SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: KLIC) ("Kulicke & Soffa", "K&S" or the "Company") introduces a new compact multi magazine handling solution - Asterion™ i-MULTI - as part of its current portfolio of handling options designed and integrated for its latest Asterion™ enhanced capability hybrid wedge bonder.

"The Asterion i-MULTI is the latest addition to the series of Asterion i-SOLUTIONS handling options that K&S offers," said Chan Pin Chong, Vice President of the K&S Wedge Bonders, Capillaries and Blades Business Line. "This new multi magazine handling solution provides several benefits in the key areas of material handling and product control. This product introduction further strengthens our position as a comprehensive solution provider to the market."

Material Handling

The handler connects and interfaces with the Asterion in an in-line configuration with better-timed and streamlined handling processes. The conveyors include built-in safety features, of which some may require additional guarding, or light curtain sensor, to provide additional protection with operators who interface directly with the equipment. This state-of-the-art material handling solution enables significant improvement to the efficiency of a production system in the most economical way. This solution also greatly reduces material damages during storage and movement as well as lowering the overall cost. Its compact design allows the optimization of the factory floor space with a cost-of-ownership advantage.

Product Control

The handling process is fully automated, which leads to an immediate improvement of product quality. This fully computerized operation enables real-time system control, comprehensive data processing and just-in-time flexibility. It is a compact and fluid system configuration that provides a safe and efficient product flow. These allow a reduction in both direct and indirect labor costs. A clean, orderly and efficient production environment is also achieved where accident occurrences during material handling are at a minimum.

Contamination Removal Kit

K&S partnered with Ultra Clean Technology (UCT) in the design and 3D printing of the contamination removal kit that is built in to the Asterion i-MULTI - a first time that a 3D printed part is used for K&S equipment. This 3D printing concept is an efficient way of transforming and fully customizing an idea to a prototype and a product within days. This operator-friendly kit is cost effective and easy to exchange, which works on a high-performance principle. Aside from cleaning surfaces, it conducts realtime cleaning before, during and after bonding. Chemical solvents are not required and thereby it eliminates the need for storage and disposal of the solvent waste.

Lavi Lev, UCT's Senior Vice President of Asia, remarked, "We congratulate Kulicke & Soffa on being the first known company in the region to adopt 3D printing technology and to bring its mass customization capabilities to their market. The technology opens new frontiers for advance manufacturing and we are delighted to see that Kulicke & Soffa is taking a lead role in its adoption"

The Asterion i-MULTI will debut at the SEMICON Japan show at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan, Hall 2, Booth #2337 from December 16-18, 2015.

About Kulicke & Soffa

Kulicke & Soffa (NASDAQ: KLIC) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of semiconductor, LED and electronic assembly equipment. As a pioneer in this industry, K&S has provided customers with market leading packaging solutions for decades. In recent years, K&S has expanded its product offerings through strategic acquisitions and organic development, adding advanced packaging, advanced SMT, wedge bonding and a broader range of expendable tools to its core ball bonding products. Combined with its extensive expertise in process technology, K&S is well positioned to help customers meet the challenges of assembling the next-generation semiconductor and LED devices. (www.kns.com)

About Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.

Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. is a leading developer and supplier of critical systems and subsystems for the semiconductor capital equipment, flat panel, medical, energy and research industries. Ultra Clean offers its customers an integrated outsourced solution for gas delivery systems and other subassemblies, improved design-to-delivery cycle times, component neutral design and manufacturing and component testing capabilities. Ultra Clean's customers are primarily original equipment manufacturers for the semiconductor capital equipment, flat panel, medical, energy and research industries. Ultra Clean is headquartered in Hayward, California. (www.uct.com)

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Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.
Marilyn Sim
Public Relations
P: +65-6880-9309
F: +65-6880-9580
msim@kns.com
or
Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.
Joseph Elgindy
Investor Relations & Strategic Initiatives
P: +1-215-784-7500
P: +31-40-272-3016
F: +1-215-784-6180
investor@kns.com
or
UCT
Cheryl Knepfler
Senior Director of Marketing
P: +1-510-576-4697
cknepfler@uct.com