NASHUA, N.H., May 23 -- Robotic Vision Systems Inc. (RVSI) said it has received a multi-unit order for its LS-7700 lead scanning systems from one of the semiconductor industry's largest contract test, assembly and packaging organizations. It cited the purchases as evidence of an upturn in the semiconductor capital equipment industry, "This order is significant for two reasons," said Michael Gray, vice president of sales for RVSI's semiconductor equipment group. "This customer has had a capital-spending freeze in place for over a year, and this is their first equipment purchase from us since that freeze went into place. More importantly, it is early evidence of a requirement for additional capacity at the leading edge of test, assembly and packaging houses." Lead scanners cost between $300,000 and $450,000 per system; they are used to inspect assembled integrated circuits prior to shipment to customers. The scanners check for package uniformity and integrity and ensure that leads and ball-grid arrays are properly aligned. This check is typically the final one done on a semiconductor package. The systems are expected to be shipped and installed in June. They will be produced at RVSI's semiconductor equipment group facility in Hauppauge, N.Y. For more information, visit: www.rvsi.com