Canon 2006 Annual Report Download - page 36

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34
OPTICAL
AND
OTHER
PRODUCTS
Canon provides highly
advanced LCD-paneI and
semiconductor-
production equipment
that rapidly contributes to
customers’ profitability.
Major products in Canon’s Optical and
Other Products segment include
semiconductor-production equipment and
LCD-panel production equipment. Major
factors affecting the return on investment
for customers that purchase such equipment
include productivity and installation time.
By enhancing the quality of our products
from the design stage, we are working to
boost throughput to contribute to greater
productivity of customers’ operations,
while aiming to reduce the installation time
required for equipment.
Canon concentrated on sales of
MPA-8800 mirror projection aligners for
seventh- and eighth-generation panels
during 2006. Though demand for LCD
exposure equipment dipped in 2006
owing to previous robust investment by
panel manufacturers, the trend toward
larger glass substrates for production of
larger LCD televisions has fueled demand
for exposure equipment in recent years.
Accordingly, Canon will launch
new-concept LCD exposure equipment
during 2007 for the production of
next-generation panels.
As for semiconductor exposure equip-
ment in 2007, Canon will commence
shipments of new ArF excimer laser dry-
type and immersion lithography-type
scanning steppers. This will give us a full
lineup of products to provide memory
manufacturers with a combination of
steppers best suited to their fabrication
systems. Another key concept in Canon
semiconductor equipment is “upward
compatibility,” which stresses the impor-
tance of delivering platform products, or
“base machines,” that can be used for
several product generations. Investing in
completely new systems with each succes-
sive innovation in the industry requires a
tremendous amount of time and
resources. We are working to create base
machines that only require new key
components to be developed in order to
meet the latest market needs.
Canon will work closely with customers
to provide highly advanced LCD-panel
and semiconductor-production equipment
that matches their needs and rapidly
contributes to their profitability. With an
emphasis on quality and low-cost
production methods, including in-house
production, Canon will make every effort
to bolster sales and earnings results in
this segment.
Junji Ichikawa
Chief Executive, Optical Products
Operations
Semiconductor exposure equipment