Fuji Electric and Semikron Team Up

Two global players combine their strengths to offer power electronic components for the industrial drives market

Nuremberg, November 2008. Fuji Electric Device Technology Co., Ltd. , Japan, leading global manufacturer of power semiconductor components and with the third-highest ranking of worldwide IGBT module supplier market share (source: Worldwide market for power semiconductor discretes and modules 2008, IMS-Research) and Semikron International GmbH, Germany, market leader for diodes and thyristor modules with a 37% market share (“Worldwide market for power semiconductor discretes and modules 2008”, IMS-Research) and expert in packaging technology for power semiconductor modules, signed a supply and licence agreement at Semikron in Nuremberg. Fuji Electric will supply IGBT semiconductor chips to SEMIKRON; in return Semikron will supply Fuji Electric with freewheeling and rectifier diode chips, and module cases in spring contact technology. Power modules with spring contacts will be manufactured by Fuji Electric under licence.

Under this co-operation, the two companies are forging the basis for mutual supply of power semiconductor chips. With the new freewheeling diode and rectifier diode chips from SEMIKRON and the IGBT chips from Fuji Electric, both companies are expanding their product range to offer customers the optimum chip/module combination for a given application. By using the same spring contact technology Fuji Electric and SEMIKRON are able to increase the market penetration for industrial drives, power supplies and home appliances. This matches the second source policy of customers.

“This venture opens up new horizons for both parties”, states Dirk Heidenreich, CEO of Semikron International. “The MiniSKiiP and SEMiX concept, which allows for solder-free connection to the controller, reduces the production costs incurred in inverter production”. The MiniSKiiP and SEMiX modules from Fuji Electric and Semikron are set to meet the demands of the fast growing market for power modules with spring contact technology. The modules are used mainly in the industrial market, for instance in electric drives, power supplies and welding.

“With modules in spring contact technology, we will be able to conquer new market segments in the power electronics market not only for industrial drives, but also for power supplies and home appliances,” stated Dr. Hisao Shigekane, President and Representative Director of Fuji Electric Device Technology. “We are convinced that our constant efforts to combine our chip know-how of the both companies in the power semiconductor modules will provide customers with the best solution and the highest quality.“
Features of spring contact
Spring contacts allow for electrical connection without the use of solders. No solders in turn means no aging in solder joints. Spring contacts are therefore highly resistant to shock, vibration and corrosion and boast excellent thermal cycling properties, even in harsh ambient conditions. The controller can be easily screwed onto the module, as electrical connection is established through the pressure applied by the spring contacts.

Press contact SEMIKRON:
Gerlinde Stark
Head of International Communications
SEMIKRON International GmbH
Sigmundstrasse 200
90431 Nürnberg/ Germany
Gerlinde.Stark@semikron.com
Tel: 0911-6559-217
Fax: 0911-6559-77217

About SEMIKRON
Founded in 1951, German-based Semikron is a family enterprise that employs 3000 people worldwide. Semikron comprises of a global network of 35 companies with 10 production sites that guarantees fast and competent on-site customer care. SEMIKRON is market leader in the field of diode/thyristor modules, enjoying a 37% share of the worldwide market. (Source: IMS Research, “The worldwide market for power semiconductor discretes and modules” 2008).
Products
Semikron’s product range consists of 11,600 different power semiconductors, including chips, discrete diodes/thyristors, power modules (IGBT / MOSFET / diode / thyristor), driver and protection components and integrated subsystems.
Applications:
“Semikron inside” has become a trade mark for young developing markets such as electric drives, wind power generators, solar power, electric vehicles, welding machines, lifts, power supplies, conveyor belts and trams. As a significant innovator in the power electronics sector, many of Semikron’s progressive developments have been accepted as industrial standards.

For more information, visit www.semikron.com.

This release was published on openPR.