Intel Installs First EUV Tool in Irish Fab 34

Last week Intel finalised the installation of its first EUV tool in Fab 34, which is located in Leixlip, Irlanda. That comes just two months after Intel started installing its first chipmaking equipment in the fab. The EUV tool is made by ASML, but was shipped to Intel in Hillsboro, Oregon, USA first, before being sent back to Europe. It’s unclear why it was shipped to the US first, but it’s possible that Intel tested the equipment there and made sure it was to its spec, before shipping it to its new fab.

This is the first of several machines from ASML that are expected to be installed in Fab 34 and Intel says it’s “a key enabler of Intel 4 process technology”. The ASML machine required four unspecified Boeing aircrafts to ship, as well as 35 trucks to bring it to Fab 34. The machine, or tool as Intel calls it, has been sent in parts since December last year and has only now been completely assembled. For more details, see the video after the break.