Empowering Machines with Intelligent Control & Robust Communication

At the back end of the IC manufacturing process, semiconductor handlers are used to sort products into different types of packages. The handlers have to perform sorting, picking, and placing, so their stability, precision, and reliability are crucial and as technology evolves, systems have to be upgraded accordingly to improve performance. 

Probe stations test wafer dies, with miniaturization increasing the need for advanced DAQ tools. DAQNavi software speeds up station development, while Advantech's DAQ solution, featuring three PCIE cards, enables detailed, fast inspections. This tech leads to more affordable creation of equipment suited for high-density die analysis. 

The semiconductor manufacturing process is extremely sensitive to vibrations, whether they originate internally from sources like foot traffic, fans, and pumps, or externally from factors such as nearby traffic, construction activities, or seismic events like earthquakes. Even minor vibrations can significantly disrupt production yield due to the precision required in manufacturing.  

Location: Japan
Automated optical inspection (AOI) technology is widely used in the precision manufacturing of electronics such as flat-panel displays, semiconductors, and printed circuit boards (PCBs). These products involve thousands of densely crowded joints and micro components that must be precisely installed. However, with technology becoming smaller and more complex, manual visual inspections are no longer adequate for quality control.  

In the manufacturing industry, quality control inspections are crucial for ensuring consistent high-quality products. Traditionally, quality control inspections had to be conducted manually, increasing the potential for errors due to human factors such as fatigue and attention lapses. However, in recent years, machine vision technology has been increasingly deployed for conducting automated inspections. This is because machine vision not only increases the efficiency of quality control, but also reduces the risk of error and manpower-related operating costs for enhanced productivity. 

The semiconductor industry relies on specialized machinery for various processes, with production lines forming integrated systems for electronics and optics sectors. Equipment manufacturers face challenges from global supply chain disruptions, as they depend on specific commodities. Supply shortages can lead to consumer components failing to meet the high standards required by buyers of costly machines, potentially increasing returns and RMA support demands for manufacturers.   

High precision equipment in the semiconductor industry is very expensive. Trends in the industry indicate strong demand for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, abnormality detection, and fast reconfiguration. Digital transformation holds the key to meeting these challenges. It enables measurable improvements in the overall efficiency of equipment, reduces unnecessary purchases, lowers maintenance costs, and increases the effective utilization rate of existing equipment.