In those markets where SINGULUS and HamaTech used to work through agencies, we have decided to appoint one agent only for the future.

Transcription

1 [news] NEWS MAGAZINE FOR OUR BUSINESS FRIENDS ISSUE 31 MARCH 2006 BLU-LINE The Right Replication Line for Optimum Blu-ray Disc Performance BLU-LINE Replication Line with Liquid Resin Unit Letter to our Customers Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, Following our letter dated November 28, 2005 regarding our purchase of the majority of shares of STEAG HamaTech AG, please let us take the opportunity to provide today more detailed information. We are pleased to announce that our company currently holds about 88 % of the shares and therefore has full control of STEAG HamaTech. Effective immediately SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES and STEAG HamaTech will act as affiliated companies with a joint organization for Marketing, Sales and Customer Support. In the major markets, where we have well established corporate subsidiaries, we will also use these daughter companies for the HamaTech products. In those markets where SINGULUS and HamaTech used to work through agencies, we have decided to appoint one agent only for the future. A new business and product strategy for both companies was defined and recently published in the press and on the websites. With the aim to combine the strengths of both we have decided to continue with machinery for prerecorded optical disc formats SKYLINE II and SPACELlNE II at SINGULUS only and to continue with the machinery for recordable optical disc formats TAURUS at HamaTech only. All activities in mastering and injection molding will remain unchanged. It will be our obligation and strong commitment to further support the entire installed base of SINGULUS and HamaTech machines even for those product lines To be continued on page 2 Also in this Issue: BLU-LINE Mastering Blu-ray Discs 1000 SPACELINE STEAG HamaTech SINGULUS EMOULD MOLDPRO

2 page 2 SINGULUS is a young company with a remarkable success story. Founded in 1995, producing only a stand-alone CD metallizer, the company grew to become the world's leading supp Continued from page 1 which will be terminated. Our service organization will provide qualified staff and process engineers as well as adequate stock of spare parts in our global markets. Within the next days our sales force will actively contact you to further explain the current situation and give you more detailed outlook about our final plans regarding the future set-up of our company. Please be assured that also for the future structure we will do everything possible to secure and strengthen our reputation of world-class products, service and support to the benefit of our esteemed customers. Just in case you might have any questions regarding our future business strategy and products, please feel free to contact us at any time. Sincerely yours, Roland Lacher Stefan Baustert Klaus Hammen BLU-LINE Replication Line with Film Bonding Unit Blu-ray Disc - the Next Generation Every so often, innovation revolutionizes our reality. Blu-ray Disc technology delivers more of everything you expect from optical media; more capacity, more versatility, more interactivity and more reliability. No other format can match the capabilities of this remarkable new format. This media generation will carry the optical disc industry to new heights in the coming years. For mass production, unprecedented challenges must be mastered by line equipment suppliers in order to provide the same productivity and ease of operation for Blu-ray Disc as found in modern DVD replication systems. These challenges include new types of cover layer processes, managing a high layer uniformity on the polycarbonate substrates, and dealing with different processes for single layer and dual layer manufacturing. BLU-LINE SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES, the world s leading system integrator of optical disc replication equipment, partnered with Sony Corporation back in November 2004 to conduct joint research and development activities for the development of Blu-ray Disc mass production technology. As a result of this cooperation, SINGULUS has designed and manufactured BD-ROM replication lines for mass production, which will be distributed in the future by its well-established marketing, sales and service organizations. The first BLU-LINE production systems were delivered to major international customers in September This makes SINGULUS the first European line manufacturer to place Blu-ray replication lines in pilot production. Blu-ray Disc technology is characterized by varied layer structures with different materials. With a classical design approach, one would have to limit the application to a particular structure and would therefore lack the flexibility to provide optimum solutions for individual customers. In order to overcome that drawback, modularity in system layout and configuration became the key design strategies. The BLU-LINE was specifically designed to deal with any kind of cover layer technology and to provide stable product quality over the entire production run. Each layer requires optimized hardware and software to achieve the proper process conditions. SINGULUS has prepared special modules for sputtering technology, cover layer technology and hard-coat technology. The arrangement of the cover layer module can easily be altered between laminated

3 [news] ISSUE 31 MARCH 2006 page 3 lier of CD and DVD inline manufacturing equipment. This success came from a dedicated focus on the optical disc market and innovate R&D leading to new proprietary technologies. film- and liquid resin-technology, when process or cost modifications demand reconfiguration of the system. This BLU-LINE provides unequalled process flexibility at a footprint size of 4000 x 4000 x 2000 mm (LxWxH). No extra control cabinet is required. All parts are integrated into the machine body. The SINGULUS BLU-LINE is designed according to the specifications issued by the Blu-ray Disc Association, and provides excellent maintenance and service accessibility. The following features characterize the BLU-LINE concept: Dedicated to production BD Single Layer Production cycle time < 5.0 seconds for Blu-ray Disc Modular, highly integrated design incl. all production steps from molding, cooling, metallizing, bonding/lacquering, UV curing, hard coating, label side coating to quality inspection Thickness Measurement Device (TMD) for metallized layers with close loop control for the cathode High productivity, high uptime Clear structured disc flow, avoiding any mismatch between discs Automated handling of Blu-ray Disc through all production steps Minimum space required MOLDPRO One system for all optical disc formats: CD DVD HD DVD Blu-ray Disc SINGULUS Introduces New MOLDPRO All-Electric Molding Machine SINGULUS optical disc production technology, known worldwide as the benchmark for disc manufacturing, is now further enhanced by the next generation of molding technology. With the introduction of the new MOLDPRO molding machine, SINGULUS MOLDING reacts to the market demand for higher reproducibility, cost efficiency and daily output. The new machine will be presented during the in-house exhibition at SINGULUS headquarters in Kahl/Main. SINGULUS MOLDING, with its manufacturing facility in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, was established in 2005 to develop and manufacture these next generation molding machines. The new injection molding technology provides unique opportunities and is ready for mass production. The unique design concept, comprehensive product development and extensive process experience make the MOLDPRO a state-ofthe-art molding machine. In conjunction with SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES superior replication and mastering technology, SINGULUS MOLDING offers optimized and stable molding processes with the highest precision and repeatability at the shortest cycle times. The new concept is based on the experience of more than 1700 molding machines already in the market. To set the future benchmark in optical disc production, a new generation of components with enhanced functionality are used in combination with highly-improved ergonomics. SINGULUS is focusing on this new line to reach the highest productivity in the market. With SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES worldwide sales and service network in its corner, SINGULUS MOLDING is able to offer exceptional support and technological synergism to benefit our customers.

4 page 4 Disc Structure On-Groove recording In-Groove recording Land Groove Substrate Moulded substrate Land Groove Substrate Transmission Stack Cover Transmission Stack Read-out beam Read-out beam Mastering Blu-ray Disc Recordable & Rewritable Formats More information: Blu-ray Association web site: Introduction Although sometimes forgotten due to the attention paid to the ongoing battle between HD DVD and Blu-ray, also the recordable and rewritable formats are slowly coming into position. With SINGULUS MASTERING recording systems, such as the DUV and its successor the 266, masters for BD-R and BD-RE are already being manufactured. A 266 with these formats is ready to be installed and a DUV machine is in constant use in the US. Recordings made in Eindhoven show excellent results. The format Like most common recordable and rewritable formats, the format consists of a wobbled groove. The groove provides a tracking signal on the unrecorded disc, the wobble generates a timing for the disc drive. In addition, it is used to embed, addresses identifying track positions in the whole area on the disc. It also contains auxiliary information such as to laser write power and strategy to be used when writing on the disc. The physical track pitch of a BD-R(E) groove is equal to that of a BD-ROM disc, namely 0.32 µm. The sensitive layer on a BD-R might be either organic dye, as in CD-R/DVD±R, or an inorganic material stack. In the former case, groove depth will be in the nm range, in the latter case, groove depth will be between 20 and 30 nm, as it is in BD-RE. BD-RE does require an On- Groove structure, for BD-R both structures are allowed, the actual choice of structure will depend upon the nature of the sensitive layer. In HD DVD, where the has the same construction as the DVD, no such considerations occur. The HD DVD-R grooves are very similar to the DVD±R. HD DVD-RAM uses land/groove recording, like DVD-RAM, so In-Groove and On-Groove occur within the same disc. Mastering Mastering BD-R(E) does not pose very strong requirements to the LBR. While the ROM formats do require excellent spot quality and precise timing to prevent inter symbol interference, recording a continuous groove is a relatively easy task. In the standard photo resist mastering process, pits or grooves are created on the master. The (father) stamper has bumps or ridges, resulting in a replica that has pits or grooves. As in BD-RE On-Groove recording is mandatory, the production stamper must have grooves. Hence a so called mother stamper is used. From the master, one standard (father) stamper is produced. From this stamper a new stamper (mother) is made. From one father stamper, many mothers can be made. The challenge in BD-R(E) mastering is not in the equipment, but in the process. Noise in the HF channel is one of the limiting factors in BD-R(E) performance. The latter may be related to the roughness of the grooves. In extremely thin photo resist layers, groove walls en land surface tend to develop a coarse grained structure. At SINGULUS MASTERING, we put a considerable effort into reducing this roughness. Different photo resists and process conditions are being investigated. While the program is not yet completed, interesting results have already been obtained.

5 [news] ISSUE 31 MARCH 2006 page 5 SINGULUS is a young company with a remarkable success story. Founded in 1995, producing only a stand-alone CD metallizer, the company grew to become the world's leading supplier o SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES Sells SPACELINE No. SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES, global market leader in the optical disc industry, has set a new milestone: SINGULUS just sold the 1000 th inline replication system of its successful SPACELINE family to digicon AG, Kornwestheim/Germany. With a market share of over 65 percent, the SPACELINE is the benchmark for the production of prerecorded DVD. HD. The new SPACELINE II HD combines all DVD formats including high density HD DVD. With a cycle time below 2.30 seconds, this machine achieves the most cost-efficient disc production and highest product quality and yield available. All SPACELINE II lines are upgradeable for the production of HD DVD. More than 60 percent of the machines sold in 2005 are combined ones. 1000to digicon! steps for CD and DVD production in their modern facility. Starting with the mastering service, relying on a DMS Evolution from SINGULUS MASTERING, the range of services includes stamper production, replication, 6c multi-color printing, packaging as well as warehousing. SINGULUS was the first supplier of inline DVD manufacturing systems worldwide, introducing the first SPACELINE series in With the installation of over 500 SPACELINES by 2003, SINGULUS had turned the system into the industry benchmark. The success continued with the SPACELINE II. Within the first year of its introduction in 2004, SINGULUS had delivered almost 200 SPACELINE II lines. A new system for the production of HD DVD was introduced in May 2005: The SPACELINE II DigiCon AG was established in 1994 and has quickly become one of the most modern independent European manufacturers of optical media. The company has over 80 employees and subsidiaries in Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Always serving its customers with the latest and innovative machine technology, digicon has chosen the SPACELINE II HD as the most reliable and efficient solution to expand their manufacturing performance with a replication line of an excellent reputation. DigiCon provides all Photo (f.l.t.r.): Helge Armin Hofer (CEO, digicon AG), Helmut Schilling (Director Sales & Marketing Europe, SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG), Winfried Hofer (CPO, digicon AG), Dieter Wagner (Product Manager Prerecorded Optical Disc, SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG)

6 page 6 STEAG HamaTech Special STEAG HamaTech qualifies EMOULD Molding Machines for DVD-R Mass Production with TAURUS STEAG HamaTech offers the DVD-R high performance production equipment TAURUS now with two SINGULUS EMOULD all-electric molding machines. The advantages of an integrated production system are obvious. TAURUS is designed to run at a handling and process cycle time of 2.0 seconds for 16x DVD-R, which is a milestone in the industry, already approved by leading replication companies. In addition to an exceptionally fast cycle time, the TAURUS also provides the best investment cost to output ratio that can be achieved worldwide today. The TAURUS is also future-proof. It was developed for 16x DVD-R, but based upon its modularity it is also prepared for an upgrade to produce DVD-R Dual Layer. The base machine of the SINGULUS EMOULD S2000/3 is manufactured by FANUC, the world market leader for all-electric molding machines. The concept consists of an optimized rigid frame and platen, five motors and the 5-point toggle system. Together with its unique CNC controller, which allows simultaneous movements, the all-electric molding machine guarantees high reliability. Additionally, the automatic central lubrication system stands for almost maintenance free operation. The proven design concept, continuous development and a maximum of process experience make the EMOULD machine one of the leading molding machine among the group of manufacturers of electric machines. In conjunction with the leading technology of SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES replication lines and mastering systems, SINGULUS EMOULD offers optimized and stable molding processes with fastest cycle times. Various features of the TAURUS replication line ensure both that excellent mechanical properties of the discs are achieved, and that the entire production process is highly stable, a necessary pre-requisite for high performance discs. For instance, the newly developed cooling and conditioning system consists of a pre-stabilizer and a cooling track, where discs are laid onto an air cushion. This means that the cooling process does not affect the mechanical properties

7 Contact: STEAG HamaTech AG Ferdinand-von-Steinbeis Ring 10 D Sternenfels, Germany Phone: +49 (0) / 41-0 Fax: +49 (0) / [news] ISSUE 31 MARCH 2006 page 7 Matthias Heintel Director Business Unit Optical Disc Phone: +49 (0) / Ulrich Speer Director Business Unit Optical Disc Phone: +49 (0) / as regular maintenance work is reduced by 50 % compared to single cathode metallizers. The new bonding module was designed specifically for 16x DVD-R. Additionally, an intelligent buffering system allows for the full utilization of the maximum production speed already today. Using additional equipment for feeding half discs into the TAURUS line enables the system to operate at 2.0 seconds. Tests under mass production conditions have already shown full process capability of the TAURUS at 2.0 seconds. The know-how from STEAG HamaTech s process experts has enabled us to reach an IMM cycle time of 2.8 seconds for 16x DVD+R using TAURUS with only two SINGULUS EMOULD S2000/3 injection molding machines at highest quality levels. The combination of professional expertise at STEAG HamaTech, SINGULUS EMOULD and SINGULUS MASTERING has resulted in production of 16x DVD+R discs already at 2.5 seconds IMM cycle time under laboratory conditions. STEAG HamaTech expects to transfer this performance into real mass production conditions by the end of this year s third quarter. of the discs, and the molding process need not be adjusted to compensate for any such effect. Therefore the requirements of the injection molding process can solely focus on disc performance and cycle time. In addition, because of the heat treatment of active and dummy half discs, where the polycarbonate of each half disc experiences the same temperature history, the mechanical characteristics of the DVD/Rs are not affected by changes in the environmental conditions. TAURUS also provides an improved dye coating module with integrated cleaning station, and separate handling of active and dummy half discs throughout the line for a stable handling and production flow. The newly introduced dual cathode metallizer deposits homogenous coatings with a target lifetime of 170,000 discs per cathode (for 50 nm thickness). This is an important achievement in order to increase productivity The EMOULD and the TAURUS machines combined with the excellent expertise do offer an outstanding solution for the most competitive mass manufacturing platform of recordable DVD. TAURUS with 2 EMOULD Molding Machines for DVD-R Mass Production

8 Headquarters SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG Hanauer Landstrasse 103, D Kahl, Germany Phone: Fax: sales@singulus.de Internet: Associated Companies Germany: SINGULUS EMOULD GmbH St.-Jobser-Strasse 52 D Würselen Phone: Fax: info@emould.de Netherlands: SINGULUS MASTERING B.V. Marinus v. Meelweg EN Eindhoven Phone: Fax: info@singulus.nl Switzerland: SINGULUS MOLDING AG Schlachthofstrasse 35 CH-8200 Schaffhausen Phone: Fax: sales@singulus-molding.ch NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS SINGULUS EMOULD Development Moves Forward Straightly The development of the EMOULD S2000/3 IMM and their applications progresses straight on. This concerns all customer relevant needs: Ongoing quality optimization and reducing of cycle times for DVD and DVD/R 16x increase the daily output, reliability and thus the profitability of our customers EMOULDs clearly. The establishment and further integration of new formats e.g. HD DVD ensures also the future system prospective, something on which SINGULUS EMOULD customers always can rely on. Short cycle times for DVD 9 as well as HD DVD mass production The DVD/R 16x production with the EMOULD is now available for both, AWM-6.1 and Axxicon STX Molds, with cycle times clearly below 2.8 seconds. The integration of the STEAG HamaTech DVD/R line TAURUS with the EMOULD will be demonstrated at the in-house exhibition in Kahl with 2.5 seconds cycle time. The excellent performance of the HD DVD production at 3 seconds SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG Subsidiaries Brazil SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES LATIN AMERICA LTDA. Tel.: , Fax: latinamerica@singulus.com.br France SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES France S.A.R.L. Tel.: , Fax: singulus@club-internet.fr Great Britain/ SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES UK LTD. Ireland Tel.: , Fax: singulus_uk@msn.com Italy SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES ITALIA S.R.L. Tel.: , Fax: singulus.italia@fastnet.it Singapore SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES Asia Pacific Tel.: , Fax: singulus@singnet.com.sg Spain SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES IBERICA S.L. Tel.: , Fax: singulus@singulusib.com Taiwan SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES TAIWAN LTD. Tel.: , Fax: sales@singulus.com.tw USA/Canada SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES INC. Tel.: , Fax: sales@singulus.com USA/ SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES INC. West-Coast Office Tel.: , Fax: sales@singulus.com The permanent optimization of mechanical engineering and process technology of the EMOULD offers large potential for all optical disc formats. Example: By the introduction of the high precision injection control mode we where able to reduce our already good result on the shot weight variations further and are now clearly below 0.01 % standard deviation with DVD/R substrates. This is just one detail constituting the current SINGULUS EMOULD highlights: could be confirmed by the new HITACHI HD DVD tester at SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES in Kahl. The release of a 2.5 seconds HD DVD molding process is expected for March SINGULUS EMOULD offers with approx injection molding machines installed worldwide and ten years experience in the optical disc business the most proven technological basis. Continuous improvements make sure that our customers will participate successfully in the evolving markets of optical disc business. Come and see us at Booth No. E 06 EMOULD DVD/R Shot Weight Deviation 03/ MetaCom Printed in Germany, Technical alterations reserved Shot Weight [g] 7,80 7,70 7,60 7,50 7, Normal High Precision Shot No.