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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Tegal sold its deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) business to SPP Process Technology Systems (SPTS) in a deal announced on February 9, 2011, and closed immediately after the agreement was signed. Tegal reported approximately $2.1 million in consideration: $1.6 million in cash and about $0.5 million in short-term liabilities assumed by SPTS. The transaction transferred named DRIE product lines and related assets, while SPTS took on existing customer contracts, including installation and warranty obligations.
What Tegal sold to SPTS
The asset purchase covered Tegal France SAS’s capital stock and operations, Tegal’s DRIE product lines, certain equipment, intellectual property and process know-how. The named systems were the Tegal 200, 110, 3200 and 4200 DRIE series. Compact and Pluto development assets were included as well. Tegal’s February 2011 transaction announcement and its SEC filing describe the deal’s scope.
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GEMKIT Pneumatic Jewelry Engraving Machine, 400-8000 RPM Adjustable Speed, Dual Engraving Heads,... | $312.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The transaction followed Tegal’s 2008 acquisition of DRIE assets from Alcatel Micro Machining Systems. SPTS’s corporate history records the acquisition of Tegal’s silicon DRIE business in 2011.
How much SPTS paid
Tegal Corporation reported approximately $2.1 million in aggregate consideration in 2011. It comprised $1.6 million in cash and approximately $0.5 million in short-term liabilities assumed by SPTS. The figure is the transaction’s reported consideration, not a recurring payment or a per-system price. Tegal’s announcement gives the amount and components.
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- 【High-Precision Metal Engraving】 This pneumatic engraving machine delivers 400-8000 RPM adjustable speed with dual-head design, specifically engineered for precise engraving on metals including gold, silver, copper, and stainless steel. Manual speed control allows fine-tuning for different materials
- 【Dual-Head Versatility】 Equipped with two interchangeable engraving heads: one for fine detail work on jewelry, and another for deeper engraving on metal surfaces. Switch heads in seconds for multi-material processing
- 【User-Friendly Operation】 Simple pneumatic connection (air compressor and its original factory tubing are not included, please prepare on your own; we recommend your air compressor's stock tubing with an 8mm outer diameter for perfect fit). Install an oil-water separator before the air compressor to prevent water from entering the machine. Comes with intuitive manual speed adjustment and requires no complex software—ideal for jewelers, metalworkers, and craft enthusiasts.
- 【Professional Results on Multiple Materials】 Perfect for jewelry making, metal tag engraving, tool marking, award plaque customization, and personalizing metal, wood, glass, and plastic surfaces. Create permanent, professional-grade markings
- 【Durable & Reliable Construction】Built with industrial-grade components for continuous operation in workshops. Compact design saves space while delivering powerful, vibration-free engraving performance. GEMKIT HH-G01 ensures professional results with every use
What happened to Tegal DRIE customers
SPTS assumed existing customer contracts, including installation and warranty obligations, and committed to continued global support. This meant responsibility for those existing commitments passed with the business rather than ending when Tegal sold the assets. The announcement and transaction filing describe the contract assumption and support commitment.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why DRIE mattered—and why the deal was strategic
Deep reactive ion etching removes material from silicon to create deep, precise features. Tegal’s SEC filing identifies applications including three-dimensional interconnect structures and through-silicon vias, alongside manufacturing markets such as MEMS and sensors. These capabilities made DRIE relevant to advanced semiconductor packaging as well as microelectromechanical devices. Tegal’s filing describes the technology and its applications.
For Tegal, the sale was part of a strategic review of DRIE and related assets as the company changed its business model; it marked an exit from the DRIE business. For SPTS, the acquisition added silicon DRIE systems, development assets and associated know-how to a broader portfolio spanning etch, deposition and thermal processing. SPTS said the deal would enhance its DRIE portfolio, broaden its customer base and expand its ability to deliver DRIE solutions globally. SPTS’s statement in the announcement describes its rationale.
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