As many people become more environmentally conscious, it is important to understand the manufacturing process behind semiconductors. The majority of companies use chemical solvents during the process, which requires special handling and is not environmentally friendly. In contrast Modutek provides equipment that uses a method that is not only more cost effective but is also environmentally friendly. This method is the Ozone cleaning (stripping) process.
There are three distinct advantages to the Ozone cleaning process:
- Is cleaner than using a chemical cleaning processes.
- Is more cost effective.
- Is safer.
How the Ozone Cleaning Process Works
Most semiconductor manufacturers use chemicals in their process. While these chemicals serve their purpose, it also means that the solvents introduce another element to the process that makes it both more complex and less environmentally friendly. The chemicals must be processed in a way so that they are disposed of properly according to environmental regulations.
Modutek designed the ozone cleaning (stripping) process to both reduce the contamination inherent with the process as well as the cost. Without using chemicals, there is considerably less to cleanup during the manufacturing process. The equipment is specifically designed to reduce or eliminate the need for solvents.
One of the reasons it is more efficient and cleaner than the chemical process is that it works at ambient (room temperature) or below. By eliminating the need for chemicals like solvent base strippers or sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide, the Ozone cleaning process or stripping process gets the same results without needing to change the temperature of the components.
Of course, every company has its own process, and some of them require the use of at least a few solvents. In these cases, Modutek’s equipment can eliminate the use of solvents required.
Why It’s Safer
The more chemicals a process requires, the more solvent there is at the end, and the more potentially hazardous that solvent is. They must be contained and properly handled based on environmental regulations, and special training is required for those who have to handle it. There is an increased risk of spills and other risks as well.
Also, the more chemicals a company uses, the more exposure employees and customers have to those chemicals because they cannot be completely removed from the final product. There are inherent risks with any chemical a person is exposed to, no matter how small. The Ozone cleaning process (stripping process) completely eliminates the use solvents.
It’s Cost Effective
One of the biggest benefits of the process is that it is considerably more cost effective than the traditional methods. Companies do not need to invest in nearly as many chemicals to complete the process, which also means that the process will not be delayed if the supplies do not arrive when they are expected. That also means less inventory cost.
At the other end of the process, there is less to cleanup once the process is complete. Special containers for handling the solvents will not be required, and there is less hazardous waste that would need to be disposed.
While the process does require its own training, it does not have nearly as many safety risks that will require mandatory annual training to ensure safety guidelines are followed. With less personal protective gear, the Ozone cleaning process is simply more cost effective in nearly every way.
Conclusion
Traditional cleaning processes require chemical solvents, which increases the risks and the costs. It takes longer to process and dispose the required solvents, and the final product is not as clean as a product that has been through the Ozone cleaning process. In addition this alternative cleaning process is more cost effective and environmentally friendly. If you’re interested in using Modutek’s Ozone cleaning (stripping) process at your manufacturing facility contact them at 866-803-1533 for a free quote or email [email protected].
