MINNEAPOLIS -- CyberOptics today reported first quarter sales of $14.1 million, up 18% from a year ago and exceeding the upper end of previously reported guidance.

The net loss was $173,000, versus a net loss of $214,000 in 2017.

Sales of inspection systems declined 4% year-over-year to $4.5 million in the quarter. Sales of 3D MRS-enabled SQ3000 AOI systems rose 21% to $2.1 million, offset by reduced demand for legacy 2D AOI and solder paste inspection systems. CyberOptics added six new SQ3000 customers during the first quarter. Gross margin was affected by lower prices for 2D and 3D inspection systems in the broader surface mount technology (SMT) market.

Total sensor sales increased 29% year-over-year to $5.1 million in the quarter. Sales of 3D MRS-enabled sensors, primarily to KLA-Tencor and Nordson YesTech, increased almost 300% to $2.1 million. Several semiconductor manufacturers are evaluating CyberOptics’ mid-end semiconductor inspection sensors, which utilize the company’s Multi-Reflection Suppression (MRS) technology. The company continues to expect initial sales of these sensors in the second half of 2018. CyberOptics is continuing to pursue new OEM relationships in its key vertical markets of SMT, semiconductor and metrology.

First quarter sales of semiconductor sensors, principally the WaferSense product line, rose 36% year-over-year to $3.2 million, reflecting the growing acceptance of WaferSense products as important productivity enhancement tools by semiconductor manufacturers.

Sales of general-purpose metrology products increased 40% year-over-year to $1.4 million in the first quarter, driven by legacy scanning products and services. Potential metrology customers are showing interest in the recently launched SQ3000 3D CMM system, which incorporates the SQ3000’s AOI inspection capabilities with metrology functionality.

Total first quarter sales of 3D MRS-enabled products, including sensors, inspection systems and metrology products, increased 90% year-over-year to $4.3 million.

“We are very encouraged by the progress that our 3D MRS sensor technology is making in our key vertical markets of SMT, semiconductor and metrology due to its demonstrated competitive advantages," said Subodh Kulkarni, Ph.D., president and chief executive. "We also are very optimistic about the future prospects of our WaferSense product family.”

CyberOptics ended the quarter with an order backlog of $12.1 million, up from $11.4 million at the end of the fourth quarter 2017. The company is forecasting sales of $14 million to $15.5 million for the second quarter ending Jun. 30.

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