With the rapid development of LED in China in recent years, domestic equipment manufacturers have also made breakthroughs in some fields. For example, Northern Microelectronics' ELED series dry etching machines account for about 60% of the domestic market share, while Suzhou Delong and Shenzhen Shenyang Han's Laser has also joined forces to grab about 80% of the orders. In addition, Shenyang Xinyuan's linear and star-shaped glue spreaders have also entered the production workshops of most domestic chip manufacturers. In addition, it must be mentioned that many MOCVD manufacturers have begun to launch prototypes, and have moved from laboratories to factories, and have begun to be officially transformed into products and even commodities.
Equipment development status of cutting machines
The only laser cutting machines used before 2008 were New wave, Op to, and JPSA. Imported equipment dominates the world, and there is no domestic equipment at all. However, after May 2008, Delonghi, Hanzu, and Huagong appeared on the market one after another. With their continuous efforts, in 2011, the mainstream UV cutting equipment on the market was basically domestically produced. The unit price of the equipment also dropped significantly, and the production capacity of the equipment was greatly increased.
Time
Manufacturer
Price (USD)
Dicing efficiency
Market share
Before May 2008
New wave
350,000-400,000
3-5 pieces/hour
85%
Op to
300,000-350,000
1-3 tablets/hour
5%
JPSA
450,000-500,000
5-6 tablets/hour
10%
2008-20 11 years
Delonghi
220,000-250,000
12 tablets/hour
55%
Hanzu
250,000-280,000
12 tablets/hour
35%
DISCO
380,000-400,000
12 wafers/hour
10%
Since 2000, the production workshops of epitaxial chip manufacturers have basically been equipped with imported equipment. However, with the unremitting efforts of domestic equipment manufacturers, from the initial simple equipment such as spin dryers, annealing furnaces, cleaning tables, and microscopes to laser cutting machines, dry etching machines, uniform glue development equipment, and recently the key equipment of MOCVD. These devices are well used in many enterprises and serve in production.
The influence of domestic equipment
Due to the emergence of domestic equipment, with its geographical advantages and high-quality service attitude, the service attitude of imported equipment manufacturers has directly improved, prices have dropped, and chip manufacturers have directly benefited. Taking domestic MOCVD as an example, the price has dropped from the previous 20 million to less than 10 million, and the production capacity is larger and the performance is better.
At present, many domestic companies have successfully produced MOCVD equipment, and many epitaxial chip companies are using it. The star of hope for the localization of major equipment has been born, and is gradually forming a spark that will start a prairie fire.
Development suggestions
Integrate, merge, improve competitiveness and anti-risk capabilities
LED equipment has a long R&D cycle, rapid technology updates, and requires continuous investment. For small and medium-sized enterprises, the risks are higher. It is recommended that the same or similar equipment manufacturers form a team through alliances, mergers, acquisitions, reorganization, etc. to avoid duplication of investment, concentrate superior resources, improve equipment performance and competitiveness, and strive to be large and specialized. The methods of entering chip manufacturers can be diversified. The current situation shows that imported equipment has been the first to be imported. As a latecomer, you will definitely be scrutinized and criticized. Therefore, you must have some strategies to attract more customers. You can use financial leasing, OEM first and then purchase.
Localization should not only provide high-quality products, but also provide supporting spare parts, raw materials, and technical solutions. Only by having a deeper understanding of customer needs can we win the market.
At the LED key equipment joint innovation symposium, the Electronic Information Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology clearly proposed the joint innovation of the LED key equipment industry chain to promote the localization of LED equipment to be completed better and faster, and pointed out that equipment in China cannot just follow the trend and always be in the mid-to-low-end market. It must be the entire industry chain; the opportunity for localized equipment lies in the past two years, because after many companies in recent years The research and development, accumulation and promotion of He Research Institute have achieved certain results and have a certain foundation. At the same time, they have the joint support of science and technology, development and reform, and economics and credit. In addition, due to the technological improvement of foreign competitors and the pressure of falling equipment prices, the profit margin of equipment will become lower and lower, so there will still be difficulties in the localization process. In the process of equipment localization, the cooperation model must be innovative.
Imported equipment has taken the lead. Domestic equipment is being driven by chip manufacturers so that it can have a relatively fair competitive environment with imported equipment. Then it needs to be verified in all aspects to optimize and improve all aspects of the equipment.
Localization of equipment is an inevitable process. Now, with the efforts of all parties, the monopoly of foreign core equipment has been broken, and Chinese LED companies can finally feel proud. However, the localization of equipment is still a long process and requires continuous technological innovation and breakthroughs. A single spark can start a prairie fire. The spring breeze of equipment localization blows across the land of China. Let's work together to promote the localization of epitaxial chip equipment!
ANNA