Profile: KAMTEK BE`AM (CAMT.O)

Camtek Limited (Camtek), incorporated in 1987, designs, develops, manufactures and markets automated optical inspection (AOI), systems and related products. AOI systems are computerized systems that optically inspect various types of electronic product components for defects caused during the manufacturing process. The AOI systems are used for production processes and yields for manufacturers in three industries: the printed circuit board (PCB) industry; the high density substrates for interconnection of integrated circuit devices (IC) substrate, industry and the semiconductor manufacturing and packaging industry. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company sold more than 2300 AOI systems in 34 countries globally. In May 2009, the Company announced the acquisition of Printar Ltd., an Israeli company. Printar Ltd. is engaged in manufacturing, sale and marketing of direct digital material deposition systems and inks for the PCB industry, with two major fields of activity: Solder Mask, an epoxy layer selectively covering the PCB, while leaving the connecting pads uncovered, and Legend, applying the identification nomenclature on the PCB. In November 2009, the Company completed the acquisition of Semiconductor Engineering Laboratories Ltd. (SELA).

The AOI system consist of an electro-optical assembly unit, either movable or fixed, which consists of a video camera, precision optics and illumination sources. The electro-optical unit captures the image of the inspected product and a precise, movable table that holds the inspected product. The AOI systems consist of an electronic hardware unit, which operates the entire system and includes embedded components that process and analyze the captured image by using the algorithms. The products for PCB and IC substrate industries consists of the Dragon and Orion lines for the inspection of inner and outer layers of PCB panels; the Pegasus line for final inspection (AFI) of IC substrate; the Mustang line for final inspection (AFI) of high density (HD) panels; the Planet for inspection of ultra-fine-line IC substrate; and large area masks (LAM) dedicated for inspection of artwork and photo masks.

Dragon systems are high-throughput, automation-ready systems for inspection of all PCB types in a mass production environment. Dragon models are optimized for PCB technology ranges from mainstream circuits of typically 100 microns conductor line width, up to high density substrates having 12 microns conductive lines. All Dragon models are designed to interface with automated material handling mechanisms provided by the Company or other automation suppliers.

Orion systems are AOI systems for inspection of all PCB types designed to operate in Inspectify mode of operation. Inspectify is a mode of operation enabling the operator to perform verification immediately after inspection on the same system, thus saving time and eliminating handling-related defects.

The Pegasus line includes systems for automated inspection of finished IC substrates that are used in packaging of BGA and chip scale package (CSP) devices. The Pegasus inspects both sides of the substrate, detecting process and mechanical defects in particular in the gold-plated areas where the substrate would interconnect with the silicon die or the PCB and in the solder-mask areas. Pegasus models handle substrates in strip format in magazines.

The Mustang line includes systems for automated inspection of finished HD panels that are subsequently used in mobile consumer electronics, such as mobile-phones, digital cameras, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other consumer electronic devices. The Mustang inspects both sides of the panel, detecting process and mechanical defects, in particular in the gold-plated areas where the substrate would interconnect with the silicon die or the PCB and in the solder-mask areas. Mustang models handle panels in panel format in magazines.

Planet is designed for the inspection of ultra-fine-line IC substrate, down to 10 microns line/space technologies. The Planet addresses the inspection needs of the IC substrate industry - ultra-fine line.

LAM is designed for main-stream Large Area Masks (LAM) inspection. It offers detection ability on LAM with down to 25 microns line/space width technology. The LAM incorporates technology innovations to ensure the level of detection that these fine masks require at this critical production stage. The LAM inspection system contains designed image acquisition system, where the mask under inspection is located in between illumination sources and digital camera.

The Automated Inspectify Center (AIC) integrates inspection and verification into one efficient cell that maximizes productivity across the entire AOI operation. Through its pickup and transfer mechanism, the AIC bridges between the Dragon and Camtek’s verification station, CVR-200. Material flow is balanced and streamlined at the Dragon’s scan rate. Since panels are on and off-loaded automatically, handling-related defects are eliminated.

The Falcon algorithms and inspection capabilities enable its dedicated models to detect defects in the semiconductor die, which, if left undetected, may cause premature failure. In addition, inspection data can be used by customers to monitor and characterize several wafer finishing processes, troubleshoot functional testing issues or control the integrity of the interconnect bump arrays made on dice intended for packaging in flip chip technology.

The Falcon family include models for three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) metrology and inspection of bumped-wafer prepared for packaging in the flip-chip technology. It includes 2D metrology and inspection of finished wafers at the end of their manufacturing process and in test houses, where inspection adds the value of monitoring the marks left by the testing probe or protect probe cards from damage by dust particles. It also includes post-dicing inspection of frame-mounted wafers at assembly and packaging facilities. The Falcon family includes inspection and metrology of micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and other special applications, where customized handling solutions and inspection capabilities are required for complex structures and non-standard materials.

The Company competes with Orbotech Ltd., Dainippon Screen, Lloyd-Doyle, ManiaBarco, Shirai, Utechzone, Rudolph Technologies Inc., KLA-Tencor, Zygo, Topcon, Toray, Hitachi and Tosok.