China's Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment (AMEC) has cut into the supply chain of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC's) 12-inch fabs, with its 45nm etcher, which is in the process of verification, with volume shipments expected in the second half of this year, industry sources have revealed.
AMEC has recently set up a branch office in Hsinchu, Taiwan.
In addition, the China equipment maker is collaborating with Korean memory vendors to develop its first-generation equipment tools for 32nm production, according to the sources.
Company general manager Michael Chu has said that AMEC has secured equipment orders for 65nm and 45nm production from first-tier semiconductor players, and its equipment for 32nm node has been under development with customers.
AMEC reportedly has supplied 12-inch equipment to Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), China's largest wafer foundry house. AMEC, considered to be one of China's fastest growing equipment suppliers, has drawn investment from Qualcomm and KLA-Tencor, as well as venture capital firms Walden International, Lightspeed Venture Partners and Redpoint Venture.
AMEC raised US$58 million in Series C funding in October 2008, according to the company.
http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20090227PD216.html
They are doing too fast. In 2007 or 2008 they just released machines for 100nm chips. Another research institute in Acadamia sinica in Beijing is also doing the similar jobs.
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