TABY, Sweden, Dec. 19, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Micronic Laser Systems AB (Stockholm:MICR) (Other OTC:MICLF), a leading manufacturer of laser pattern generation equipment for the semiconductor and display industries, today introduced a new laser pattern generator designed to meet the new requirements for plasma display panels (PDP). The Micronic MP185+ is the first pattern generator to address the market for the new generation of PDPs, and is capable of producing photomasks up to 1400 by 1850 mm. The system will be used to manufacture chrome PDP photomasks in volume production and R&D.
"The new generation of PDP substrates require larger photomasks and a different material, chrome," said Jorge Freyer, Sr. vice president for marketing & business development of Micronic Laser Systems. "The Micronic MP185+ is the first system of its kind that can handle such large chrome photomasks. The system is based on technology from the field-proven Micronic MP170+. By entering the market early with our new generation PDP solution, Micronic is positioned to capture a substantial portion of this market segment."
The MP185+ can be configured with up to four optical levels, allowing users to select the optimum balance between throughput and resolution. The Automatic Changeable Optics (ACO) option automates the level changes so each mask is written with optimal performance. The first system is scheduled for delivery in Q4, 2003.
About Micronic Laser Systems AB
Micronic Laser Systems is a Swedish high-tech company engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of a series of extremely accurate laser pattern generators for the production of photomasks. The technology involved is known as microlithography. Micronic's systems are used by the world's leading electronics companies in the manufacture of television and computer displays, semiconductor circuits and semiconductor packaging components. Micronic is located in Taby, north of Stockholm and at present has subsidiaries in the United States, Japan and Taiwan. Micronic maintains a Website at: http://www.micronic.se
Company contact: Agency contact: Ulf Sundstrom Dylan McGrath VP Customer Operation The Loomis Group, Inc. Tel: +46 8 638 52 00 Tel: +1 415 882 9494 ulf.sundstrom@micronic.se dylan@loomisgroup.com This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/12/19/20021219BIT00470/wkr0001.doc www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/12/19/20021219BIT00470/wkr0002.pdf