Omron Corp‘s (OTC:OMRNY) latest X-ray scanner is expected to significantly improve semiconductor manufacturing by identifying flaws at an advanced 1-nanometer scale.
The intention is to produce high-resolution 3D images of chips with rapid scanning capability — 30 seconds, Bloomberg reports.
Omron is a Japanese company specializing in healthcare equipment and factory automation.
Also Read: Lam Research, ASML Lead Surge In Revenue From China Despite US Trade Curbs
The scanning tech will allow chipmakers to monitor and adjust production processes in near real-time closely, which is particularly beneficial for central chip fabricators like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (NYSE:TSM) and Samsung Electronics Co (OTC:SSNLF), as it directly influences the yield of defect-free chips, impacting production costs and efficiency.
Omron’s entry into the semiconductor market began in 2012 with the VT-X900 model but has remained a relatively small part of its business. The company’s focus on real-time CT (computed tomography) scanning responds to the semiconductor industry’s trend toward producing a wider variety of chips in smaller batches.
The demand for CT scanning in chip manufacturing has surged due to the increasing complexity and cost of producing chips. Advanced chip designs, such as those used by Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:NVDA) for their top-of-the-line artificial intelligence accelerators, are constrained by the manufacturing capabilities of companies like TSMC. These chips require precise quality control, as even minor misalignments can render expensive chips worthless. The new X-ray technology from Omron can help detect these imperfections and allow for adjustments during the manufacturing process, thereby improving yield and reducing waste.
Omron’s latest CT scanner model represents a significant advancement, halving the scan time compared to its previous models.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
