Tag Archives: Measurement

New Diagnostics Instrument for High Volume Semiconductor Manufacturing Environment

InnerSense Ltd., a leading global developer and manufacturer of precision auto-diagnostics instruments for the semiconductors industry, introduced a new system for eliminating handling-related yield loss in 300mm wafer process tools running high volume production.

The new system, coined SMW2, consists of a 300mm wafer instrumented with sensitive three dimensional vibration sensors, and a “Smart FOUP™” that serves as a recharge and communication station, as well as a clean storage container. The “Smart FOUP” employs contact-less recharging and data transfer that enable the system to interface with standard robotic wafer handlers and be operated with minimal interruption to the production line.

Yigal Tomer, InnerSense’s Co-CEO, commented, “The new system is based on six years of excursion control experience. Built on our successful Smart Wafer technology, it brings to the high volume production environment the monitoring ability that has enabled predictive maintenance and statistical analysis of tool condition, previously available in engineering mode only.”

In addition to 3D vibration sensing and FOUP-based, contact-less reader/recharger station, the SMW2 features advanced analytical tools that facilitate troubleshooting, SPC-based trend identification and tool-to-tool comparison. These tools allow even untrained operators to use the system effectively to enhance the availability of expensive wafer process equipment.

ABOUT “SMART WAFER” TECHNOLOGY
A semiconductor wafer is typically handled hundreds of times during its manufacturing process. Collisions and rubbing against other objects may result in edge cracks and back scratches. Uneven or abrupt lifting may cause skidding and misalignment, or even dropping the wafer inside the tool. Particles generated in mechanical contact cause contamination. In total, handling related defects are believed to cause over 30% of wafer yield loss.

Instrumented with sensitive multi-axial accelerometers, InnserSense’s Smart Wafer travels just like a production wafer through the entire path in the process tool and record the vibrations and tilting it experiences during the various handling operations. The recorded data is analyzed to pinpoint problem sources and detect mechanism deterioration to trigger predictive maintenance. By providing quantitative and statistical information on a regular basis, the Smart Wafer becomes a valuable tool for Advanced Equipment Control (AEC). The resulting enhanced yield and productivity translate to significant cost savings.

Via EPR Network
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A2 Technologies Today Announces A New Biodiesel Analysis Capability For Its PAL And Ipal FTIR Analyzer Product Line

Jon Frattaroli, CEO of A2 Technologies states, “The PAL series analyzers are acclaimed for their compact size, powerful analysis capabilities, ruggedness and user friendliness. The enhanced biodiesel capability ensures that a new market segment will benefit from this breakthrough technology.”

The PAL series analyzers, when equipped with A2’s innovative TumblIR biodiesel sample interface, are now capable of measuring biodiesel concentrations in petrodiesel from as low as 0.025%, as required in certain applications such as the nuclear power industry, up to 20% (B20). By eliminating troublesome, hard-to-fill-and-clean transmission IR flow cells, PAL systems make low concentration biodiesel analysis fast, easy and reliable. No sample preparation is required, minimal training is needed and biodiesel results are provided on-site instantaneously. PAL analyzers, pre-loaded with A2 Technologies’ highly intuitive and easy to use Biodiesel Analysis Methods and software, accurately measure low level biodiesel concentrations in just one minute including sample introduction, measurement and clean-up.

The TumblIR equipped PAL series will also accurately measure the common range of biodiesel blended fuels from B1 – B20, just as easily and quickly. This capability is important for companies that produce, receive or store biodiesel blended fuel. Companies that manufacture diesel powered generators or users that employ these generators will find PAL analyzers invaluable for ensuring proper equipment operation. These analyzers meet the requirements of the EN 14078 standard and can be configured with ATR sampling technology for those applications that are required to conform to the ASTM D 7371-07 standard.

For more information on the A2 Technologies PAL Series, please contact A2 Technologies at +1 203.312.1100, email info@a2technologies.net or visit www.a2technologies.com

About A2 Technologies
Headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut, A2 Technologies is taking FT-IR spectroscopy out of the lab and into the field. A2 Technologies manufacture and develop portable FT-IR spectrometers designed for the analytical needs of the petrochemical, environmental, metals and mining and general environments where there is a need for analysis. The portable FT-IR analyzers extend the proven capabilities of Fourier Transform infrared technology by rendering sample preparation obsolete and ensuring real time results.

Via EPR Network
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Leading Developer Of Individualized Solutions For Siphonic Roof Drainage Chooses Chicago Representative As First US Presence In The All Important Manufacturing Belt

After many successful years developing and distributing individual software solutions to plumbing manufacturers around the world, German-based Keidel Software announces a new US agent, Johannes Lenzhofer, Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Lenzhofer has a wide network of contacts, as well as years of experience representing German companies in the US.

“As a center of the manufacturing belt, Chicago is a strategic city for us” explains Rolf H. Keidel, founder of the company. “The DrainStar® Siphonic Calculator helps American roof drain and pipe manufacturers precisely calculate a planned drainage network using their own product information and relevant data. However, it also adds value to the manufacturer’s products by providing the data and drawings for construction of the drainage network that their customers can use. The manufacturer becomes a system provider that offers solutions– not just a seller of drains and pipes. This adds great value to the manufacturer’s products and brand.”

The precision of the DrainStar Siphonic Calculator software also results in cost savings of about 30% on average because the exact drainage performance of the roof runoffs is calculated. The manufacturer easily enters any product information with other key figures about the planned drainage network, and the network plan appears on the computer screen, including all the needed components. The manufacturer decides whether to create bills of material with or without prices, while the data can be converted into estimates or tender offers instantly. The network drawing can easily be transferred to CAD. All country-specific variables can also be used.

“US companies who want to take advantage of government and other incentives for ‘green’ building projects will recognize the opportunities presented by calculating siphonic drainage networks,” adds Mr. Lenzhofer. “By using a siphonic design, LEED™ points are awarded, signifying energy efficient and environmentally friendly construction practices. These points can translate into increased profitability.”

The LEED™ green building rating system encourages design and construction practices that increase profitability while reducing negative environmental impact on buildings. The environmental benefits of siphonic roof drainage are clear. Properly calculated siphonic drainage networks can result in reduced site disturbance and preparation, as well as a reduction in the use of construction materials. Pipe diameters are much smaller, the number of roof runoffs and downpipes is greatly reduced, and fewer ground lines need to be laid. These and other desired results are eligible for valuable LEED credits, and offer significant cost cutting for builders.

About Keidel Software
Keidel Software was founded in 1993 to develop and provide software solutions for the building industry around the world. Keidel Software is the market leader in Germany and has customers throughout Europe, Asia and the United States.

Contact Information Keidel US
For more information visit: http://www.keidel-software.com/us/index.php 

Via EPR Network
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High-Speed, Reliable, And Affordable Metrology Solutions For Every Class Of Thin-Film Photovoltaic Material Used In Today’s Industry

Filmetrics announces the launch of its thin-film photovoltaic (TFPV) dedicated measurement systems. With the release of the F10-PV and the F37-PV Filmetrics now offers commercially available tabletop and in-line metrology solutions for industries utilizing all classes of TFPV materials.

Typically built on or under transparent conductive oxides (TCO) on glass, plastics, or metal substrates, the properties of TFPV films are notoriously difficult to measure due to their special optical properties. Filmetrics has SOLVED this problem for all classes of films used in today’s industry.

The Filmetrics F10-PV and F37-PV products are capable of monitoring the film thickness of active layers such as amorphous Si, CdS, CdTe, copper-indium gallium diselenide (CIGS), TCOs, and buffer layers. These types of devices are intentionally designed to absorb rather than reflect light creating many unique challenges for performing metrology on these layers. Surmounting these challenges the F10-PV and the F37-PV can accurately measure the thickness and optical properties of even the most complex structures on TCOs adding unrivalled value in terms of production quality, efficiency, and cost control for TFPV device manufacturers.

Strong market demand, and working closely with our existing TFPV customer base, led Filmetrics to undergo extensive collaborative research in the past months to develop these products. The addition of non-destructive thin-film thickness metrology to the TFPV environment is expected to greatly enhance production efficiency and yields, help develop new processes, and facilitate rapid transfer these new ideas to the production floor.

With years of experience in the thin-film measurement field, Filmetrics provides a simple-to-understand user interface and unparalleled support. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, Filmetrics has a full line of thin-film measurement systems and is continually developing new products and technologies that bring greater efficiency to thin-film metrology. Filmetrics was founded in 1995 and has quickly established itself as the foremost innovator in the thin-film measurement industry. 

Via EPR Network
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