Category Archives: Wet Bench Manufacturer

Why You Need a Wet Bench Manufacturer with In-House Expertise

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As semiconductor manufacturing becomes more complex, there is an increasing demand for custom solutions to special applications. Standard systems often can’t take into account the combination of multiple steps required to produce an etched silicon wafer. Instead they end up creating inefficiencies with poor quality output. Custom solutions can consider each separate requirement and can assemble a production line in which each step is optimized for peak performance. Wet bench manufacturers best situated to satisfy the need for customization are those with in house expertise and those that manufacture the bulk of their equipment themselves.

In House Expertise Leads to Optimized Custom Designs

When a company has extensive experience as a wet bench manufacturer, it can evaluate special application requirements, identify key features that will be needed and use its expertise to design the corresponding equipment. The etching and cleaning processes to be used, the concentrations of chemicals, the timing of steps and the use of automation all impact the design of individual elements and of the complete production line. Companies that have designed many such systems will immediately know what design parameters are appropriate and proceed to the details of the customization.

A company has typically acquired its in house expertise by designing many different systems and gaining experience with the features included in each one. The design experience and data gained from testing and from customer feedback allow the company to design an optimized system without going through a trial and error phase. The result is a design based on real wet process results and one that can be built and put into operation without extensive corrections and modifications.

Custom Manufacturing Requires In-House Capabilities

Once a custom design is in place, the corresponding equipment has to be built. The complete customization process is extremely efficient when design and manufacturing take place within the same company. The supplier with in-house expertise in both design and manufacturing of wet bench equipment can use manufacturing experience to produce a low cost and easily constructed design. The company can then build the equipment to perform exactly as needed.

In house manufacturing means the company has experience with materials, knows the limitations of manufacturing processes and is aware of the capabilities of tools and equipment. Based on experience with equipment that has gone into production, a company with in house design and manufacturing expertise can offer custom solutions that really work.

In House Design and Manufacturing Leads to Effective Customer Support

Wet bench manufacturers that design and build their own equipment can provide customer support and service that quickly answers questions and solves problems. Engineers and technicians that have worked on the equipment and are familiar with it won’t have to check with third party suppliers and will be able to propose effective solutions. Companies with such in-house expertise can not only prioritize excellent customer support but can also deliver concrete results.

Modutek Has In House Design and Production Expertise

Modutek’s personnel design and build all their own equipment including design and programming of automation software. The company’s in house expertise and production know-how includes design, assembly and testing of all wet bench equipment supporting both acid and solvent applications. While the company has a complete line of standard equipment and systems, it’s in house capabilities allow it to offer customized solutions for any special applications.

Modutek has technicians and engineers familiar with electrical schematics, plumbing diagrams and software documentation. Company programmers write the automation software for semi-automatic and fully automated wet bench stations. Modutek’s in house expertise allows the company to provide the best possible designs, equipment and customer support.

Selecting a Wet Bench Manufacturer That Meets Your Process Requirements

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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