Interview Content
Q: Please provide us with a brief introduction of the esmo group and its business operations in the semiconductor industry.
A: The esmo group of companies, with its business units semiconductor, automation, and construction tools, was founded in Rosenheim, Germany, in 2001. The German plants cater to European and U.S. customers, whereas the Chinese plant caters to Asian-Pacific customers, thus providing global service and support to their international customer base. Currently, the esmo group is the world's largest supplier of tester manipulators, also referred to as test head manipulators.
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Q: What's esmo's position in the semiconductor supply chain? What areas of the semiconductor industry does esmo work in?
A: esmo semicon is one of the leading suppliers of tester manipulators, docking and interfacing equipment, and IC test handlers. We mainly provide auxiliary equipment for semiconductor ATE equipment manufacturers, and so our products are compatible with mainstream test systems, including Advantest, Teradyne, Cohu, Chrome, Sandtek, CCtech, Accotest, etc.
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Q: What specific product technologies or solutions does esmo provide for the semiconductor industry?
A: esmo semicon mainly provides tester manipulators, pogo towers, prober/tester docking and interfacing systems, engineering IC handlers, but also customized test sockets and test head housing solutions. As mentioned before, the esmo group is the world's leading manufacturer of manipulators for the ATE sector.
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Q: What are the characteristics and advantages of esmo products?
A: esmo products are mainly used in semiconductor testing applications. esmo test head manipulators, for instance, offer a wide range of loading weight options, with solutions ranging from60 kg to 1,200 kg. Among other features, they offer a most stable and reliable performance, flexible operation, and high compatibility, so they can be integrated into any test cell according to specific user requirements. We also provide special test cells and supporting equipment. For example, our two universal tester manipulators Pegasus (Tianma) and Ikarus (Dapeng), which are compatible with almost all test heads on the market, show an extraordinarily high market occupancy. The manipulator arm width may be adjusted to the respective test head configuration, so the test head can be rotated and moved in a flexible and stable manner – aside from that, special features may be customized.
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Q: How about corporate development and application of esmo products in the Chinese market? What's the special support for Chinese customers and what are your future plans?
A: Since its establishment, esmo China has been growing steadily and rapidly, and esmo test head manipulators have been widely used by major semiconductor manufacturing, packaging, and testing companies. esmo China has a solid and good relationship with numerous well-known IC testing equipment manufacturers. We have also actively supported the development of China's semiconductor industry, as most parts have been sourced locally.
Our plans for the future: esmo will further introduce the localization of its product line, and contribute to the upgrading of China's semiconductor industry as well as to the acceleration of development.
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Q: With the shrinking of semiconductor processing sizes and the continuous development of advanced packaging, SIP, and heterogeneous integration technologies, please talk about these new requirements for semiconductor test technology? What is the development trend of semiconductor testing technology in the future?
A: As advanced semiconductor packaging continues to evolve, more and higher demands are placed on test frequency, test speed, heat dissipation, and automation. esmo provides complete and proven solutions to support customers in quickly solving their test challenges, and taking the lead in the rapid growth of the semiconductor investment boom.
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<Silicon Semiconductor China> – the 'sister' title to Silicon Semiconductor, the world's most respected and authoritative publication, published by ACT International in Hong Kong – reports and publishes the latest news, in-depth analyses, and authoritative commentaries on the semiconductor industry. It provides Chinese semiconductor professionals with essential business, technology, and product information. Its editorial covers semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, wafer fabrication, integrated circuits, MEMs, FPDs, etc. The publication serves the Chinese semiconductor industry, from IC design, manufacturing, packaging to application, etc.