back to article $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 ASML EUV lego machine – Pic copyright ASML, used with permission The Netherlands headquartered …

  1. OhForF' Silver badge
    Trollface

    Can the lego machine be exported to China or does it fall under US enforced restrictions?

    1. Victor Ludorum
      Headmaster

      There's aways one...

      Who didn't R T F A....

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

      1. seven of five Silver badge

        Re: There's aways one...

        > ASML also assured us

        Not so quick, ASML. As anybody who has inadverdetly stepped onto a brick can tell, the components of said kit may very well fall under a weapons ban.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: There's aways one...

          At least these are easier to find. All you need is bare feet..

    2. Roland6 Silver badge

      Currently only shipping within the USA…

      Suspect given it’s from ASML and carries the name of an export restricted product, attempts to ship it outside of the US might get stopped, with officials not understanding the significance of the word “Lego”…

      1. Ken Moorhouse Silver badge

        Re: the name of an export restricted product

        Seriously? If the parts are labelled "potato peeler", "chip cutter", "chip fryer" surely they would alow that?

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: the name of an export restricted product

          I think a potato peeler weighing in at 165 tons would raise some eyebrows, though..

          1. David 132 Silver badge
            Coat

            Re: the name of an export restricted product

            You've reminded me of the joke quoted in Chernobyl - presumably, based on a real Soviet joke of the period, but who knows.

            "What's as big as a house, burns 20 litres of fuel every hour, puts out a sh*t-load of smoke and noise, and cuts an apple into 3 pieces?

            ...A Soviet machine made to cut apples into 4 pieces!"

            (Icon - yes, that's my jacket, the one with "TULA" written on it in Cyrillic -->)

      2. rmallins

        ASML are *Dutch*. They are not based in the USA. They are a European company that export *to* the USA.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          But the Dutch live in Pennsylvania! Every Good American knows that!

        2. Roland6 Silver badge

          Yes, however, the product is only available from the ASML US web store which only ships within the USA. Ie. it is not possible to use the store to ship the Lego model to the Netherlands (for example); although I suspect employees visiting the Dutch offices could pick one up on their way through reception.

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  3. Howard Sway Silver badge

    What to buy the techie who has everything?

    Obviously the kit on its own is quite a boring thing. So for an extra $899 you can now buy the Lego Industrial Espionage Lab to put it in. Features 16 "research technicians", 2 hi-res cameras, x-ray machine and 4 electron microscopes. Future expansion set to include complete "Chintel" chip manufacturing plant add-on.

    1. Roland6 Silver badge

      Re: What to buy the techie who has everything?

      “ Lego Industrial Espionage Lab” ?

      Surely, that’s going to be Xingbao and is going to be the Technic version (working cameras etc.) requiring an Internet connection etc.

  4. Neil Barnes Silver badge
    Pint

    Well...

    Lego already do pick and place robots, but I fear they may not yet be precise enough for PCB manufacturing, yet...

    Which is a shame, because I'd rather like one!

  5. Gene Cash Silver badge
    Coat

    Sold out?

    That store link gets a 404 and I don't see any LEGO stuff at all.

    Does the cleanroom employee come with a signed NDA?

    1. beardman

      Re: Sold out?

      Yeah, it's nowhere to be found across whole online catalog on ASML shop. :(

      1. J. Cook Silver badge

        Re: Sold out?

        And apparently, the store requires you to be an ASML employee. T.T

        Cheaper prices than Cisco's swag store, though, I'll give you that much. :)

        1. Roland6 Silver badge

          Re: Sold out?

          This isn’t the first Lego kit ASML have produced: https://bricksworld.eu/gb/46-asml-building-sets

          Expect these kits to appear in memorabilia auctions in the years to come…

  6. Sceptic Tank Silver badge
    Unhappy

    You pay. We deliver.

    I hope Intel paid cash upfront for that machine. Their credit is no good.

    1. Yet Another Anonymous coward Silver badge

      Re: You pay. We deliver.

      I hope they get it delivered before tarrifs kick in

  7. Benegesserict Cumbersomberbatch Silver badge

    Making money

    ASML makes money making the machines that make nVidia and TSMC money.

    Lego makes money making models of the machines ASML makes money making that make nVidia and TSMC money.

    I have an idea for a model of a Lego-making machine...

    1. DS999 Silver badge
      Devil

      Re: Making money

      I have an idea for a model of a Lego-making machine...

      I have an idea for a model of the court where Lego's lawsuit against you will be heard...

  8. Ace2 Silver badge

    It’s going to RUIN the pirates-and-castles theme of my current office setup.

    1. John Brown (no body) Silver badge

      I was just thinking how incredibly niche this model is and then there you go, proving there's a market of at least one :-)

  9. ecarlseen

    Naturally, they had to add the following legal disclaimer just in case someone was planning on eating or injecting this, or shoving it into their rectum:

    "⚠️ WARNING: This item may contain one or more of 900 chemicals found by the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. The state of California requires this warning based on chemicals used in the manufacturing and/or decorating of some products. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov"

  10. imanidiot Silver badge

    While I hope you had fun building your set, I doubt this particular kit will have much relevance for most "non extremely nerdy techies who work for ASML". I will say the real deal is much more impressive to work on.

  11. Xalran

    Hidden Caveat....

    Shown at the bottom of the main page :

    *This site is intended for ASML employees and requires an ASML email address for purchasing.*

    1. X5-332960073452
      FAIL

      Re: Hidden Caveat....

      I don't see that restriction!

      1. Xalran

        Re: Hidden Caveat....

        go to the main page : https://asmlstore.com/

        instead of going straght to the Lego EUV set.

        It's smack in the middle, in bold, at the bottom.

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