Canon 2004 Annual Report Download - page 30

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We implemented major structural reforms in our
semiconductor-production equipment business in April
2004 and these operations made a new start. These
reforms included a review of product development, the
accelerated introduction of next-generation platforms,
lead-time compression, and reductions in production costs.
The market for semiconductor-production equipment,
which has been expanding, is forecast to enter an adjust-
ment phase in 2005. We are aiming to expand the volume
of unit sales and develop new, cutting-edge models.
In the semiconductor-production industry, circuit
patterns continue to shrink at an accelerating pace,
and responding to this trend is becoming increasingly
urgent. As the core technology in the semiconductor
design process, photolithography is the driver of faster
and more highly integrated semiconductors as well as
cost reductions. Currently, the design rules for a circuit’s
width call for 90 nanometers (one nanometer is equivalent
to a millionth of a millimeter).
Among next-generation technologies, somewhere in
the 2006 to 2007 period, the market is expected to move
toward the full-scale use of products incorporating liquid
immersion technologies that
employ argon fluoride (ArF)
lasers. At Canon, we plan to
introduce products based on
this next-generation platform
in 2007. In view of this trend, we have reviewed our
product development processes and introduced a product
manager system with the aim of exerting strong leadership
to speed up our development. Moreover, we plan to
strengthen our position vis-a-vis competitors by substan-
tially shortening the interval between the receipt of orders
and the installation of equipment. As an up and coming
technology, we are developing equipment that makes use
of EUV (extreme ultra violet) light sources.
In the LCD mask aligner business, demand for large-
scale units is very strong, and we have won the No. 1
market share for high-end mask aligners. Canon will
continue to develop and introduce new equipment and
units capable of processing low-temperature polysilicon,
while working to maintain its No. 1 position.
In the medical equipment field, we have begun to
market an all-digital fundus camera for retinal imaging.
We have also begun the full-scale development of systems
products for ophthalmic applications and have introduced
support systems for ophthalmic imaging diagnosis. In the
field of digital radiography systems, we are promoting
market expansion by taking full advantage of handheld
sensors in applications that require mobile photog raphy.
Moreover, Canon is proceeding with the development of
high-performance sensors seeking to adapt to a wider
range of applications in the digital X-ray imaging field.
Junji Ichikawa
Chief Executive
Optical Products Operations
Canon implemented major structural reforms
in its Optical Products Operations and these
activities got off to a new start in April 2004.
In our Medical Equipment business,
we focused on shortening product
development time through various reforms
and introduced products that meet
market needs in a timely fashion.
FPA-6000 AS4
CANON PRODUCT GROUPS
OPTICAL AND OTHER PRODUCTS