Aquest Systems Completes Installation at Powerchip Semiconductor

FabEX(TM) AMHS Improves IC Fab Productivity

SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Aquest Systems, developer
of the next-generation Automated Material Handling Systems (AMHS) for the
global semiconductor industry, today announced the completion of a
multimillion-dollar installation at two Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation's
(Taiwan OTC: 5346.TWO) 300-mm twin fabs-P1 and P2. Based in Taiwan, PSC is a
world leader in the manufacture of semiconductor memory products.
This installation leverages Aquest's No-Wait-Productivity(SM) (NWP)
improvement solution announced in November of last year. To help overburdened
automation solutions installed in today's IC fabs, Aquest's patented FabEX
Transporter was designed to be readily assimilated into existing fabs,
requiring no changes to customers' established automation systems, and
interfacing directly with the stockers and to overhead transport (OHT) AMHS
vehicles. Installing the FabEX Transporter allows chipmakers like PSC to
speed cycle time, improve equipment utilization, and increase production
capacity. In addition to these benefits, productivity improvements based on
Aquest's solution are immediate.
PSC has installed more than 300 meters of Aquest's next generation AMHS,
the high-speed, high-capacity FabEX Transporter improving the productivity of
PSC's existing automated material handling system from Asyst Technologies.
The 300 meters of FabEX Transporter added to PSC's existing automated system,
including 18 stocker interfaces and OHT drop-off locations, moves thousands of
FOUPs (front opening unified pods of wafers) each day between PSC's fabs P1
and P2. Over the last few months of operation, Aquest's FabEX Transporter
demonstrated reliability and up-time comparable to current automated systems
in the market.
Commenting on the installation, Bruce Liao, Aquest's Taiwan vice president
and general manager, added, "The successful collaboration with PSC is evidence
that our Asia-based business model is an effective method for creating
next-generation automation products. We value our strong partnership with
Powerchip Semiconductor, and are looking forward to maintaining a
long-standing relationship with this leading chipmaker."
About FabEX AMHS
FabEX is an optimized, No-Wait-AMHS that brings Aquest's
No-Wait-Manufacturing vision to fruition. With its patent-pending technology
which transports wafer-containers, called FOUPs, at high speeds (>3
meters/second), FabEX is significantly faster than conventional AMHS built
from conveyors or overhead hoist vehicles. It also has the ability to move
around curves, while minimizing vibrations with minimal particle generation.
Finally, since FabEX does not need any vehicles, it provides the high capacity
afforded by conventional conveyor systems. All of this, coupled with
sophisticated internet-protocol (IP) technology-based controls and software,
enable seamless integration into semiconductor fabs.
About Aquest Systems
Founded in 2004, Aquest Systems is the pioneer of
No-Wait-Manufacturing(SM) (NWM) automation technologies for the worldwide
semiconductor industry. A truly global company, Aquest employs a worldwide
organization to efficiently leverage talent and resources in the United
States, Japan, Taiwan and India. The company is privately held and
headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif. More information can be found at
http://www.aquestsystems.com.
No-Wait-Manufacturing, No-Wait-Productivity, and No-Wait-AMHS are service
marks of Aquest Systems.
FabEX is a trademark of Aquest Systems.
SOURCE Aquest Systems

Carol Higgins of Aquest Systems, +1-408-530-2503, chiggins@aquestsystems.com;
or Kelly Picasso of MCA, +1-650-968-8900, ext. 127, kpicasso@mcapr.com, for
Aquest Systems