TRADE NEWS: Ismeca SA Selects Agilent Technologies to Partner in Providing Semiconductor Manufacturing Inspection Solutions

Business Wire, August 13, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 13, 2002

Agilent Vision Suite Enables a Single Platform Solution to Ensure

Quality Manufacturing Yields for ICs

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced that it will integrate its leading machine vision suite and inspection solutions into Ismeca SA's semiconductor test handler equipment as part of an OEM agreement between the two companies. The agreement is expected to result in the creation of a single, integrated solution that is superior in quality while maintaining high yields for small- to medium-sized components on Ismeca's test handlers.

"Agilent has demonstrated the ability to meet exacting accuracy, throughput, and reliability requirements for our test handler equipment," said Urs Gull, vice president of corporate product management at Ismeca SA. "The direct benefit from Agilent's leading machine vision technology for IC assembly inspection for our end users is improved manufacturing yields and superior final manufacturing output quality that ensures products are shipped according to specification."

Ismeca will integrate three Agilent Semiconductor Package Vision Inspection products into Ismeca's NT-16 and M-32 series test handlers. The Agilent LV8000 2D and 3D Lead Inspection System modules are both high-speed machine vision inspection systems for final inspection and measurement of IC leads that help to improve final manufacturing output quality and ensure that products are shipped according to specifications. The MV8000 Mark Inspection Station is a high-speed PC-based solution that detects and classifies both simple and advanced mark defects to improve manufacturing yield. Based on Windows NT(R), the mark inspection system is easy to use with familiar, user-friendly menus and screens that require minimal operator training. Ismeca's customers can choose to use one or all of these vision inspection products on a single platform, depending on the customer's requirements.

"We are extremely excited about this opportunity to partner with Ismeca to help them provide a seamless solution for their customers," said Bruce Bolliger, marketing manager of Agilent Technologies Singapore Vision Operation. "Quality and throughput will be further enhanced for Ismeca's world-leading semiconductor test handler equipment through the integration of Agilent's vision inspection modules, and their customers will realize the benefit of working with a single supplier for the fully integrated solution."

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics and life sciences. The company's 37,000 employees serve customers in more than 120 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $8.4 billion in fiscal year 2001. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements (including, without limitation, statements relating to the ability of Agilent integrate its leading machine vision suite and inspection solutions into Ismeca SA's semiconductor test handler equipment; the expectation that the outcome of the integration is the creation of an integrated solution that is superior in quality while maintaining high yields for small- to medium-sized components on Ismeca's test handlers; that the quality and throughput will be further enhanced for Ismeca's world-leading semiconductor test handler equipment through the integration of Agilent's vision inspection modules; and that customers will realize the benefit of working with a single supplier for the fully integrated solution) that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results of Agilent Technologies to differ materially from management's current expectations. These risks are detailed in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Agilent's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed Feb. 1, 2002, and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2002.

Windows NT is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

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