$373M ASML chipmaker shrinks to $228 – but it's made of Lego

If you thought $373 million was a little bit beyond your budget to get your hands on the latest chipmaking machines, ASML will let you have one for just $228 – provided you don't mind it being made of Lego.

ASML EUV lego machine – Pic copyright ASML, used with permission

The Netherlands headquartered tech giant has added a simulacrum of its TWINSCAN EXE:5000 lithography equipment to its online store, allowing anyone with a spare $227.95 to own their very own chipmaking machine.

This Lego version is about 14 inches long, 4 inches high and 2.5 inches wide (about 36 x 10 x 6.3 cm), making it a fair bit smaller than the real-life machine, an example of which was delivered to Intel in Oregon earlier this year in more than 43 freight containers and weighing in at 165 tons.

It seems that this isn't the first such foray into the world of miniature lithography kit for ASML. A spokesperson told us: "Occasionally, we bring out Lego models in limited quantities," and the store itself lists another TWINSCAN model for sale at a lower price of $166.70.

ASML also assured us there are no export restrictions on the Lego TWINSCAN EXE:5000.

The real-life unit is heavily restricted as it was the first of the company's High NA extreme ultraviolet (EUV) systems, none of which can be exported to regions such as China under rules that have since been extended to cover even some of the less sophisticated deep ultraviolet (DUV) kit.

According to ASML, the (real) machine uses 13.5 nm light and enables multiple future chip technology generations, starting with 2 nm logic nodes. It is also claimed to be able to image more than 185 silicon wafers per hour, with a roadmap for increasing that to 220 wafers per hour in 2025.

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Belgian research lab Imec (Interuniversity Microelectronics Center) claimed to have demonstrated the viability of this next-gen lithography kit for laying down the patterns for minuscule logic structures earlier this year.

However, ASML is facing a challenging market in the near future as economic uncertainty and weakening sales of electronics and memory chips outside of the AI sector mean that ASML's chipmaking customers are delaying investments in costly new production gear.

The TWINSCAN EXE:5000 Lego Set has 851 pieces, and ASML said it will only allow customers to order one set each, presumably to stop unscrupulous types from snapping up all the available stock and then offering them for sale at an inflated price. We can imagine something like this could well become a collectors' item if only a limited number exist.

"This iconic set should not be missed alongside your other ASML sets.  Get yours today," the store encourages.

Other items available on the store include a set of Christmas tree ornaments, comprising the ASML logo, NXT machine, and a cleanroom employee, plus the usual mementos such as mouse pads, sweat shirts, and hoodies. ®