Peter Anthony Wright's questions to IVAC leadership • Q2 2024
Question
Asked for details on the HAMR upgrade cycle and installed base, the customer sampling process for the TRIO platform, applications for polymer coatings, and clarification on gross margin guidance.
Answer
Executives stated that about 20 of an install base of 140-145 systems have been upgraded to HAMR, with a steady upgrade cycle expected for the next 5 years. TRIO customer samples are processed in-house in Santa Clara on customer-provided parts. The TRIO's temperature control allows it to coat curved polymer parts for applications like optical lenses. The Q3 gross margin guidance is based entirely on the HDD business, as the focus for TRIO is on securing orders, not immediate revenue.