Semiconductor company with a 50-year Arizona history funds 50 school field trips to Arizona Science Center

PHOENIX, (September 24, 2025) - Semiconductors power everything from TikTok videos to Mars rovers, but does anyone actually know how these tiny tech wonders work? ASM, a semiconductor equipment company with a nearly 50-year history in Arizona, is launching an exhibition titled "From Sand to Stars: A Semiconductor Adventure" at Arizona Science Center to pull back the curtain on this magical world.

Running September 26 through December 24, 2025, this hands-on exhibition invites students to jump into the nano-world of microchips. ASM is sponsoring field trips for 50 low-income Phoenix-area schools, giving students the chance to experiment, play, and discover the atomic layers that power today's chips and tomorrow's dreams.

The exhibition showcases how ASMers work at the atomic scale—stacking layers of atoms so thin they’re nearly invisible—to create the chips that power everything from everyday devices like our phones and laptops, to life-saving medical technologies, and even the rockets that explore the farthest reaches of our universe. Students will dive into the nano-world of microchips, discovering how tiny grains of sand are transformed into the brains behind the technology that drives our world.

"The future of semiconductors – and everything they power, from AI data centers to your smartphone to spacecraft – it all depends on the brightest young minds joining our industry," said Vamsi Paruchuri Corporate VP, Technology, Innovation & Market Research. "By partnering with Arizona Science Center, we're showing students how they can shape tomorrow's technology at an atomic scale. Our new Scottsdale facility isn't just expanding ASM's footprint – it's creating a launchpad for Arizona's next generation of innovators who will master the art of atomic layering."

The exhibition showcases the periodic table’s semiconductor superstars—from silicon, the essential element found in beach sand, to hafnium oxide, which helps make our battery-powered devices faster and more efficient. Career videos introduce the pioneers of nanoscale technology, working at dimensions thousands of times smaller than a human hair, while imagination stations encourage guests to dream up the next world-changing innovation. Interactive displays feature a nearly 8-foot-tall, to-scale photo of equipment typically kept behind lock and key in ultra-clean semiconductor fabrication plants, including ASM’s massive XP8 Synergis machine.

Arizona's semiconductor boom needs brainpower to match its manufacturing might. The state leads the nation in semiconductor investments and supplier announcements, according to the Arizona Commerce Authority, creating a tech revolution that demands skilled talent. The Semiconductor Industry Alliance projects the industry will add nearly 115,000 jobs by 2030, with an estimated 58% at risk of going unfilled. It's not just about sending people to space or powering the latest smartphone – the semiconductor industry is racing to find the next generation of innovators who will shape the future at the atomic level.

ASM's multi-million-dollar investment in its new North American headquarters in Scottsdale is part of this growth story, bringing additional high-tech jobs to the local ecosystem and creating opportunities for today's students to become tomorrow's semiconductor pioneers.

“Kids can’t dream of careers they’ve never seen,” said Tammy Stewart, Interim Hazel A. Hare President & CEO. “We’re not just showing students how chips work—we’re uncovering the atomic magic behind everything they love, from gaming consoles to space exploration. When kids light up a circuit with their own hands or watch sand transform into technology, those ‘wow’ moments spark wonder that can grow into a lifelong passion. Together with ASM, we're turning complex semiconductor science into an adventure that might just inspire Arizona's next generation of innovators.”

Arizona Science Center exhibition’s timing coincides with SEMICON West 2025, which will be held in downtown Phoenix for the first time in the conference’s 50+ year history, October 7 through 9.

The "From Sand to Stars" exhibition will run from September 26 through December 24, 2025, at Arizona Science Center, located at 600 E. Washington St. in downtown Phoenix, just across the street from the Phoenix Convention Center, where SEMICON West will be held. The exhibition is displayed in the Arizona Science Center's lobby. To learn more visit, https://www.azscience.org/experience/all-exhibitions/level-1/from-sand-…

About ASM
ASM has been making the equipment that makes the chips inside the world's favorite devices for more than half a century. We enable the next generation of microchips by empowering leading semiconductor manufacturers with advanced wafer processing equipment. Through our mastery of thin-film deposition, we create the innovative tools and solutions that shape the materials at the heart of tomorrow’s technology – powering everything from AI and next-generation healthcare to cloud computing and smarter, more energy-efficient devices.

With over 4,500 employees in 15 key locations across three continents, we specialize in technologies that serve our customers' needs, including Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), Plasma-Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition (PEALD), epitaxy, silicon carbide epitaxy, Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD), and Vertical Furnaces.

At ASM, we care about the world we live in. Every day, we work to improve people's lives around the globe by enabling technology that bridges gaps, creates connections, and unlocks potential.

About Arizona Science Center
Located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona Science Center features more than 300 hands-on exhibits, a five-story giant-screen theater, live demonstrations, traveling exhibitions, and exciting science programs. The Center offers programs for all ages, including Science on Wheels, CAMP INNOVATION, Teen programs, Professional Development, and Adults' Night Out: Science with a Twist. Whether onsite or at your location–get ready to embark on a hands-on STEM learning journey you'll never forget. To learn more or to reserve tickets, visit azscience.org or call 602.716.2000. Follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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Intel and Flexciton announce partnership to provide semiconductor manufacturers with a comprehensive Factory Automation and Optimisation Software Solution.

LONDON – September 25th, 2025 – Flexciton, a leader in autonomous planning and scheduling for semiconductor manufacturing, today announced a partnership with Intel. This collaboration will provide semiconductor manufacturers with a comprehensive, end-to-end set of software solutions to increase the level of automation and accelerate their transition to autonomous factory operations.

The partnership combines the power of  Intel® Automated Factory Solutions (Intel® AFS) software suite, including Intel® Operations Recon, and Intel® Factory Pathfinder, with Flexciton’s autonomous technology suite of Advanced Production Planning and Scheduling. The two companies will offer a synergic, holistic approach that provides complete visibility and control over complex semiconductor production workflows, enabling smart, autonomous decision-making and significant gains in key performance indicators.

"I am incredibly excited about this partnership. Intel® AFS solutions have been developed and tested within the most advanced fabs, and we see a great synergy with our cutting-edge planning and scheduling technologies," said Jamie, CEO & Cofounder, Flexciton. "With Intel® Factory Pathfinder and  Intel® Operation Recon combined with our Flex Planner and Scheduler suite, we will be able to provide an end-to-end optimisation solution that empowers our customers to unlock new levels of automation and significantly increase factory efficiency."

The partnership is designed to meet the growing demand for greater operational efficiency in the semiconductor industry. By leveraging high-speed simulations, AI, and advanced optimisation, the combined approach will enhance factory automation and deliver tangible benefits, including complete visibility of shopfloor operations, optimised planning and scheduling, and a significant uplift in factory key metrics such as throughput and cycle times.

Paul Schneider, Intel Principal Engineer, Director, said: "By combining our deep factory automation expertise with Flexciton's innovative scheduling solutions, we are providing manufacturers with the critical tools they need to enhance their operational efficiency and maintain a competitive edge." 

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About Flexciton: Flexciton partners with semiconductor manufacturers to power their transition towards autonomous factories. Our suite of intelligent planning and scheduling applications combines advanced optimisation techniques with the power of AI to orchestrate complex fab workflows and achieve critical revenue-to-shop-floor alignment. Flexciton’s Autonomous Technology transforms fab operations by eliminating manual and reactive decision-making processes. This dramatically improves factory throughput and cycle times, enhances labour efficiency, and optimises overall costs and resource utilisation. Trusted by industry leaders including Seagate Technology, Renesas, and Microchip, Flexciton drives the next phase of digitalisation and transformation to an autonomous factory. Headquartered in London, UK, Flexciton operates globally with dedicated teams located in Europe and the US.
www.flexciton.com 

About Intel Automated Factory Solutions: Intel® Automated Factory Solutions (Intel® AFS) is a comprehensive software suite that optimises industrial processes.  It utilises advanced technologies such as Digital Twins, predictive analytics, high-speed simulation, and AI to improve efficiency and reduce downtime in factory operations and other complex operational processes with many interdependencies.

Intel® Factory Pathfinder: A high-speed discrete event simulator and digital twin designed for factory prediction and optimisation. It can function independently or integrate with production systems to streamline product assignments and reduce order fulfilment times.

Intel® Operations Recon: Provides a graphical digital twin of factory production equipment and automated systems, boosting operational visibility and enabling real-time troubleshooting and material movement simulations.
www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/software/automated-factory-solutions.html

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Sigma Design to Feature Omron^TM Collaborative Robot at SEMICON West 2025 Service-driven innovation combined with advanced automation can address key industry challenges 

Phoenix, AZ – September 10, 2025 — Sigma Design, a leading provider of engineering and product development services to the semiconductor industry, will showcase its capabilities at SEMICON® West 2025 in partnership with Omron^TM Automation, featuring live demonstrations of the Omron collaborative robot (Cobot) at Booth 1973 at the Phoenix Convention Center from October 7-9. 

The demonstration highlights how service-driven innovation combined with advanced automation can address key industry challenges in smart manufacturing, labor optimization, and operational flexibility. 

Key Highlights: 

• Live demo of the Omron^TM Cobot integrated into a service-centric automation solution, supporting assembly, inspection, and material handling tasks.
• Discussion of how Sigma Design applies collaborative robotics in client environments to reduce manual burden, increase uptime, and improve safety.
• Insight into workforce enablement strategies and scalable automation deployments tailored for semiconductor operations. 

Why It Matters: 

Themed “Stronger Together—Shaping a Sustainable Future in Talent, Technology, and Trade,” SEMICON West brings together global leaders from across the microelectronics industry to address critical industry priorities – from advanced manufacturing and supply chain resilience to sustainability and workforce development. Sigma Design and Omron^TM’s collaboration demonstrates how cross-industry partnerships can deliver real-world value through intelligent automation and engineering support. 

About Sigma Design 

As product development experts, we are driven by new challenges. We design, engineer, build, and test solutions for our partners' success. Sigma Design is a full-service product development and engineering firm dedicated to solving complex challenges. With a focus on quality, efficiency, and innovation, Sigma Design provides end-to-end product development solutions that encompass design, engineering, manufacturing, testing, and staffing services. 

Committed to excellence, we exceed client expectations with our dedicated approach. Challenges Accepted. Solutions Delivered. 

For more information, visit www.sigmadzn.com 

About Omron^TM Automation

Omron^TM is a global leader in industrial automation solutions, including robotics, sensing, and control systems. Its collaborative robots are designed to safely work alongside humans, delivering flexibility and precision in advanced manufacturing environments. 

Contact:

Jordan Rousseau 
Marketing Specialist 
[email protected] 
360.396.2600 

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Via Automation Debuts Agentic AI-Based Platforms for Smart Manufacturing at SEMICON West

• Set to revolutionize semiconductor manufacturing operations, paving the way for self-healing factories and resilient supply chains
• Demos of Via Connect and Via Co-Pilot available during SEMICON West October 7 to October 9 in Booth #7438
• Via Automation “Developing Explainable Digital Twins and Connecting to Via CoPilot Agents for Autonomous Tool Operations” at Smart Manufacturing Theater

FREMONT, CALIF.––September 23, 2025––Via Automation today unveiled Via Connect and Via Co-Pilot, Agentic AI-based platforms that combine edge data integration with AI-driven human collaboration to revolutionize enterprise manufacturing operations and pave the way for self-healing factories and resilient supply chains.

Demonstrations of Via Connect and Via Co-Pilot will be available during SEMICON West October 7 to October 9 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Ariz.

“Predictive maintenance isn’t just about preventing breakdowns, it’s about enhancing yield and enabling smarter, safer and more efficient industrial operations,” remarks Nitin Parekh, CEO at Via Automation. “With Via Connect and Via Co-Pilot, enterprises can move beyond pilot projects into scalable, trusted and ROI-positive predictive maintenance programs.”

Introducing AI-Powered Industrial Automation
Unplanned equipment downtime cost manufacturers more than $1.5 trillion globally per year, a problem that grows more expensive annually. The cost of a single hour of downtime has surged by 50% in just two years.

Via Automation’s Via Connect and Via Co-Pilot powers real-time, AI-driven decisions across the factory floor, enhancing efficiency, optimizing operations, reducing unplanned downtime, elevating performance across all areas.

Via Connect
Traditional solutions rely on dashboards and complex visualizations that don't solve the root problem. Via Connect seamlessly offers data integration at the edge by acting as the digital fabric between assets, IoT sensors and enterprise systems. Via Connect can be connected into digital twin models to provide holistic monitoring capabilities as a software development kit (SDK) for equipment vendors to integrate with their equipment.

With its edge-ready processing capabilities, Via Connect can detect low-latency anomalies directly at the factory floor and integrates with manufacturing execution systems (MES), enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and cloud platforms including AWS, Azure and Databricks using out-of-the box connectors.

For predictive maintenance, it ensures unified data collection of real-time vibration, temperature and process signals streamed from machines and IoT endpoints. Using Via Connect, predictive models can access clean, contextualized data without integration bottlenecks, one of the biggest hurdles in scaling predictive maintenance initiatives.

Via Co-Pilot
Where Connect enables data orchestration, Via Co-Pilot elevates operational intelligence, acting as a decision assistant to unite humans with AI tools for smarter decision making.

Via Co-Pilot turns predictive maintenance from a “black-box algorithm” into a trusted co-worker—accelerating adoption and building operator confidence by providing AI-Driven insights for warnings of equipment degradation using machine learning models trained on sensor data. Its diagnostics are easily explainable, interpretable and highlight root causes, such as bearing wear or lubrication breakdown. It enables collaborative workflows for engineers, operators and managers to interact with AI that delivers recommendations, validate insights and trigger automated work orders

It also offers continuous learning opportunities with its feedback loops that improve model accuracy over time and adapt to new operating conditions.

Via Automation can AI enable any equipment or fab with Via Connect and Via Co-pilot. An intuitive interface gives manufacturing teams the ability to build and deploy custom workflows without deep AI expertise and focus on keeping their equipment running smoothly and efficiently.

Early results show that Via Connect and Via Co-Pilot together reduce unplanned downtime by between 30-40% and maintenance costs by between 15-20%. They extend asset life by about 25% and improve operator safety and compliance reporting.

Via Automation at SEMICON West October 7-9 in Phoenix, Ariz.
Via Automation will exhibit and demonstrate its Connect and Co-Pilot at SEMICON West in Booth #7438 Tuesday, October 7, through Thursday, October 9, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Ariz.

Kiran Karunakaran, Via’s CTO, will present “Developing Explainable Digital Twins and Connecting to Co-Pilot Agents for Autonomous Tool Operations” Wednesday in the Smart Manufacturing Pavilion Theater.

To arrange a demonstration or private meeting, send email to [email protected].

About Via Automation
Via Automation is a pioneering technology company that specializes in creating advanced automation solutions designed to optimize and transform fab operations for advanced semiconductors. Leveraging cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies, it develops intuitive, scalable and robust tools aimed at enhancing productivity, efficiency and data-driven decision-making. Via Automation’s commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions make it a leader in the fab and equipment automation space, driving progress and operational excellence for improving operations and maintenance with AI.
Engage with Via Automation at:
Website: Getvia.ai/
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getvia/

For more information, contact:
Nanette Collins
Public Relations for Via Automation
[email protected]

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Singapore, September 17, 2025 – EUV Tech, the global leader in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) metrology equipment, today announced the opening of its first international office: EUV Tech Singapore Pte. Ltd., located at 163 Kallang Way, Mapletree Hi-Tech Park, Singapore.

This expansion marks a significant milestone in EUV Tech’s global growth strategy and reinforces its commitment to strengthening customer support across Asia’s rapidly expanding semiconductor market.

Strategic Rationale

Singapore was selected as EUV Tech’s first international office due to its robust infrastructure, business-friendly environment, and central location within Asia’s semiconductor ecosystem. While tool development will remain anchored in Martinez, California, the Singapore office will house EUV Tech’s international Customer Success Team, focused on field service engineering. It will also serve as a regional hub, enabling faster response times, enhanced service capabilities, and closer alignment with customers’ business hours.

“Customer service is at the heart of everything we do,” said Chami Perera, EUV Tech Chief Operating Officer. “By establishing a presence in Singapore, we are not just providing metrology tools. We are standing shoulder to shoulder with our customers to ensure their success in an evolving industry.”

The semiconductor industry in Asia is projected to continue its rapid growth over the next decade, with Singapore serving as a major regional hub. EUV Tech’s expansion positions the company to:

• Strengthen existing relationships with leading semiconductor fabs
• Support uptime with field service engineers on the ground
• Leverage Singapore’s ecosystem of world-class universities, government initiatives, and industry networks

With tools already installed in every major semiconductor fab worldwide, EUV Tech’s Singapore office further cements its reputation as a trusted partner driving innovation and reliability in EUV metrology. 

EUV Tech’s Singapore office is a clear signal of the company’s ambition and growth in the global semiconductor sector. “We are growing and thriving,” said Perera. As the semiconductor industry continues to expand, we will be right there with our customers, innovating, adapting, and ensuring their success.”

About EUV Tech
EUV Tech enables technology advancement in the frontiers of semiconductor manufacturing and material science through the development of world-leading EUV and soft-x-ray instrumentation and techniques.

Media Contact:

Natalie Hill, Associate Director Marketing & Communications

[email protected]

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PDF Solutions Secures Landmark Contract with Global IDM Customer
Large 2025 Contract Validates High-Volume Manufacturing Strategy

PDF Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: PDFS) today announced a landmark contract signing: a significant multi-year agreement to expand a prior contract and deploy eProbe® tools, Characterization Vehicle® infrastructure, and associated Exensio® analytics software across multiple high-volume manufacturing facilities of a major global semiconductor manufacturer.

Breakthrough Technology Scales to Mass Production

PDF Solutions' eProbe technology delivers contactless testing of 3D semiconductor structures using electron beam, optimized for each wafer's specific design characteristics. This agreement encompasses multiple eProbe systems with deployment in 2025, supported by PDF Solutions' comprehensive software suite for machine optimization and results analysis.

The contract marks a pivotal milestone that validates PDF Solutions' strategic vision and demonstrates the critical role of eProbe technology in both advanced node development and high-volume manufacturing.

Integration of Process characterization, Design and in-line Fabrication data

PDF Solutions combines the eProbe DirectScan™ application with Characterization Vehicle test chips and Exensio analytics software to enable faster yield learning in high-volume manufacturing environments.

This landmark contract validates the approach of integrating process characterization data with design layout data and in-line fabrication data to enhance detectability to ppb levels to accelerate root cause for yield diagnosis and variability control.

Secure Connected Solutions Drive Value

PDF Solutions will deploy eProbe tools and associated software at the Foundry’s manufacturing sites, using PDF Solutions’ secureWISE® network to provide secure remote equipment support and maintenance. This deployment exemplifies PDF Solutions' strategic vision: creating a cross-industry analytics and collaboration platform that connects key players in the semiconductor ecosystem.

Comprehensive connectivity is essential for achieving faster yield ramps and delivering on the promise of AI in semiconductors. To successfully implement AI solutions, the industry needs automated connections between data sources, tools, and enterprise software systems across the entire semiconductor supply chain.

About PDF Solutions
PDF Solutions (Nasdaq: PDFS) provides comprehensive data solutions designed to empower organizations across the semiconductor and electronics industry ecosystem to improve the yield and quality of their products and operational efficiency for increased profitability. The Company’s products and services are used by Fortune 500 companies across the semiconductor and electronics ecosystem to achieve smart manufacturing goals by connecting and controlling equipment, collecting data generated during manufacturing and test operations, and performing advanced analytics and machine learning to enable profitable, high-volume manufacturing.

Founded in 1991, PDF Solutions is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. The Company (directly or through one or more subsidiaries) is an active member of SEMI, INEMI, TPCA, IPC, the OPC Foundation, and DMDII. For the latest news and information about PDF Solutions or to find office locations, visit https://www.pdf.com.

Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, PDF Solutions also operates worldwide in Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Sweden, and Taiwan. For the Company’s latest news and information, visit https://www.pdf.com.

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