ATS introduces flexibile automation workcells for high
precision manufacturing
TSE Symbol: ATA
CAMBRIDGE, ON, March 19 /CNW/ - As part of its strategic thrust to better
serve customers and advance its global market leadership, ATS Automation
Tooling Systems Inc. today announced the introduction of a new family of
standardized, high-precision automated manufacturing systems for advanced
electronic packaging and manufacturing applications.
Marketed under the brand name Flexsys(TM), this new family of standard
automation tools is ideally suited to high growth optoelectronics,
micromedical device, semiconductor, automotive electronics, computer
peripheral, wireless and microelectronics applications where customers need
solutions that can be rapidly deployed to offer maximum throughput, yield,
flexibility, scalability, reliability and re-usability.
As its name suggests, Flexsys offers customers greatly improved
flexibility in managing and expanding their manufacturing systems. Flexsys
tools can be reconfigured for different applications, enabling customers to
adapt their manufacturing to meet their future needs and to earn an ongoing
payback on their automation investments. One of the most attractive features
of the standardized Flexsys workcell design is the ability to easily and cost-
effectively upgrade a manufacturing system from an entry level semi-automated
application to a fully automated solution.
"The introduction of Flexsys represents a breakthrough in the development
of standard automation," said Klaus Woerner, ATS President and CEO. "In the
past, customers operating in micoelectronic and/or optoelectronics had to rely
on custom automation to meet their most advanced needs. But not any more
thanks to the development of Flexsys. Flexsys accommodates multiple process
and assembly operations on a single automated platform, enabling higher
production volumes and dramatically improving customer yields. Equally
important, a Flexsys workcell can be upgraded or reconfigured. The net result
is a powerful solution that has the capability to keep pace with customers'
changing requirements. It's the solution that grows with our customers.
"We believe Flexsys will provide users with discernable competitive
advantages and ATS with the means to further advance our industry leadership
in markets we believe offer very attractive, long-term growth rates."
Flexsys was developed internally at ATS using the Company's proven
diverse expertise in high accuracy manufacturing. The Flexsys family includes,
a semi-automated workcell (the Flexsys 1000), a fully automated workcell (the
Flexsys 2000), a high-speed, fully automated die bonder (the Flexsys 3000) and
an ultra high precision automated manufacturing system offering submicron
performance, vision-guided placement and data-driven software (the Flexsys
4000). The Flexsys family of systems is adaptable to a wide range of
applications such as in-package or chip-on-carrier assembly, active or passive
alignment, planar waveguide align/attach/test, die bonding, epoxy dispense and
cure, fiber pigtailing, inspection, test and measurement.
Mr. Woerner said the development of Flexsys represents "the continuation
of a strategic thrust at ATS to complement our custom automation capabilities
with a full toolkit of standard automation products. Standard automation
tools, such as our Superbot and SuperTrak systems and now Flexsys, give ATS
the means to better serve customers, advance the use of our solutions in new
and existing markets and increase our internal efficiency."
The Flexsys family was unveiled today at the Optical Fiber Conference
(OFC) in Anaheim, California.
ABOUT ATS
ATS Automation Tooling Systems (www.atsautomation.com) is the industry's
leading designer and producer of turn-key automated manufacturing and test
systems, which are used primarily by multinational corporations operating in a
variety of industries including: computer, microelectronics, optoelectronics,
automotive, healthcare, and consumer products. The Company also makes
precision components and sub-assemblies using its own custom-built
manufacturing systems, process knowledge and automation technology. ATS
employs approximately 3,200 people at 26 facilities in Canada, the United
States, Europe and Asia-Pacific. The Company's shares are traded on The
Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ATA.
Certain forward looking statements are made in this news release,
including statements regarding possible future business. Investors are
cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of ATS's
products, technologies, customer requirements and other risks detailed from
time to time in ATS's periodic reports filed with Canadian regulatory
authorities.
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For further information: Ron Jutras, Chief Financial Officer, (519) 653 6500
© 2002 Canada Newswire Ltd.