Hanul Semiconductor Begins Production of Second-Generation Core Mounter Equipment and Develops Transfer Printer for High-Performance MLCC Manufacturing

Hanul Semiconductor announced on February 24 that it has begun full-scale production of its second-generation mounter equipment, which is used in the core processes for manufacturing high-performance multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs).

The second-generation equipment aims to improve performance and production yield by about 30% or more compared with the first-generation equipment that the company developed and currently owns. While the existing equipment focused on supporting the 1005 specification for IT-use MLCCs, the second-generation equipment is designed to handle specifications down to 0603, enabling it to broadly accommodate production demand for high-performance MLCCs for automotive electronics and artificial intelligence (AI) servers.

Hanul Semiconductor first plans to develop a demo model with the characteristics of a performance-improvement version and complete it in early March, then use it as a basis to launch full-scale marketing activities. Through the demo model, the company will conduct on-site tests and technology validation at customer facilities in parallel, while simultaneously carrying out detailed design of the next-generation core process equipment to secure mass-production readiness in advance.

As demand for high-performance MLCCs for automotive electronics and AI servers is surging, the second-generation equipment, which reflects major customers' requirements for improved quality, productivity, and utilization rate, is being targeted for an official launch within this year. Hanul Semiconductor plans to expand application of its in-house AI platform "HawAIe" from existing visual inspection equipment to all automated equipment, thereby enhancing on-site operational convenience and equipment completeness.

In addition, Hanul Semiconductor is developing a defective-chip vision sorter and a transfer printer, which are used in post-mounter processes, as part of its post-process equipment development lineup. Through this, the company aims to secure a full lineup of key post-process equipment within the high-performance MLCC manufacturing process.

A company representative said, "In line with the outlook for increasing demand for high-performance MLCCs, we are working to expand orders for process equipment and to enter global markets," adding, "By combining on-site know-how with our AI platform, we will grow into a partner that meets customer needs."

The representative continued, "Since last year, we have been pursuing data-driven operations using AI functions developed in-house to meet global standards, and we will expand references that actually improve productivity and the construction of integrated lines," and emphasized, "By integrating high-precision control technologies, we will establish our solutions as the standard at customer sites and contribute to improvements in productivity and quality."

Meanwhile, Hanul Semiconductor's sales in the first quarter of this year are expected to increase by 20% to 25% year-on-year. To achieve this year's sales targets, the company plans to focus its capabilities on advancing AI, developing ultra-precision equipment for new markets, and expanding customized equipment for customers.