EMS and Berkeley Achieve Customer Acceptance of First Shipment of Partnership

Electro Mechanical Solutions, Inc. and Berkeley Process Control, Inc. announced today the successful Customer Shipment Acceptance of the Sidewinder One as a result of their partnership in wafer handling technology. The Sidewinder One is integrated on an advanced Inductively Coupled Plasma Etch system for installation at a leading U.S. MEMS facility.

(PRWEB) January 16 2004--Electro Mechanical Solutions, Inc. of Tampa, Florida and Berkeley Process Control, Inc. of Richmond, California announced today the successful Customer Shipment Acceptance of the Sidewinder One as a result of their partnership in wafer handling technology. The Sidewinder One is integrated on an advanced Inductively Coupled Plasma Etch system for installation at a leading U.S. MEMS facility.

Sidewinder One represents the next generation of fully automated wafer handling through the enhanced performance of EMS previously acquired product rights for the Model 4.5 Vacuum Robotic Arm and 48V Vacuum Elevator integrated with Berkeley Process Controls latest BXi controller technology.

Shipment Acceptance and Marathon Handling Tests were jointly conducted by the VLSI Top Ten" capital equipment manufacturer and the MEMS facilitys engineering personnel.

The Sidewinder One meets the needs of semiconductor OEMs to enhance wafer handling performance without long development cycles. EMS rapid development and manufacturing capabilities and Berkeleys control technology enabled completion of the Sidewinder One development in less than four months," said Venkat Boyanapalli, President of EMS.

We are pleased to support EMS efforts to enhance wafer handling performance with Berkeleys Autocalibration technology and advanced wafer handling diagnostics," said Paul Sagues, President of Berkeley Process Control.

Electro Mechanical Solutions, Inc. is a contract manufacturer specializing in the design, fabrication and assembly of semiconductor vacuum processing equipment. EMS has a broad range of manufacturing and integration capabilities.

Berkeley Process Control, Inc. is a leading provider of flexible automation solutions to the semiconductor and other industries. Berkeley capabilities include multi-disciplinary engineering expertise to deliver motion, process and turn-key machine solutions.