REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Data I/O(R) Corporation (NASDAQ:DAIO), the leading provider of device programming solutions for the automotive industry, and ICOS Vision Systems Corporation NV (Euronext and Nasdaq: IVIS), a leading supplier of inspection solutions for the semiconductor industry, have collaborated on the integration of ICOS 3D inspection for semiconductor devices into Data I/O PS588 high-volume offline programming system. The new system combines programming and 3D inspection into one high-speed process, assuring that programmed devices delivered to the production line are properly programmed and free from defects. The market for component inspection is expected to grow rapidly over the next several years, driven by stringent quality requirements and ever smaller, higher performance Integrated Circuits. Routine handling of semiconductor components can result in coplanarity problems, bent leads, or lead burrs that can negatively impact quality in the final product. Coplanarity problems can cause solder joints to fail during manufacture, or reduce system reliability in the field. By introducing post-programming inspection, Data I/O's PS588 system with inspection ensures that all passed devices fall within the coplanarity tolerances before output to media. The increased manufacturing yield and reduction in subsequent failures offer substantial savings for electronics manufacturers. "A single solution that can now accomplish both programming and inspection brings great value to Data I/O customers" said Andre Dehuysser, Sales Manager Europe of ICOS. "Conducting inspection on successfully programmed devices is an efficient way to assure that only good devices are presented to the production line. The combination of the most advanced programming technology with our Compact LIM inspection module is unique in the industry." Upon completion of a successful programming operation, the PS588 robotic head picks up the device and presents it to the ICOS inspection module, where the X, Y, and Z axes are visually inspected for flaws or damage. In addition to coplanarity measurement, the system also offers inspection of lead pitch and slant. Upon successful inspection, the device is then placed in an output media -- tray, tape, or tube. "The ICOS inspection capability, combined with high-speed device programming, is a powerful solution that assures that only the highest quality devices move into the PCB assembly process," said Harald Weigelt, VP of Operations for Data I/O. "We anticipate that the programming/inspection system will be a very effective solution for our customers implementing fine pitch leaded devices in automotive, industrial and consumer products." The PS588 is a high performance automated programming system offered by Data I/O for volume programming of microcontroller, Flash memory and NAND flash devices. Designed for OEM/ODM or programming centers producing in high volumes for small or large batches, the system provides flexible control over data file management, job creation and programming process control. About ICOS ICOS designs and manufactures inspection equipment for the semiconductor packaging industry. It is a world-leading supplier of equipment for the final visual control of chips before they are used in various applications, such as PC's, cars or portable phones. ICOS' systems perform two- and three- dimensional (2D and 3D) inspections as part of the final visual quality control step in the manufacturing of chips, wafers, flexible tapes for flat panel displays, sockets, substrates and solar cells. Aside from its complete systems, ICOS also offers inspection subsystems for integration in other equipment. ICOS' headquarters are located in Leuven, Belgium and it has R&D centers in Belgium, Germany and Hong Kong and sales and support offices in Japan, the USA, Singapore, Korea and Hong Kong and production facilities in Belgium, Hong Kong and China. About Data I/O With more than 34 years of innovative leadership in the device programming industry, Data I/O(R) Corporation (NASDAQ:DAIONASDAQ:-NASDAQ:News) provides semiconductor device handling and programming systems, manufacturing and process control applications to manufacturers of automotive electronics, wireless and consumer products, and semiconductors. Data I/O Corporation is headquartered in Redmond, Washington, and has sales and service offices worldwide. For more information, see http://www.dataio.com/ or call 800-426-1045. Forward-Looking Statements All company and product names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are used for identification purposes only. The matters discussed in this news release include forward- looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary significantly. These risks include market and competitive factors, and other risks described in the Company's most recent annual report and/or in any of its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this release. Reference to the Company's website above does not constitute incorporation of any of the information thereon into this press release. Contact: Megan Miller Data I/O Corporation 425-867-6927 or Dennis McFarland Goldstein Group Communications 216-573-2300 DATASOURCE: Data I/O Corporation CONTACT: Megan Miller, Data I-O, +1-425-867-6927, ; Dennis McFarland, Goldstein Group Communications, +1-216-573-2300, Web site: http://www.ggcomm.com/

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