbone for diagnostics and process data that is fed to multiple applications
within the tool and to external factory interfaces.
In addition to CIMControlFramework, Cimetrix has extended its Global
Services department with the addition of the new Cluster Tool Control
Practice. Industry veteran, Mike Baker, former leading architect and systems
control manager for AIXTRON/Genus, joined Cimetrix earlier this year to manage
the group and drive Cimetrix's new tool control initiatives. Leveraging the
functionality of CIMControlFramework and Cimetrix's domain expertise, the
Cluster Tool Control Practice will provide training, support, and integration
for a large scope of tool control projects.
"Listening to the needs and concerns of our 300mm customers led us to
expand into advanced tool control," said Bob Reback, president and CEO of
Cimetrix. "Axcelis has been an invaluable partner in helping us create
CIMControlFramework through the depth of their experience and our common
industry vision. Cimetrix is now able to offer 300mm equipment makers
complete semiconductor equipment software solutions, allowing our customers to
reduce their fixed costs and focus on their core competencies in today's
highly competitive environment."
CIMControlFramework will be demonstrated at the upcoming SEMICON West 2008
at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA, July 14-17 at booth #5356 in the
North Hall.
About Cimetrix Incorporated
Cimetrix designs, develops, markets, and supports factory automation and
tool control software for the global semiconductor and electronics industries.
A leading participant in SEMI standards development, Cimetrix's connectivity
software allows for quick implementation of the SECS/GEM, GEM 300 and EDA
standards. The company's products can be found on virtually every tool type
in nearly every 300mm factory worldwide. The added-value of Cimetrix's
passionate support and professional services creates the industry's only
complete software solution. Key products include, CIMControlFramework,
CIMConnect(TM), CIM300(TM), CIMPortal and CODE(TM) (Cimetrix Open Development
Environment). For more information, please visit http://www.cimetrix.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
The matters discussed in this news release include forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The comments made by the
Company's senior management in regards to future developments are based on
current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that may adversely
affect expected results including but not limited to the adoption by chip
makers of the Interface A standards specified by SEMI, an independent industry
trade group, market acceptance of the Company's products, the competitive
position of the Company and its products, which include CODE, CIMConnect,
CIM300 and CIMPortal product families, the economic climate in the markets in
which the Company's products are sold, technological improvements, and other
risks discussed more fully in filings by the Company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Many of these factors are beyond the control of the
Company. Reference is made to the Company's most recent filings on Forms 10-K
and 10-Q, which detail such risk factors.
SOURCE Cimetrix Incorporated
Dave Faulkner of Cimetrix Incorporated, +1-801-256-6500, or Fax,
+1-801-256-6510, faulkner@cimetrix.com; or Editorial Contact, Stew Chalmers of
Positio Public Relations, +1-818-681-3588, or Fax, +1-408-453-2404,
stew@positio.com, for Cimetrix Incorporated
