Monthly Archives: March 2016

How Quartz Baths Are Used in a Manufacturing Process

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How Quartz Baths Are Used in a Manufacturing ProcessThe manufacture of semiconductor components requires the cleaning, stripping and etching of semiconductor wafers using corrosive chemicals in a tightly controlled environment. Two important factors for achieving improved yields of functional components are keeping the bath free from contaminants and accurately controlling the temperature. High quality quartz baths fulfill these requirements with a tank material that is impervious to the chemicals used in the baths and that facilitates fast even heating by conducting heat efficiently. A well-designed quartz bath is the most effective solution for processing semiconductor wafers in chemicals such as sulfuric or hydrochloric acids, even at elevated temperatures.

Important Characteristics of Quartz Baths

To process semiconductor wafers effectively, quartz baths must be well designed and be made of quality materials. To avoid introducing unwanted impurities into the process the bath must be made of quartz of the highest purity. It must be available in a variety of sizes and heat up rapidly, featuring tight temperature control. Operation must be safe and reliable, ideally based on extensive experience in the design and supply of these products.

Modutek Recirculating Quartz Baths

The Modutek Series QFa quartz baths are high temperature recirculating units manufactured to the highest quality standards. Modutek has over thirty years experience in designing quartz baths and the company uses the expertise acquired with this evolution to offer the best in the industry. Key qualities resulting from this evolutionary process are safety, reliability and low cost of ownership.

For its recirculating quartz baths, Modutek uses semiconductor grade flame polished quartz to keep potential contamination to a minimum. The baths feature fast, even heating and a seamless, sloped flanged design that helps ensure safe operation. Temperatures in the range of 30 to 180 degrees C. can be controlled to plus/minus 1 degree C. and the heat-up rate can be up to 2 degrees C. per minute. Bath sizes range from 7.75 x 7.75 x 9 inches to 21.50 x 11.50 x 10.50 and 17.87 x 10.75 x 14.50 inches while custom sizes are available as well.

Modutek Constant Temperature Quartz Baths

With many of the same quality and operating features as the QFa models, the quartz baths of Modutek Qa series meet the same goals of high safety and reliability combined with a low cost. The process vessel is made of internally flame polished virgin fused quartz, boron-free, and the baths have the same accurate temperature control of 1 degree C. with a heat-up rate of 2 degrees C. per minute. Options include a magnetic stirrer, a quartz bubbler and remote operation timer switches and available sizes are similar to those for the recirculating baths. Modutek quartz baths can be used with confidence to improve semiconductor processing performance.

If you need help selecting quartz baths to use with your manufacturing process, contact Modutek at 866-803-1533 or email [email protected].

Modutek’s Wet Bench Design Process

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Modutek's Wet Bench Design ProcessIn an effort to meet the highest customer expectations, Modutek has developed a wet bench design process that emphasizes collaboration with customers and dedicates the full resources of the company to identifying and satisfying customer requirements. Key features of the process are an emphasis on quality, an orientation toward partnering with the customer, a project-based account management structure and the use of the latest design tools. With this approach to wet bench equipment design, Modutek intends to ensure that the company meets the highest levels of customer satisfaction.

Design Goals

While meeting and exceeding customer expectations is the overall goal, Modutek emphasizes wet bench process results as well. A high-quality wet bench must be designed for high throughput with a long service life and a low level of downtime. High product quality requires a high level of extremely precise control. Based on these essential features, Modutek starts a conversation with the customer to identify his particular needs.

Partnership Design Program

To begin with the process, Modutek technical personnel gather all the details of their customer’s application. Specifications, data, descriptions and parameters are collected to allow Modutek to understand the customer’s business. The company can then develop the criteria for a successful design together with the customer. The business needs for wet benches, wet process tools, chemical delivery systems or custom semiconductor equipment are explored in detail. At the end of this process the requirements for a successful design are clear.

Design Tools

Once the design requirements have been identified together with the customer, Modutek uses advanced tools to help with design and modeling. Three dimensional design tools ensure precision and the accuracy of the models. Such 3-D designs are created for all wet process and chemical delivery systems, to show the positions of all components and to form the basis for a detailed design review. Once approved, the same material is used to create complete documentation, including post installation maintenance manuals. Using a single set of designs to generate all the documentation ensures that performance is always consistent, even when many units are produced.

Project Management

To execute the production as specified in the designs, Modutek focuses on managing accounts as projects. For each order, the company assigns a dedicated project manager to lead the work. He coordinates with the customer to make sure the design, engineering, manufacturing and integration remain on track. Delivery and installation at the end of the project are handled the same way. The project manager is responsible for ensuring basic technical requirements are met and the customer’s input is respected, leading to a high quality design that meets the customer’s needs.

Factors for a Successful Design Process

Four factors allow Modutek to offer a collaborative design process that gives superior results. First, the company has the experience and broad line of wet bench equipment to respond to a wide variety of customer requirements. Secondly, the company designs and builds all process, etching or cleaning components of its wafer fabrication equipment in house. Thirdly, all automation design is carried out in house, with Modutek engineers designing and writing the software. Lastly, Modutek’s SolidWorks Simulation Professional and SolidWorks Flow Simulation tools help design the system to get the end results specified. All of these factors must be in place for the successful implementation of the type of design process offered by Modutek, and the company works hard to ensure these prerequisites are retained in order to deliver the superior customer-centric service they make possible.

If you need wet bench equipment designed and built for your specific process requirements, contact Modutek at 866-803-1533 or email [email protected].