Timing Not Right for 450 mm Transition

摘要

The time is nto right to begin allocating resources to a 450 mm wafer transition that could cost the industry between $20 and $30 billion, according to a panel of equipment suppliers. The panel was convened during SEMICON West 2008 to elaborate on a 450 mm economic analysis published by the SEMI Equipment Productivity Working Group (EPWG). While the EPWG analysis was directed at answering the question of overall industry cost and benefit, a number of other significant issues were addressed by the panel, including limited R&D resources, potential timing, general transition misconceptions and the lack of industry support for a transition. John Ellis, vice president, Global Standards and Technology, SEMI, began the session by presenting the EPWG report's findings. The study concluded that "the return on investment is not there for the industry at this time," said Ellis.