February 5, 2004 – Micronic Laser Systems AB, Taby, Sweden, said it is discontinuing the Sigma7100 system, saying it “did not meet the requirements for production stability.”
One system has been returned by customer DuPont Photomasks Inc., and another customer’s order which had been postponed has now been removed from the backlog. The first-generation laser pattern generation tool will be replaced by the Sigma7300, and both will be rebuilt for future sales. The company expects the total cost for rebuilding and writedowns will be about $14.7 million.
“The fact is that the Sigma7100 reached the market at the worst moment,” and customers are focusing on total cost-of-ownership on top of lithographic performance, said Sven Lofquist, president and CEO.