MILPITAS, Calif., March 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today KLA-Tencor Corporation™ (Nasdaq: KLAC), the world's leading supplier of process control and yield management solutions for the semiconductor and related industries, introduced the newest addition to its Component Inspector series, the ICOS® CI-T620—a high-performance component inspector system for tape and reel*. The CI-T620 is a fully automated optical inspector of integrated circuit (IC) packages for 3D measurements and package quality with dual tapers for improved output. The new system is designed to offer superior inspection accuracy, reduced cost of ownership (CoO), and increased flexibility.

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The new ICOS CI-T620 is designed to offer customers:

    --  Superior inspection: Enhanced tool accuracy through 3D metrology
        inspection down to 5 micrometers and high-resolution imaging to capture
        surface defects down to 40 micrometers
    --  Reduced CoO: Faster package changeover (<5 minutes) and a throughput
        increase of up to 80 percent, compared to prevailing industry methods,
        thereby reducing the total cost of ownership
    --  Inspection flexibility: A complete portfolio of unique 2D and 3D
        inspection capabilities supported by KLA-Tencor's proprietary
        technology, and compatibility with a broad range of packages and
        sizes—including the largest package size range of 3x3 to 42.5 x 42.5mm

"The CI-T620 demonstrates our commitment to innovation in packaged IC component defect inspection," said Jeff Donnelly, group vice president of the Growth and Emerging Markets division at KLA-Tencor. "We've built on the overwhelming success of the existing CI platform, with more than 2,000 tools installed to-date worldwide, by creating the industry's most intuitive and flexible component inspection tool."

KLA-Tencor's component inspector system will be introduced at SEMICON China, taking place March 15–17 at the Shanghai Convention and Exhibition Center. All component inspection tools are backed by KLA-Tencor's global, comprehensive service network. For more information on the ICOS CI-T620 back end IC component inspector, please visit the product web page at: http://www.kla-tencor.com/back-end-defect-inspection/icos-ci-t620-component-inspector.html.

*Tape and reel is a process of packing surface mount devices by loading them into individual pockets within a pocket tape or carrier tape. The units are sealed in the carrier tape with a cover tape, usually by heat or pressure. The carrier tape is wound around a reel for convenient handling and transport.  The reel is enclosed in a reel box before it is finally shipped to the customer. The CI-T620 system has dual tapers working sequentially with minimal operator intervention to dramatically increase units per hour.

About KLA-Tencor:

KLA-Tencor Corporation (NASDAQ: KLAC), a leading provider of process control and yield management solutions, partners with customers around the world to develop state-of-the-art inspection and metrology technologies. These technologies serve the semiconductor, data storage, LED, photovoltaic, and other related nanoelectronics industries. With a portfolio of industry-standard products and a team of world-class engineers and scientists, the company has created superior solutions for its customers for over 30 years. Headquartered in Milpitas, California, KLA-Tencor has dedicated customer operations and service centers around the world. Additional information may be found at www.kla-tencor.com. (KLAC-P)

Forward Looking Statements:

Statements in this press release other than historical facts, such as statements regarding the CI-T620's expected performance, expected future developments innovation in packaged IC component defect inspection, and the anticipated cost, operational and other benefits realizable by users of the CI-T620 tools, are forward-looking statements, and are subject to the Safe Harbor provisions created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current information and expectations, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such statements due to various factors, including delays in the adoption of new technologies (whether due to cost or performance issues or otherwise), the introduction of competing products by other companies or unanticipated technological challenges or limitations that affect the implementation, performance or use of KLA-Tencor's products.

SOURCE KLA-Tencor Corporation