Data I/O(R) and ICOS Vision Systems Collaborate on Innovative Programming/Inspection Station for Programmable ICs

Data I/O(R) and ICOS Vision Systems Collaborate on Innovative Programming/Inspection Station for Programmable ICs

November 16, 2006

    REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 16 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Data
I/O(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: DAIO), the leading provider of
device programming solutions for the automotive industry,
and ICOS Vision Systems Corporation NV (Euronext and
Nasdaq: IVIS), a leading supplier of inspection solutions
for the semiconductor industry, have collaborated on the
integration of ICOS 3D inspection for semiconductor devices
into Data I/O PS588 high-volume offline programming system. 
The new system combines programming and 3D inspection into
one high-speed process, assuring that programmed devices
delivered to the production line are properly programmed
and free from defects.

    The market for component inspection is expected to grow
rapidly over the next several years, driven by stringent
quality requirements and ever smaller, higher performance
Integrated Circuits. Routine handling of semiconductor
components can result in coplanarity problems, bent leads,
or lead burrs that can negatively impact quality in the
final product. 

    Coplanarity problems can cause solder joints to fail
during manufacture, or reduce system reliability in the
field.  By introducing post-programming inspection, Data
I/O's PS588 system with inspection ensures that all passed
devices fall within the coplanarity tolerances before
output to media. The increased manufacturing yield and
reduction in subsequent failures offer substantial savings
for electronics manufacturers. 

    "A single solution that can now accomplish both
programming and inspection brings great value to Data I/O
customers" said Andre Dehuysser, Sales Manager Europe
of ICOS.  "Conducting inspection on successfully
programmed devices is an efficient way to assure that only
good devices are presented to the production line.  The
combination of the most advanced programming technology
with our Compact LIM inspection module is unique in the
industry."

    Upon completion of a successful programming operation,
the PS588 robotic head picks up the device and presents it
to the ICOS inspection module, where the X, Y, and Z axes
are visually inspected for flaws or damage.

    In addition to coplanarity measurement, the system also
offers inspection of lead pitch and slant.  Upon successful
inspection, the device is then placed in an output media --
tray, tape, or tube.

    "The ICOS inspection capability, combined with
high-speed device programming, is a powerful solution that
assures that only the highest quality devices move into the
PCB assembly process," said Harald Weigelt, VP of
Operations for Data I/O.  "We anticipate that the
programming/inspection system will be a very effective
solution for our customers implementing fine pitch leaded
devices in automotive, industrial and consumer
products."

    The PS588 is a high performance automated programming
system offered by Data I/O for volume programming of
microcontroller, Flash memory and NAND flash devices.
Designed for OEM/ODM or programming centers producing in
high volumes for small or large batches, the system
provides flexible control over data file management, job
creation and programming process control.
    
    About ICOS

    ICOS designs and manufactures inspection equipment for
the semiconductor packaging industry.  It is a
world-leading supplier of equipment for the final visual
control of chips before they are used in various
applications, such as PC's, cars or portable phones.  ICOS'
systems perform two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D)
inspections as part of the final visual quality control
step in the manufacturing of chips, wafers, flexible tapes
for flat panel displays, sockets, substrates and solar
cells.  Aside from its complete systems, ICOS also offers
inspection subsystems for integration in other equipment.
ICOS' headquarters are located in Leuven, Belgium and it
has R&D centers in Belgium, Germany and Hong Kong and
sales and support offices in Japan, the USA, Singapore,
Korea and Hong Kong and production facilities in Belgium,
Hong Kong and China.

    About Data I/O

    With more than 34 years of innovative leadership in the
device programming industry, Data I/O(R) Corporation
(Nasdaq: DAIO - News) provides semiconductor device
handling and programming systems, manufacturing and process
control applications to manufacturers of automotive
electronics, wireless and consumer products, and
semiconductors.  Data I/O Corporation is headquartered in
Redmond, Washington, and has sales and service offices
worldwide. For more information, see http://www.dataio.com
or call 800-426-1045.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    All company and product names mentioned may be
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders and are used for identification purposes only. The
matters discussed in this news release include
forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary
significantly. These risks include market and competitive
factors, and other risks described in the Company's most
recent annual report and/or in any of its other filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company
assumes no obligation to update the information in this
release. Reference to the Company's website above does not
constitute incorporation of any of the information thereon
into this press release.

    For more information, please contact:

     Megan Miller
     Data I/O Corporation 
     Tel:    [phone]
     Email:  [e-mail] 

     Dennis McFarland
     Goldstein Group Communications
     Tel:    [phone]
     Email:  [e-mail] 

SOURCE  Data I/O Corporation