The car giant started by marrying the daughter of the king

Chapter 438: Which company has the best lithography machine? Anxious TSMC

Zhang Shaohua acted quickly. He personally took several engineers who were familiar with lithography machines on a business trip to the United States, Europe and Japan for half a month and brought back several plans to Jiang Hui.

"Mr. Jiang, judging from the current situation, the lithography machine technologies of GCA in the United States, ASML in Europe, and Nikon and Canon in Japan are the most advanced."

"Among them, GCA in the United States produced the first contact lithography machine in the 1960s, which became the mainstream product at the time."

"At that time, with the increasing application of semiconductors, the market demand for lithography machines continued to rise, and Nikon and Canon, as GCA suppliers, also started the research and development of lithography machines."

"Nikon and Canon are now catching up, while GCA of America is in a state of poor management and began to lay off a large number of employees last year."

"So I think the GCA lithography machine may only be used as a competitive backup option, and cannot be purchased in the end."

Zhang Shaohua went on a business trip, and what he reported back was naturally meaningful.

The photolithography machine is the most critical equipment in chip production and processing, and is also the focus of Zhang Shaohua's overseas inspection this time.

Only after the purchase direction of the lithography machine is finalized, the subsequent other supporting equipment can be better determined.

Otherwise, if you order equipment that is not so important, and then the purchase of key equipment is affected due to matching issues, it will not be worth it.

"In the 1960s, Natlab, a small company under Philips, also realized the opportunity and quickly launched a plan to manufacture lithography machines. It is the predecessor of ASML, a rising star in the lithography machine industry today."

"In 1967, Natlab developed a prototype of a photolithography machine."

"However, due to its advantages in precision technology and equipment, Natlab's lithography machines are more accurate than its peers, achieving a position movement of 10 centimeters with a displacement deviation of only 0.1 microns."

"But this technology did not receive widespread attention at the time. Instead, other emerging technical problems made it difficult to mass-produce lithography machines."

"So until seven or eight years ago, America still maintained its advantage in the field of lithography machine production."

"According to the information we learned from this investigation, in 1981, GCA's sales of lithography machines in the United States reached 1.1 million US dollars, which increased nearly 3 times in three years."

"The efforts of the Japanese were fruitful, and Nikon launched the first stepper lithography machine in 1980."

"This high-performance lithography machine is superior in stability and automation, and has quickly taken over the market."

"At the same time, lithography machine companies in Europe have achieved integration. After ASML, which was established based on Natlab, took office as its first CEO, Jatt, he solved the problem of large-scale production of lithography machines by strictly controlling the work process and opening up the supply chain."

"At the same time, ASML has promoted the new generation of lithography machines to improve the accuracy requirements for detail positioning through industrial upgrading, so that their technological advantages have finally begun to emerge."

"After that, ASML's lithography machine sales gradually improved by continuously investing in research and development funds, solving supply chain problems and expanding the market."

"Last year, ASML benefited from its cooperation with TSMC, and now its global market share has reached about 15%."

“I think Lingnan Semiconductor can also consider ASML for its lithography machines.”

Zhang Shaohua quickly gave his opinion based on what he had learned.

Obviously, through comparison he found that ASML's technology direction is more advanced. If Lingnan Semiconductor wants to cooperate with Nanshan Equipment to develop its own lithography machines and other equipment in the future, it will definitely be better to develop based on a relatively advanced technology route.

"I can totally understand giving up GCA America, after all, it is a company on the decline."

"But Japan's Nikon and Canon should be in their heyday right now."

"If we purchase equipment from them, will it be cheaper?"

No matter which lithography machine manufacturer it is, Jiang Hui will definitely not like it.

But at this stage there is no better choice but to spend money to buy it from them.

Although ASML is the undisputed king in the field of lithography machines in later generations, that was in the future, not now.

Throughout the second half of the 1980s, Japan's Nikon and Canon were the kings in this field.

"Director, we have indeed considered Nikon's lithography machines. The lithography machines used by several internationally advanced semiconductor companies such as NEC and Hitachi Semiconductor in Japan are all produced by Nikon."

"But Nikon's lithography machines are more about optimizing previous technology routes, lacking innovation capabilities and being relatively conservative."

“I think it’s okay to use Nikon to suppress ASML and get a better price for us.”

"Purchasing Nikon's lithography machines for our own use can also meet the requirements."

"But it would be difficult to develop more advanced products based on Nikon's lithography machines."

Zhang Shaohua said this while observing Jiang Hui's reaction.

In the field of procurement, if you insist on choosing a certain company after comparing with many other companies, it is easy for people to suspect whether there is a story behind it.

To be honest, Zhang Shaohua was really worried that Jiang Hui would suspect her, which would be too unfair.

"Japanese companies are indeed more conservative, and they are more focused on excellence, but they lack innovation."

Jiang Hui listened carefully to Zhang Shaohua's report and expressed high recognition.

How could he not know the future development direction of lithography machines?

Nikon and Canon are now in their heyday, but after entering the 1990s, they stubbornly implemented the past technology route and were unwilling to change, and were eventually defeated by ASML.

By the future, there will be basically no place for Nikon and Canon in the field of high-end lithography machines.

"Yes, on the other hand, ASML's lithography machine has a relatively advanced technology route. As long as we continue to make some improvements, we can eventually achieve further improvement in processing accuracy."

“This is very meaningful to us.”

Zhang Shaohua felt relieved after hearing Jiang Hui's words.

It seems that Jiang Hui really trusted me completely to manage Lingnan Semiconductor just as he said.

"Then you should get quotations from several lithography machine manufacturers as soon as possible, make full use of the information differences, and confirm our order."

"When appropriate, if some concessions can speed up the delivery time of our equipment, it is acceptable."

Jiang Hui was afraid that things would get more complicated if he paid the deposit but still couldn't receive the equipment for various reasons. That would be a pity.

It is now 1988, and the risk is absolutely very high.

"Director, there is another matter that we may need to pay attention to."

Chen Qingxiang interjected, "The main customer of ASML's current lithography machines is TSMC."

"The business development direction of Lingnan Semiconductor is to carry out chip foundry and its own design and production simultaneously."

"Among them, the chip foundry business is in competition with TSMC."

"I don't know if this will bring certain risks to our purchase of lithography machines from ASML."

In the business world, anything can happen.

Chen Qingxiang, a technical guy, has now begun to force himself to have a certain business mindset.

Today I tried to talk about what I observed.

"If we continue to purchase lithography machines from ASML, this risk does exist."

"However, considering that Nanshan Equipment and Lingnan Semiconductor will jointly develop their own lithography machines in the future."

"Then the risks brought by TSMC and ASML are completely controllable."

"ASML is still a weak player in the global lithography industry and urgently needs more orders to prove its strength and enhance its influence."

Jiang Hui thought about it for a while and gave his own judgment.

TSMC is just starting out and ASML is not yet a lithography machine giant.

Chen Qingxiang’s worries will not happen so soon.

……

"President, I got a message from Nikon that Lingnan Semiconductor of China is looking for them to discuss the purchase of the latest lithography machines."

"According to the feedback from Nikon, Huaxia is planning to invest in building a 1.8-micron chip factory this time."

"This is already the most mainstream production process in the world, and it is even further advanced than the process of the chip factories invested by TSMC and Samsung last year."

As the head of the sales department of Hitachi's semiconductor business unit, Sano Miki is naturally very concerned about the dynamics in the industry.

In recent years, it goes without saying that the old rival America has made the most moves. Sano Miki has arranged people to keep an eye on every move of companies such as Texas Instruments and Intel.

The situation in Asia is also beginning to change.

Korea's Samsung Electronics is making a desperate effort to increase its investment in the semiconductor industry, with the intention of surpassing Japanese companies.

The emergence of TSMC has brought a whole new way of playing to the chip industry.

All these attracted Sano Miki's great attention.

Originally, Lingnan Semiconductor, a Chinese semiconductor company, was unaware of Hitachi Semiconductor's vigilance.

After all, there is still a big gap between China's semiconductor technology level and the world's advanced level.

However, starting last year, Lingnan Semiconductor emerged, and the new equipment it introduced significantly improved China's semiconductor production technology.

However, compared with Japan, the gap is still very large.

So Sano Miki just kept paying attention and was not particularly nervous.

Now, less than a year has passed, and Lingnan Semiconductor has begun to consider introducing 1.8-micron process chip equipment, and the situation is completely different.

Although this advanced technology, which is currently the mainstream internationally, has been mastered by many manufacturers, those manufacturers are all mainstream international semiconductor giants.

"Is Lingnan Semiconductor's move so big?"

“They were only established last year, right?”

“The first production line probably hasn’t even started mass production yet, but you’re so eager to introduce new technology?”

Taro Koike was stunned for a moment, and quickly recalled the information related to Lingnan Semiconductor in his mind.

Sano Miki had reported to him about the situation of this factory before, so he had some impression of it.

After all, it is the most advanced factory of Huaxia Technology, so it is worth paying attention to.

But he didn't expect to hear information about Lingnan Semiconductor so soon.

"Yes, the equipment for their first factory is probably still being installed, and there is no official mass production yet."

"With China's technological level, it will take at least a year to fully bring this factory up to its original technological level and yield rate."

"That is, within this year, Lingnan Semiconductor will not be able to develop 3-micron process technology." "Now they are directly negotiating to purchase 1.8-micron process equipment. I think this radical approach is worthy of vigilance."

Sano Miki saw some shadows of Korea's Samsung Electronics in Lingnan Semiconductor.

Such companies that do not keep up with the development pace of the mainstream market are often the variables in the industry.

For Hitachi Semiconductor, it is obvious that it does not want to see so many variables.

"According to what you said, even if they successfully purchased 1.8-micron process chip equipment this year, they have not yet entered mass production."

"Even if we make a more radical estimate, it will take until around 1990 for mass production to begin. If things don't go smoothly, it could even take until 1991 or 1992, right?"

Taro Koike quickly made his judgment based on his own experience.

"Yes, I think so too."

The leader's judgment was naturally correct, and Sano Miki simply acted as a yes-man.

"If this is the case, in a few years, the chip manufacturing process in the industry will definitely be at a more advanced level such as 1 micron or even 0.8 micron, and may even enter the nano era."

"Lingnan Semiconductor's new production line has lagged behind the industry since it was put into production. The threat to us should be very limited, right?"

"Now they are rushing to invest such a large amount of money to purchase new equipment, which will definitely delay the development of other areas."

"I think we can just watch over this matter. There is no need to contact Nikon or ask them to do anything special."

Taro Koike knew the purpose of Sano Miki coming to report this matter to him today.

Without waiting for the other party to express his thoughts, he gave his own opinion.

Naturally, Sano Miki had nothing special to say about this.

However, not every semiconductor company shares the same view as Hitachi Semiconductor.

Companies like TSMC are feeling a strong sense of crisis right now.

……

"Mr. Zhang, Lingnan Semiconductor has suddenly been very aggressive in contacting various equipment manufacturers, and wants to directly introduce the current mainstream wafer and chip processing equipment."

"I feel like the other party is coming for us this time."

Ever since Zeng Fanchen learned that Lingnan Semiconductor was also going to engage in chip foundry business, he has attached great importance to this semiconductor company in mainland China.

Although he had many doubts in his mind, he felt that Lingnan Semiconductor would not be able to build its own semiconductor factory so quickly.

However, considering the brilliant performance of Lingnan Semiconductor's parent company BMW Technology in recent years, he is still quite worried.

"If I remember correctly, the factory that Lingnan Semiconductor is currently building uses second-hand 4-inch wafer equipment and 3-micron chip processing equipment from America, right?"

"The factory hasn't even started production yet, but they are so eager to introduce more advanced technology. This is really confusing."

"But according to the normal pace of development, even if they purchase these advanced equipment, they won't be able to produce products so quickly, right?"

Zhang Zhong's view is somewhat similar to that of Hitachi Semiconductor.

After all, the development of all things follows certain laws. As long as you follow these laws to make judgments, you will basically not make any big mistakes.

“Yes, from 4-inch wafers to 5-inch wafers, from 3-micron process to 18-micron process, this is definitely not a simple change in numbers.”

“The technical effort behind this is enormous.”

“I also don’t think Lingnan Semiconductor’s approach will succeed.”

"But I'm worried that this approach will disrupt the rhythm of the chip foundry market."

"When our customers see some information about Lingnan Semiconductor, they may make some unreasonable demands on us."

"This is equivalent to making our work more difficult out of thin air."

Zeng Fanchen's statement is obviously quite reasonable.

No matter which customer it is, if they see that one of their two suppliers has more advanced equipment, they will definitely ask the other one to introduce it as well.

Otherwise, we will not give priority to cooperating with you.

However, for TSMC, the investment in the first step has not been recovered so quickly, and the technology has not been fully digested.

It is extremely difficult to directly launch the second step of investment now.

After all, their investment is different from Lingnan Semiconductor, and it cannot be started just by one person's words.

"Do you have any specific ideas for this situation?"

The purpose of discovering a problem is to solve it.

Zhang Zhongmou will never allow anyone to disrupt TSMC's overall development.

They have just received orders from Intel and are preparing to launch chip foundry business in a big way, bringing a completely different way of playing to the industry.

If the rhythm was disrupted by Lingnan Semiconductor right at the beginning, the losses would be huge.

"There are only a few manufacturers in the world that can produce key semiconductor production equipment such as lithography machines and etching machines."

"Can we consider it from the perspective of equipment and ask these equipment manufacturers not to sell such advanced production equipment to Lingnan Semiconductor?"

As a new entrant in the industry, TSMC's influence on equipment manufacturers is relatively limited.

Unlike giants like Intel, they have a great influence on some decisions of equipment manufacturers.

Therefore, Zeng Fanchen can only work hard in other directions.

"Can you be more specific?"

"Without sufficient pressure and persuasion, equipment manufacturers will not let the money go unearned."

Zhang Zhong thought about the scene when he went to negotiate business with various equipment manufacturers, and he had a deeper understanding of the ideas of those equipment manufacturers.

Expecting them to take the initiative to attack Lingnan Semiconductor is totally against their interests.

"In the past, various advanced equipment from the West was not allowed to easily enter the mainland market."

"In recent years, relevant controls have been gradually relaxed, and have even basically disappeared."

“I wonder if we can do something about this?”

When Zeng Fanchen said this, Zhang Zhong's eyes lit up.

He has worked in America for so many years, so he naturally knows the meaning behind Zeng Fanchen's words.

From a broad perspective, this is entirely possible.

Especially the current international environment has changed from a few years ago.

America had previously faced tremendous pressure from the polar bear, so it entered a full-scale honeymoon period with China.

Although the current situation of polar bears has not been fully disclosed, many people know that polar bears are not having an easy time.

In this way, the pressure on America will naturally be reduced.

The original intention was to suppress the polar bear, so China was pulled in to work together.

Now that we have lost the target of suppression, or the difficulty of suppression has been greatly reduced, then the significance of winning over China will gradually disappear.

In this case, there is naturally something to be done.

"You can give it a try first, but I don't think it will work so quickly."

"But even if it doesn't work this time, if it works next time, our work will be meaningful."

Anyway, doing so will not do any harm to TSMC, only benefits.

In the future, relevant departments in the United States may even think that TSMC has done the right thing by awakening early.

……

"Smith, regarding the second phase of the project that Lingnan Semiconductor is planning to introduce, do you think we should intervene?"

As the American ambassador, Woodcock was the most sensitive and aware of the changes in relations between the two countries.

With the changes in the world situation, he already knew that the country was reconsidering some of its policies toward China.

Although these policies will not be introduced so quickly, as an ambassador, he must definitely do something to prepare for a rainy day.

"I think we should wait and see for a while before making any decisions."

"Lingnan Semiconductor is making big moves and shouting loud slogans, but it's hard to say what it will eventually become."

"The threshold for entering the semiconductor industry is much higher than they imagined."

"Even with the combined efforts of the entire country, China's semiconductor industry still hasn't developed. Now relying on the strength of Lingnan Semiconductor alone, it is completely impossible to catch up with the world's advanced level in just a few years."

Smith gave his reply very affirmatively.

In his opinion, Lingnan Semiconductor is now just a group of stupid people with a lot of money who are making reckless investments. There is no need to pay attention to it.

"You're not totally unreasonable."

"Huaxia launched many projects before, but they were gradually discontinued in the end."

"For example, the photolithography machines used in chip processing. Previously, China's Ministry of Machine Building and the Academy of Sciences had set up a special project team to develop the world's most advanced photolithography machines."

"After several years of hard work, we only managed to produce a prototype of the first-generation lithography machine that was equivalent to the level of ours in the 1960s."

"Let alone catching up with the world's advanced level, we are still far from even reaching the second-rate level."

Woodcock has worked with Smith for so many years and still has great confidence in Smith's professional ability.

Since Smith, an expert on China, thinks Lingnan Semiconductor won't be able to achieve anything significant, then my worries are a bit unnecessary.

If you have this energy, you might as well pay more attention to the increasingly strengthened ties between China and polar bears.

Let’s see if there is any big move behind the scenes.

Reporting this information to the country may gain more recognition.

(End of this chapter)