Magic City.On the one hand, Wei Jianjun actively promotes the research and development of 14N process technology, and on the other hand, he uses double exposure technology to supply 14N chips to several major customers.First of all, of course, it is to ensure the orders of Times Communications and Ruiyi Semiconductor, and the second is the two major domestic communication giants.In addition, Wei Jianjun has no spare energy to take any orders (14N), but the production capacity of 28N chips has climbed rapidly.Today's 28N lithography machine is at Wei Jianjun's fingertips.As long as he is willing to increase orders, ASML will take as many as he wants, and the delivery will never be delayed.Recently, ASML has also been relieved about the purchase of 14N lithography machines.It's just that the delivery time is relatively light, and it takes a year.At the same time, the other party also requested that the delay in delivery be included in the default waiver clause.In other words, the other party can deliver the goods when they want, without the need to bear the liability for breach of contract.Wei Jianjun and the company's management discussed repeatedly, and finally signed an agreement with ASML to purchase three 14N lithography machines, and paid a deposit for this.An IC production line does not require much lithography equipment, taking the 28n production line with a monthly production capacity of 30,000 pieces as an example, about 14 lithography machines are needed.14 lithography machines seem to be a lot of numbers, but in fact, they are a combination of high and low, and only two or three of the most advanced 28N lithography machines are enough.In addition to the most advanced lithography machines, there are a large number of other equipment, such as deposition equipment, etching equipment, heat treatment equipment, etching,For every 10,000 pieces of production capacity added to a production line, about 50 to 60 etching machines need to be added, while lithography machines need to be added very little.Therefore, when Wei Jianjun has 4 14N lithography machines in his hands, he can build a production line with a monthly output of 60,000 pieces, and the production capacity after mass production is very considerable.Seriously speaking, the manufacturing of most chips at present, the application of 40N\45N process is completely sufficient.In the future, this node will be advanced to 28N, and the 28N process below is mainly used in the field of consumer electronics, the majority of which is mobile phone chips.Wei Jianjun and Xiao Bai discussed that as long as the Beijing Company can win the 28n process technology, the IC manufacturing of the times will not be defeated.Of course, there is a premise for this, that is, the domestic 28N lithography machine can achieve mass production and has no obvious flaws in performance.After Wei Jianjun paid the deposit to ASML, he called Xiao Bai to talk about it.At the same time, he began to negotiate with Pudong Microelectronics and other manufacturers to purchase equipment, including low-process lithography machines to be used in the production line, and other equipment."
Lao Wei, the delivery time of the 14N lithography machine is uncertain, so when will you let the other equipment be delivered?"
Xiao Bai also felt a headache, other equipment was delivered and the 14N lithography machine was not available, the production line still could not run, and the occupation of funds was unavoidable.If you wait for the 14N lithography machine to arrive before ordering other equipment, you will waste a lot of time.After all, equipment and other things are not available at any time, and they need to be customized in advance."
I just want to discuss this matter with you, my idea is not to care about the cost of capital occupation, and other equipment has been delivered one after another half a year."
This kind of thing needs to be weighed, and Wei Jianjun's choice is to set up the production line in advance, and then wait for the 14N lithography machine to arrive."
Well, then deal with it as you think."
Xiao Bai can understand Wei Jianjun's difficulties, this is what it feels like to be stuck in the neck.It doesn't taste good, but you can only endure it.After ending the call, Xiao Bai immediately dialed Fan Donglin."
Dong Fan, how is the improvement work going on over there?
Recently, various companies are actively expanding their production capacity, and there are many lithography machines that need to be purchased. ”Xiao Bai knows very well that the key to this matter lies with Fan Donglin, as long as he can complete the technical improvement and realize the mass production of the 28N lithography machine, there will be no problem with the supply of the 14N lithography machine.After all, no one has a grudge against money, and ASML also needs profit.The reason for the current situation is that Lao Mei has played a very bad role in it."
Xiao Dong, we are working hard.Mr.
Liang provided a lot of valuable suggestions, which made our improvement work a lot easier.Give me some time, and we'll have a final improvement plan by next month at the most. ”Fan Donglin's mouth had a big bubble, and he could feel the pain of drilling his heart when he spoke.He has been in a hurry lately, but there is no shortcut to technical things, and he can only move forward step by step."
Good!
I wait for your good news. ”Xiao Bai didn't say anything more, and then hung up.In the second month, Fan Donglin finally came up with their technical improvement plan as scheduled.Pudong Microelectronics sent a capable technical team to the capital, they brought the parts that needed to be replaced, and carried out technical transformation of the 28N lithography machine prototype locally.After the transformation, the performance of this (28N) prototype produced by Pudong Microelectronics has been greatly improved.This morning.Wei Xiaolou, Liang Jinsong, and Meng Kongliang came to Xiao Bai's office together."
Look at your expressions.The results of the technical verification should be good.Mr.
Liang, tell me, what is the specific situation?
”Xiao Bai saw that the expressions of the three of them were very relaxed, and he knew that the technologically transformed lithography machine should have made great progress.After a few people sat down, Xiao Bai asked with a smile."
The overall situation is not bad, although there is still a gap with ASML in some indicators, but the gap is already within an acceptable range."
Liang Jinsong reported to Xiao Bai on the latest technical verification, and the performance of the transformed lithography machine has been greatly improved.He led the team to complete the 28N process process, and only a few details still need to be improved.Their R&D work was not only carried out smoothly, but also carried out extremely quickly, which was of course due to the contributions of Liang Jinsong and Meng Kongliang, and Wei Jianjun also provided them with very valuable technical support.The stones of other mountains can be used to attack jade, and successful experience has played a crucial role."
Xiao Dong, we have discussed, and now we can officially order the 28N lithography machine of Pudong Microelectronics.This prototype is not counted, I plan to order two more to build a 28N production line with a monthly output of 30,000 pieces. ”Following Liang Jinsong's words, Wei Xiaolou talked about their plan.He plans to gradually increase the production capacity of 28N chips by running in small steps.Although Jingcheng Company basically won the 28N process technology, it cannot hide the fact that the company's technical foundation in advanced processes is weak.The company now has both Liang Jinsong, a leader, and Meng Kongliang, an industry elite, and the improvement of technical level is just around the corner......
But it takes time to settle.Therefore, this gradual development strategy is the most suitable.After listening to this, Xiao Bai smiled and nodded.He was very happy that Wei Xiaolou and the others could be down-to-earth and not be confused by the results achieved in front of them.Immediately, he looked at Meng Kongliang again."
Xiao Dong, we are still striving for excellence in terms of characteristic technology and mature technology.I think the development of the company should go hand in hand, and while pursuing advanced manufacturing processes, we must not lose our own advantages. ”Meng Kongliang is now in charge of mature craftsmanship and characteristic craftsmanship, and he has also achieved dazzling results in these two aspects.His advice is to continue to maintain the company's technological advantages, and then launch an attack on advanced manufacturing processes."
Mr.
Meng, your idea is right, we can't just stare at the top of our heads, we must always pay attention to our feet.Let's talk from the heart, there are a few of you in the Beijing company, I am very relieved!
”Xiao Bai could feel what they were striving for, and everyone's goals were the same, so he was full of expectations for the future of the Beijing company.Wei Xiaolou and the three of them stayed here for almost two hours before leaving."
Xiao Tong, you have arranged the route the day after tomorrow, I will go to the magic capital."
After eating at noon, Xiao Bai instructed Tong Wanqing to call the airline and ask them to apply for the route the day after tomorrow.The 28n lithography machine of Pudong Microelectronics has passed the review of relevant parties, and has also passed the technical verification of Times IC Manufacturing (Beijing) Company, and the product is about to be mass-produced.Before that, Fan Donglin decided to hold a (28N lithography machine) off-line ceremony.The ceremony was scheduled for three days later, and Xiao Bai planned to attend it in person.This time, he stayed in Beijing for a long time, during which he went to Jinmen twice and inspected the factory of the Jingcheng Company in Jinmen.Xiao Bai felt that it was time for him to go.Two days later.Xiao Bai flew to the magic capital on a business jet to participate in the 28N lithography machine off the assembly line ceremony of Pudong Microelectronics.In all these years, he had never stayed so long outside of the Deep City.The only two were the two in the Demon Capital and the capital.A few days after Xiao Bai returned to Shencheng, Wei Jianjun called."
Xiao Dong, ASML has informed us that the 14N lithography machine ordered by the company will be delivered within half a year.It's really interesting to say, as soon as Fan Dong and they announced the mass production of the 28N lithography machine, ASML took the initiative to lift the restrictions on the 14N lithography machine.This world is really so realistic, everything has to be considered from the perspective of strength. ”Wei Jianjun said a lot on the phone, and it was rare to hear him have so many feelings.Xiao Bai can understand his mood, the feeling of being stuck in the neck is very uncomfortable, but he has to endure it.Fortunately, Pudong Microelectronics did not disappoint, and finally came up with a qualified product (28N lithography machine).Domestic manufacturers have made technological progress, and foreign giants will sell at a reduced price on the same generation of products, and the next generation of products will be lifted.Therefore, the core technology must be in your own hands."
Old Wei, I know it's not easy for you, but hope is ahead, right?
Next, you have to work hard to polish the 14N process technology, build a good production line, and increase the production capacity of 14N chips as soon as possible. ”At present, Lao Mei has given up on the 7n process and suppressed the plan of IC manufacturing in the era, after all, Wei Jianjun has advanced the process node to 14n, so the next 7n node can be realized logically.Wei Jianjun and his team have completed the research and development of the 14N process technology, and on this basis, using the double exposure technology, the process will one day be able to advance to the 7N node, which is difficult to stop by external forces.Therefore, the United States has issued restrictions on domestic IC manufacturing companies, not allowing ASML to sell more advanced EUV lithography machines to them.Affected by this, Wei Jianjun used the existing DUV lithography machine, and at most he could only advance the process process to 7n, and then it would stop there.Unless, Pudong Microelectronics can make a breakthrough in EUV lithography technology.Of course, this is all for later, and we will not face that situation for the time being in the next few years.Wei Jianjun chatted with Xiao Bai for almost an hour before hanging up.Putting down the phone, Xiao Bai couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.For a long time, the pressure on himself was just as great.Up to now, the survival pressure of IC manufacturing has been greatly reduced, and although the future is not easy, it is still no problem to survive.At night.Xiao Bai asked Qi Yuefeng to eat together, and at the same time shouted An Ran."
Xiao Dong, the current situation of Times Communications is not optimistic.I heard that the North American side is very dissatisfied with our continued supply to Mr.
Liao, and a new round of blows may be imminent. ”Times Communications focuses on the R&D and sales of RF modules, RF chips, baseband chips and other products, and the cooperation with the two major domestic communication giants has not been interrupted but has also deepened.Coupled with the cooperation of Ruiyi Semiconductor, the two giants are still developing tenaciously under the strong blow of the United States.Therefore, the United States decided to intensify the crackdown on Times Communications.Qi Yuefeng got the news in advance, and when he was drinking, he said it."
Mr.
Qi, this is expected.Next, you have to be mentally prepared that you may have a hard time for a while.In addition, sooner or later, the blows against you will affect Wei Jianjun and them, so you have to increase your inventory a little more. ”Xiao Bai is very clear about Lao Mei's path, and the other party's blows will inevitably increase layer by layer.If necessary, people will jam you at the source.In this matter, the source is the production of chips (foundry).Therefore, when Xiao Bai heard the news, he immediately realized that Wei Jianjun's company was going to be vigilant, and he was wary of what Lao Mei was doing.As for Times Communications, in fact, it has long suffered from the fixed-point strikes of the United States, and its ability to resist strikes has almost been exercised.Xiao Bai was not very worried.An Ran was silently drinking on the side, and he was also listening attentively to the conversation between the two.This matter will have an impact on both him and Wang Jiming, and it seems that the negotiations with GT will have to be accelerated.Sihai Electronics and Wanwei Technology are now mainly engaged in smart phones.They have a great demand for chips with advanced processes, and they also pay more attention to the security of the supply chain.In view of the current situation, Xiao Bai and the senior management of the Times Department have approved their plan to purchase chips, and do not exclude their cooperation with GT.Of course, in the case of choice, their orders will still flow to their own side, such as Times Communications, Ruiyi Semiconductor and other companies under the Times Department.