SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 21, 2009--
Applied Materials, Inc. announced today that its recently-launched Applied
HCT MaxEdge™ wire saw is already in volume
production at key customers in Europe and Asia for solar photovoltaic
(PV) wafering applications. The MaxEdge system revolutionized wire saw
technology with the industry’s first dual-wire system, enabling
significantly higher throughput and load capacity than competitive
systems, while requiring much less factory floor space and fewer
operators for equivalent megawatt output. MaxEdge systems have been
qualified for production in as little as four weeks, rapidly meeting
customers’ stringent performance and quality specifications.
According to Dr. Patrick Markschläger and Axel Schmidt, managing
directors of Wacker Schott Solar, “The MaxEdge systems are an important
part of our commitment to delivering competitive, high-end products that
meet the exacting specifications of our customers. Our excellent working
relationship with Applied resulted in very successful start-up of the
MaxEdge systems. We are confident that this teamwork will enable us to
continue to achieve the world class yield and productivity we need to
meet our customers’ current and future roadmap requirements.”
“We are experiencing strong demand for the MaxEdge technology, with over
40 systems shipped in the last three months,” said Jean-Maurice Imbert,
general manager of Applied’s Precision Wafering Systems division. “The
system’s rapid market momentum shows that the technology is meeting the
expectations of PV customers focused on both quality and cost. We worked
closely with our customers to boost wafer output and to lower operating
expenses – which are critical to making solar electricity competitive
with grid power.”
Launched in March 2009, the uniquely designed MaxEdge system delivers
50% higher productivity than the previous generation of wire saws by
using two, independently-controlled 120μm diameter cutting wires.
Advanced process control is used to lower wire tension, reducing wire
wear and unplanned downtime, while maintaining wafer thickness
uniformity and surface finish. Reduced tension also allows smaller
diameter cutting wires to be used, resulting in significantly less
silicon loss without compromising yield. For more information, please
visit http://www.appliedmaterials.com/products/maxedge_3.html.
Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in
Nanomanufacturing Technology™ solutions with a broad portfolio of
innovative equipment, service and software products for the fabrication
of semiconductor chips, flat panel displays, solar photovoltaic cells,
flexible electronics and energy efficient glass. At Applied Materials,
we apply Nanomanufacturing Technology to improve the way people live.
Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.
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Source: Applied Materials, Inc.
Applied Materials, Inc.
Betty Newboe, 408-563-0647 (editorial/media)
Michael
Sullivan, 408-986-7977 (financial community)
