Mitsubishi Electric has contacted Digitimes to refute a recent article claiming it will not be taking any new orders for PCB laser drilling systems due to disrupted production at Renesas Electronics, which produces parts and materials for the devices.

Mitsubishi stated it has not informed regional distributors that it will not be taking any new orders, while stressing that it has not had to cancel half of its secured orders that were for delivery after May. However, Mitsubishi did explain that due to problems concerning the supply of parts, there is a possibility that the delivery of a portion of the orders may be delayed, and that the delivery of new orders may be delayed beyond normal delivery schedules. Mitsubishi said it continues to manufacture and ship products even after the earthquake disaster, and has not faced a situation where the flow of shipments has broken down.

Mitsubishi added that it did not relay any information about disrupted production concerning specific suppliers.

Laser drills are used to make equipment used in the production of high-end PCBs such as any-layer HDI boards, and the industry is already seeing tight supply. The original article stated that delivery of laser drill orders placed now will not begin until November or even 2012 and that the extended lead times will likely hamper PCB companies' process upgrades and capacity expansion plans.