Hanul Semiconductor Completes Development of Korea's First AI-Based Industrial Diamond Inspection Machine

Hanul Semiconductor announced on September 29 that it has developed an industrial diamond inspection machine capable of performing full inspections and classification of irregular particles as well as ultra-small particles as tiny as 100 micrometers (μm).

This equipment incorporates the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) integrated solution, HawAIe, based on its experience and expertise in developing multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) inspection machines. In particular, it combines a precision supply and alignment mechanism, a dedicated optical system, AI-based defect detection software, and a precision discharge function. This enables simultaneous high-speed full inspection and automatic classification.

Industrial diamonds are essential consumables in cutting, polishing, and precision machining. Recently, due to their excellent material properties, their use has expanded rapidly into high-precision industries such as semiconductors, automotive electronics, and the aerospace sector, driving rapid growth in the high-value-added materials market.

However, industrial diamonds have complex shapes and significant quality variations, making precise supply and inspection difficult with existing equipment. As a result, on-site workers have had to rely solely on limited sample inspections and visual checks.

Hanul Semiconductor explained that this new equipment overcomes these limitations. It is evaluated as meeting the ultrafine inspection technology requirements of advanced manufacturing sectors such as semiconductor substrate materials, aerospace, defense, as well as energy industries like geological exploration. The company stated that this enables quality standardization, reduction of inspection costs, and process automation, making it highly significant for entering new markets.

Hanul Semiconductor is drawing significant attention in the industry, including efforts to establish a strategic partnership with I Diamond, the top domestic company in the field. The company is also in supply negotiations with global leaders such as Element Six from the United Kingdom-the world’s largest industrial diamond manufacturer-and Japan’s Technisco.

A company representative said, “Following the commercialization of the 100μm plating pin full inspection machine, we have now entered the industrial diamond market. This market is expected to reach 4 trillion won this year and is projected to grow at an average annual rate of over 6 percent, with its use as an industrial material expected to expand further.”

The representative added, “By successfully developing an inspection machine dedicated to industrial diamonds, we have solidified our technological competitive edge in the new market for ultra-small, high-precision inspection. We will continue to secure patents for our core technologies and introduce customized smart inspection solutions to expand our global references.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.