Flow waterjet technology used to manufacture SanDisk memory cards
KENT, Wash., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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 Flow International Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.flowcorp.com
CONTACT:
Stephen Light, President and CEO,
+1-253-850-3500, slight@flowcorp.com; or Michael Ruppenthal, Vice
President Marketing and Product Management, +1-253-850-3500,
mruppenthal@flowcorp.com, both of Flow International Corporation
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