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semiconductor

Mitsubishi Electric to acquire Sharp factory to expand power device business

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Mitsubishi Electric has agreed to acquire buildings and land from Sharp Fukuyama Semiconductor, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sharp Corporation located in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.

The acquired properties will serve as a new site where Mitsubishi Electric’s Power Device Works will process wafers for the manufacture of power semiconductors.

New production facilities scheduled to start up in November of next year will enable Mitsubishi Electric to expand its power device business. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric to acquire Sharp factory to expand power device business

SEMI backs US government initiative to support to chipmaking in America

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Global semiconductor manufacturing industry association SEMI has expressed its backing for the US government’s initiative to support to chipmaking in America.

Facing a staggering “50 percent decline” in the US share of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity over the past 20 years, Congress has introduced the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act – also known as CHIPS for America Act.

The measures called for in the Act include a federal investment tax credit, which is “strongly supported” by SEMI, which represents the electronics manufacturing and design supply chain. [Read more…] about SEMI backs US government initiative to support to chipmaking in America

Overcoming chip defectivity challenges in automotive product development

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By Serena Brischetto, marketing and communications manager at SEMI Europe

In the future, electronics-related gear including advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) will account for a whopping 50 percent of automotive costs.

More importantly, with more control of vehicles shifting to automation, the margin of error in component performance and reliability will become vanishingly small as zero defects become the new safety standard.

SEMI’s Serena Brischetto spoke with Antoine Amade, senior regional director EMEA, Entegris about zero defects as a “new collaborative approach” (see video below) necessary to shape the car of the future and the automotive industry. [Read more…] about Overcoming chip defectivity challenges in automotive product development

North American semiconductor equipment industry posts high earnings

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North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $2.49 billion in billings worldwide in December 2019.

This is according to the December Equipment Market Data Subscription Billings Report published today by SEMI.

The billings figure is 17.5 percent higher than the final November 2019 level of $2.12 billion. [Read more…] about North American semiconductor equipment industry posts high earnings

Worldwide semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales jump 12 percent

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Worldwide semiconductor equipment manufacturers posted third-quarter 2019 billings of $14.9 billion, a quarter-over-quarter increase of 12 percent but down 6 percent from the third quarter of 2018.

This is according to data collated by SEMI, the global industry association representing the electronics manufacturing and design supply chain, reported today.

The data are gathered jointly with the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan from more than 80 global equipment companies that provide data on a monthly basis. [Read more…] about Worldwide semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales jump 12 percent

Bosch ‘poised for leap’ in e-mobility with new silicon carbide semiconductors

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Bosch says it is poised to make a technological “leap” in electric mobility as a result of developing new silicon carbide semiconductors.

The vast majority of semiconductors today are made using common silicon, which makes up 25 per cent of Earth’s crust, but silicon carbide is generally made from an extremely rare mineral called “moissanite”.

Bosch is secretive about its technology, but Harold Kroeger, member of the Bosch board of management, says: “Silicon carbide semiconductors will transform e-mobility.” [Read more…] about Bosch ‘poised for leap’ in e-mobility with new silicon carbide semiconductors

SEMICON Europa opens with smart mobility, medtech, design and talent in spotlight

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SEMICON Europa, Europe’s largest event connecting the entire electronics design and manufacturing supply chain – from innovation to applications – has opened in strategic co-location with productronica at Messe München, in Munich, Germany.

Themed Semiconductors Drive Smart, SEMICON Europa 2019 – November 12 to 15 – highlights the vital importance of European sectors and ecosystems in propelling the semiconductor manufacturing industry and the broader electronics design and manufacturing supply chain worldwide.

Olivier Schwab, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, kicks off the Executive Keynote Opening Ceremony with his presentation Leadership in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. [Read more…] about SEMICON Europa opens with smart mobility, medtech, design and talent in spotlight

Renesas joins Autonomous Vehicle Computing Consortium

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Renesas Electronics, a supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, has joined the Autonomous Vehicle Computing Consortium (AVCC) as a core member.

Renesas joins leaders from across the automotive ecosystem, including vehicle original equipment manufacturers, Tier 1 suppliers, and other semiconductor suppliers to help solve some of the most significant challenges of introducing self-driving vehicles at scale.

As the automotive industry pushes forward to meet the needs of an increasingly connected environment, vehicles are evolving to become more intelligent, more ecologically friendly, and more affordable. [Read more…] about Renesas joins Autonomous Vehicle Computing Consortium

Denso Hokkaido to expand semiconductor sensors production plant

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Denso says it will expand the plant of its semiconductor production plant which it operates under the name Denso Hokkaido, one of its group companies.

The measure is part of Denso’s efforts to increase production of semiconductor sensors, enhance its domestic production system and boost Denso group’s competitiveness.

Denso will invest about 11 billion yen ($103 million) by 2025 to complete the expansion and increase production. [Read more…] about Denso Hokkaido to expand semiconductor sensors production plant

Kuka develops mobile robot for semiconductor production

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Kuka has developed a mobile robot for semiconductor production. The system integrates a robotic arm with an autonomous wheeled platform.

Kuka says it developed the system because the production of semiconductors is particularly complex.

Until now there was no mobile, automated semiconductor production system that enabled component transfer from one step to the next. That has now changed with the Kuka wafer handling solution. [Read more…] about Kuka develops mobile robot for semiconductor production