DALSA announces major camera orders

MAY 5--DALSA Corp. (Waterloo, ON, Canada;www.dalsa.com) has been awarded three major camera orders from Asian flat-panel-display (FPD) inspection-instrument manufacturers totaling more than $1.8 million. The orders were placed by three leading producers of defect-inspection and yield-management tools for FPD production process control. Two orders are for DALSA's latest generation of digital linescan camera, the Piranha2. The third order is for DALSA's CT-F3 high-speed TDI camera. Each of the orders is expected to ship over the next two quarters, with anticipation of follow-on purchase activity once the current orders are completed.

"There is a strong and growing marketplace for FPD inspection tools, which is a significant driver for our business," comments Savvas Chamberlain, DALSA chief executive officer. "Despite global economic uncertainties, there is unprecedented growth in demand for computer FPDs and thin-screen televisions. The rise in demand for advanced displays is prompting substantial manufacturing capacity expansion and new process technology capabilities. The strong capacity build-out and technology advancement in flat-panel manufacturing is powering demand for faster and more capable inspection tools, where DALSA delivers enabling image-capture technology."