Irvine, Calif., July 17, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Newport Corporation (Nasdaq:NEWP) today introduced its Automatic Door Opener (ADO), a 300-millimeter load port. The ADO delivers customers a state-of-the-art and easy-to-install load port that conforms to all industry standards. The Newport ADO will be featured at SEMICON West 2002 in Booth 436 in South Hall of Moscone Center in San Francisco from July 22-24, 2002.
Newport's ADO is the only load port on the market that utilizes servo control for force feedback. This feature is utilized a number of ways, from pinch point protection to front-opening universal pod (FOUP) interoperability. Another benefit of the force feedback technology is that it ensures wafer plane integrity with respect to the kinematic pins.
This same technology ensures that all gaps between the FOUP and the front-opening interface (FIMS) plane are essentially zero, maintaining market-leading seal integrity between the FOUP and the ADO.
"When applied to FOUP interoperability, the servo control/force feedback technology allows our ADO to open each FOUP door according to the actual dimensions of the specific FOUP on the load port," said Paul Bacchi, general manager of Newport's Kensington Laboratories unit. "Our ADO tailors the kinematic coupling motion and latch key motion to the specific FOUP on the load port without any switch adjustments. Consequently, FOUP interoperability is maximized since the ADO senses the stroke and door opening sequences for each individual FOUP."
The new ADO utilizes Newport's patent pending latch key opening mechanism, ensuring reliable and repeatable pod door opening, which minimizes errors and/or particulate contamination -- providing the highest industry throughput performance under Class 1 clean room conditions. This feature also eliminates the need for vacuum cups, yet another design feature that increases reliability. The ADO also features auto-detecting AC input, eliminating the need for external power supplies.
"The Newport-Kensington ADO is the only loadport that can be installed without any leveling or adjustments whatsoever," Bacchi said. "This enables customers to bring up the load port in minutes with consistent results. It is another example of our commitment to providing our customers with tools that lower wafer handling cost of ownership."
More information on Newport's semiconductor equipment product line is available on the company's Web site at www.newport.com/semi.
About Newport Corporation
Newport Corporation is a leading global supplier of advanced technology products and systems to the semiconductor, communications, electronics and research markets. The company provides components and integrated subsystems to manufacturers of semiconductor processing equipment, advanced automated assembly and test systems to manufacturers of communications and electronics devices, and a broad array of high-precision components and instruments to commercial, academic and government customers worldwide. Newport's innovative solutions leverage its expertise in precision robotics and automation, sub-micron positioning systems, vibration isolation and optical subsystems to enhance the capabilities and productivity of its customers' manufacturing, engineering and research applications. Newport is part of the Standard & Poor's Midcap 400 Index and the Russell 2000 Index.
Certain statements in this news release are 'forward-looking' statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. As discussed in Newport's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments with respect to various matters, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the control of Newport. Although Newport believes that the assumptions underlying the 'forward-looking' statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that the results contemplated in 'forward-looking' statements will be realized. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the 'forward-looking' information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by Newport or any other person that Newport's objectives or plans will be achieved. Newport undertakes no obligation to revise the 'forward-looking' statements contained herein to reflect such events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.