Archived press releases

Kitchener, Ontario – March 13, 2013

PEER Group® and MKS Instruments® announced today the launch of a joint solution that delivers equipment automation, hardware control and host connectivity. Tool automation development time is reduced by pairing the industry’s most flexible software automation platform, PEER Tool Orchestrator (PTO™), with ECM2 process control platform that reduces overall device controller complexity. This joint automation solution will be showcased at tradeshows throughout the year. The first opportunity to see a demonstration will be at SEMICON China and will be followed by SEMICON West as well as many others.

Simplify your Equipment Automation and Control Architecture

PTO significantly reduces tool automation effort. Equipment makers can develop, adapt and deploy quality equipment software solutions in less time than ever before. OEMs use PTO to manage all activities on the equipment. It provides unprecedented flexibility for host communications, visualization, device integration and coordination. PTO takes your tool from lab to production faster than any other solution on the market.

MKS Instruments’ ECM2 process control platform can be implemented as a complete tool process control platform for a single location or for a complete manufacturing line in LED, Solar and Semiconductor markets. By unifying multiple control solutions in one box the ECM2 simplifies complex control architectures, providing fast and deterministic device control while reducing the OEM’s time to market.

The integrated automation solution demonstrates the ease at which tag-based devices, such as the ECM2 controller, can be integrated into the PTO platform, simplifying device communications and visualization. With ECM2, deterministic control of multiple devices is demonstrated, which simplifies equipment controller architecture. Together, PEER Group and MKS Instruments products reduce the time required to automate your equipment and provide you the needed flexibility for your tool design.

About MKS Instruments

MKS Instruments, Inc. is a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, control, power, monitor and analyze critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes to improve process performance and productivity. Their products are derived from core competencies in pressure measurement and control, materials delivery, gas composition analysis, control and information technology, power and reactive gas generation, and vacuum technology. Primary served markets are manufacturers of capital equipment for semiconductor devices, and for other thin film applications including flat panel displays, solar cells, light emitting diodes, data storage media, and other advanced coatings. MKS Instruments also leverages technology in other markets with advanced manufacturing applications including medical equipment, pharmaceutical manufacturing, energy generation, and environmental monitoring. Learn more at http://www.mksinst.com/.

About PEER Group

The PEER Group Inc. provides innovative factory automation software solutions and consulting services to the semiconductor, photovoltaic, LED and other high-technology industries. The world’s best manufacturing companies turn to PEER Group to solve their most challenging equipment automation, data management, and process control problems. With more than 100,000 licenses shipped, PEER Group is the leading supplier of equipment connectivity and testing products to automated factories around the world. Their innovative and reliable products and services help lower the cost of automation for high-volume manufacturers and their equipment suppliers.