Flow International Selected as SanDisk's Primary Waterjet Supplier21 December 2005
Flow International Corporation (Nasdaq: FLOW), the world's leading developer and manufacturer of ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) waterjet technology, has been awarded a multimillion contract to supply multiple waterjet cutting systems to SanDisk Corporation for use in the manufacture of some of its flash memory cards that are being singulated and cut to shape utilizing Flow's ultrahigh precision waterjet shapecutting system.
This latest order of waterjet systems joins an already installed base of Flow waterjet systems in use producing some of SanDisk memory products. With the addition of these new systems, SanDisk will have the world's single largest fleet of Flow waterjet cutting machines.
Flow's waterjet systems have been successfully producing some of SanDisk flash memory cards in real world production environments for over one year. As a result, Flow International was also named SanDisk's primary supplier of waterjet cutting and singulation systems for the calendar year of 2006, subject to certain terms and conditions agreed upon between the parties.
"Flow is the only waterjet supplier with production proven waterjet cutting systems in manufacturing facilities producing flash memory cards and other semi-conductors. There are several reasons for the selection of Flow as SanDisk's primary waterjet supplier. Among those are Flow's commitment to continued improvements and R&D, the service and support provided by the Asian division of Flow International and robustness and productivity of Flow's equipment for the electronics market," said Stephen R. Light, CEO of Flow International Corporation. "The award of this contract demonstrates that SanDisk and other electronics companies recognize the many benefits of waterjet technology by displacing older, less flexible processes."
Traditionally, conventional diamond saws or carbide-tipped routers have been used to singulate flash memory cards. However they are limited to cutting straight lines. Other shortcomings with these traditional methods include less productivity with lower CpKs, higher maintenance requirements and higher cost of ownership than waterjet singulation systems.
Waterjets eliminate the above shortcomings by meeting both technical and cost objectives. They are a non-thermal, omni-directional cutting process. As a result they are able to cut highly accurate, multi-angular and curvilinear shapes that other processes are not. The market potential for cutting these shapes in electronic components is believed to be larger than the straight line cutting market. An additional benefit of the waterjet process is its ability to cut a wide range of different materials which has the potential of providing electronics manufacturers numerous alternatives for future electronic component design and the further possibility for expanding the market.
Flow's waterjet system has been specially developed for electronic component cutting. It offers the high-productivity, high precision, robustness, ease of use, and small footprint required by the electronics industry. These machines are produced at Flow Asia in Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, one of Flow's four worldwide manufacturing plants. The UHP pumps that provide the ultrahigh-pressure water are manufactured at the Kent, WA USA headquarters. About Flow International
Flow provides total system solutions for various industries, including automotive, aerospace, paper, job shop, surface preparation, and food production. For more information, visit http://www.flowcorp.com .
This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to future events or future financial performance that involve risks and uncertainties. The words "proves," "potential," "believed," "possibility," variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements but their absence does not mean that the statement is not forward-looking. These statements are only predictions and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these statements based on a number of risk factors, including those set forth in the April 30, 2005, Flow International Corporation Form 10-K/A Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements that the market potential for cutting these shapes in electronic components is believed to be larger than the straight line cutting market, and that cutting a wide range of different materials has the potential of providing electronics manufacturers numerous alternatives for future electronic component design and the further possibility for expanding the market. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward- looking statements that speak only as of the date of this announcement.
Contact:
Stephen Light
President and CEO
Flow International Corporation
253-850-3500
slight@flowcorp.com
or
Michael Ruppenthal
Vice President Marketing and Product Management
Flow International Corporation
253-850-3500
mruppenthal@flowcorp.com
Source: prnewswire
All trademarks and copyrighted information contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
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