Semiconductor device fabrication can be a complex process. Often, it can take as many as eight weeks to complete a manufacturing cycle. During this process it’s critical to use wet bench stations that are built with high quality components that work reliably. This is needed to ensure that every manufacturing process involved complies with important industry standards.
How do you choose the right wet bench manufacturer and station to ensure that all your process requirements are met? There are a few areas that you need to consider:
Confirm the Wet Bench Station That Directly Meets Your Needs
A wet bench needs to address all your requirements.
- Do you need full automation, semi automation or manual control? Fully automated stations use robotics for all the process steps and are typically used to optimize through put on well developed process. Semi automated stations use robotics for some process steps with some operator interaction. Manual wet bench stations are least expensive option and are often used when developing a new process that requires a manual interaction and does not use any robotics for automation.
- The use of compatible materials is important. You need to consider what kind of processes engineers will use the wet bench for, and confirm the kind of fire-resistant plastics that must be used.
- Consider the types of chemicals that will be used in the wet bench. Will corrosive chemical solvents be used? If solvents such as Acetone, NMP or Photo Resist Striping will be used a stainless steel solvent station will be need that uses corrosion-resistant material and provides fire suppression features.
- The wet bench manufacturer should supply equipment that is in compliance with all fire safety and electrical safety codes.
If it’s difficult to find a ready-designed wet bench unit that needs all these needs, you should consider contacting the manufacturer for a custom solution.
Choose a Turnkey Solution
A wet bench manufacturer should be a one-stop outlet that has an extensive product line. They should offer complete, fully integrated systems. A complete turnkey solution is what you should choose. You should order your semiconductor wet process equipment from a vendor who not only provides you with the wet bench that you need, but also includes full installation, after sales service, technical support, and warranty support. If the unit is capable of accepting improvements and updates down the line, such improvements should be offered by the vendor, as well.
Look at Reputation and Longevity
Look for a vendor who comes with a good reputation for product quality and customer service and has been in business for awhile. Wet bench equipment is a long-term purchase. It can be beneficial to maintain a relationship with the supplier, for help with installation, repairs and updates along the way. It is also important to choose a well-established supplier. A wet bench manufacturer who has been business for decades is likely to stay in business and honor the warranty support offered.
Choose Modutek for Your Wet Bench Needs
Modutek has been the leading supplier of wet bench and wet processing equipment for over 38 years. During this time, the company has become one of the leaders and innovators in the business. Modutek does more than supply standardized wet bench equipment. The company offers clients the ability to customize and configure their equipment as they need it. Modutek’s design engineers work closely with clients to meet specific requirements.
Modutek designs all its equipment and software in-house, and, for this reason, is far more capable of offering perfectly customized solutions, when compared to other manufacturers who outsource much of their design and software.
Modutek Offers a Wide Range of Options
Semiconductor fabrication is complex process. Clients are usually not able to accept one-size-fits-all solutions. It is for this reason that Modutek offers a number of options.
Fully automated wet benches: These appliances offer wafer fabrication, using the company’s own SolidWorks Simulation Professional software. The system is known to improve production times, with high throughput for better yields.
Semi-automated wet benches: Semi-automation offers greater precision than manual control, but is more affordable than full-automation. A servo-activated robot offers three levels of automation. Just as with fully automated wet benches, the semi-automated ones come with deep software control.
Manual wet benches: These appliances offer all the features of the automated and semi-automated ranges, except that they do not use robotics. Equipment of this kind can be affordable, and it is expandable, as well.
Modutek’s wet benches offer dry-to-dry processing. They allow drying without the need to use separate appliances. It speeds up wafer processing, and allows for higher yields.
Modutek is one of the best-known names in the wet processing industry. All of Modutek’s products are designed and assembled at the company’s facilities in San Jose. With its year-long guarantee on all its products, and a name that has set high standards for quality and reliability. Modutek is a premier semiconductor wet bench manufacturer and wet process equipment supplier that you can trust. Call 866-803-1533 for a free consultation to discuss your specific process requirements.
Reviewed and Approved by Douglas Wagner
President & CEO, Modutek Corporation
