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May, 2016
Automated Cleaning Processes Improve Quality and Increase Volume
By Ed Sullivan
cally important to their performance. To achieve the levels of purity neces- sary for semiconductor-grade silicon chips, MEMs, biotechnology, LED panels, and photovoltaics, the mate- rials must be cleaned before being used in production. As manufactur- ers are increasingly pressured to pro- vide higher quality products in larg- er volumes, many have begun to automate the cleaning process.
T As manufacturers are
increasingly pressured to provide higher quality
products in larger volumes, many have begun to auto- mate the cleaning process.
For example, producing semi-
conductor-grade silicon for use in electronic chips involves upstream cleaning of polysilicon chunks to a purity as high as 11N, which trans- lates to 99.99 percent. For photo- voltaic applications, such as solar cells, the required silicon purity lev- els are not quite as high (5N), but must still be able to allow efficient energy transfer. These and many other products are growing more
Companies automate the cleaning process to improve high-volume production throughput.
Cleaning by Hand The cleaning process usually
incorporates some kind of chemical agent, an appropriate rinse bath and
agitated for the best results. The cleaning agents must be dispensed accurately, and the products must be transported safely. To do this manually, a person
he consistent purity of the materials used to fabricate electronic components is criti-
dependent on the repeatability of automated cleaning systems.
a method of drying the material. Chemicals may need to be heated or
has to perform these tasks in the right order and with a high level of preci- sion. An operator in the cleaning process may use a production system, such as a wet processing bench, to organize the materials and to be effi- cient. Also, some cleaning processes require etching with harsh chemicals, which can be dangerous to workers. Louise Bertagnolli, president of
JST Manufacturing says that many companies choose to automate their cleaning processes for a few reasons. One reason is that the cleaning process becomes repeatable. This includes the exact measurement and dispensing of the cleaning agents and rinsing solutions, as well as pro- viding the systems and tools neces- sary to transport the items from one bath to another. Automating the process ensures that it will be the same each time, and eliminates the danger to humans. Another reason is that automation allows companies to achieve greater throughput in high- volume production. If the process takes place in a clean room, then the entire system, including motors and robotics, can be customized for that environment.
Successful Automation Customized cleaning systems
can pay high dividends, but it is a Continued on next page
See at SMT Hybrid Packaging, Booth 6-413
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