Fremont, CA, February 27, 2001 -Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq NM: ASYT), the world's largest semiconductor fab automation company, today unveiled a new addition to its family of front-end wafer-cassette input/output (I/O) products. The Asyst manual open-cassette adapter (MOCA) is a bolt-on option for Asyst's 200mm class load port tools that, when paired with original equipment manufacturers' (OEMs') process tools, allows fabs to run older-technology open wafer cassettes on new 200mm tools. This creates a bridge to Class 1-quality isolation based on Standard Mechanical InterFace (SMIF™) technology-for which most current 200mm tools are optimized-thus enabling older fabs to take advantage of modern SMIF designs without having to immediately implement a full-fab upgrade.

While the overwhelming majority of new semiconductor fabs use SMIF technology, many of the world's older semiconductor fabrication facilities still use open-cassette technology. However, fully SMIF-implemented fabs produce significantly higher yields than open-cassette fabs. While Asyst continues to strongly encourage manufacturers using the less-clean open-cassette technology to transition to SMIF, the MOCA option gives Asyst a unique opportunity to meet the needs of this market segment. With the new adapter added to Asyst front-end tools and ported to their SMIF-ready 200mm process systems, OEMs can offer a more comprehensive set of solutions to their end-user customers.

"We know that many companies operating open-cassette fabs would like to use newer-generation manufacturing tools, but aren't yet ready to implement a full upgrade to SMIF," said Tony Bonora, Asyst's chief technology officer. "Now, with the MOCA option, we can offer fabs a newer-class tool that's SMIF-ready, but can also run open cassettes today. Then, when the company is prepared to transition to the SMIF process, they can simply remove the adapter instead of replacing the entire I/O front end. In this way, our I/O tools, due to their full plug-and-play compatibility, can become a true bridge, both backward to the open-cassette marketplace and forward into the realm of 300mm wafers. This is the kind of flexibility that chipmakers need, and now Asyst, working together with our OEM customers, can provide it."

Production versions of MOCA have already begun shipping with the VersaPort™ 2200 load port tool to key OEM customers; to date, Asyst has shipped over 230 units. The adapter is fully certified to the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) S2 standard and the European CE standard for safety and reliability, assuring ease of certification for any OEM that purchases the product for use with its tools.

Pricing and Availability
The Asyst MOCA load-port option is base-priced at less than $4,900, and is available now for use with the VersaPort 2200 load port tool. By early 2001, the MOCA adapter will be available as a bolt-on production option to Asyst's other front-end products in the SMIF 200mm Load-Port I/O Series, including the SMIF-LPT (Load-Port Transfer) and SMIF-LPI (Load-Port Interface), and the SMIF-INX™ (Indexer) Series. The product will also be available midyear as a standalone configuration for implementation in the field with existing systems.

About Asyst
Asyst Technologies, Inc. is the leading provider of isolation and automation technologies that enable semiconductor makers to protect their valued assets throughout the manufacturing process while increasing manufacturing productivity. Through this "Value-Assured Fab" strategy, Asyst offers a broad range of 200mm and 300mm solutions that enable the safe transfer of wafers and information between the process equipment and the fab line throughout the IC fabrication process, preventing human, environmental, mechanical and chemical harm. Encompassing robotics, portals, wafer and reticle carriers, connectivity and interface products, and transport and loading products, Asyst's modular, interoperable solutions allow chipmakers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to select and employ the value-assured, hands-off manufacturing capabilities that best suit their needs.