A very important aspect of cost of ownership (COO) of tools that include spin coaters and developers (often referred to a photoresist track tools) in the back end of line (BEOL), MEMS, and patterned sapphire substrate (PSS) processing-type processing lines is one that does not appear on the COO software packages. Often referred to as [...]
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On Data…Innovation…and Nature
In our first post, we made the following point about companies that are not the huge Foundries; “such companies will use their own creativity and drive to gain a market advantage owing to their expertise in both designing and building their chips. Such companies will need to find ways to lower their manufacturing costs by [...]
Why Back End of Line (BEOL) Photoresist “Track” Tools are and must be Different from Front End of Line (FEOL) Photoresist Processors
In earlier writings we have discussed cost of ownership issues (COO) related to photoresist processing tools. In this entry, we will discuss the important functional differences between tools generally intended for the FEOL, and those more adaptable to the needs of BEOL wafer fabrication. As the semiconductor industry has packed more and more functionality and [...]
The Argument for New Vs Refurbished Used Photoresist Process Equipment
In an earlier BLOG we discussed “Lowering the Cost of Ownership (COO) of Spin Process Tools.” we did not discuss the fact that the customer does have an option to purchase a used, “used and refurbished” or “as is” version of a tool built at some point in the past as another means of lowering [...]
Lowering the Cost of Ownership (COO) of Spin Process Tools
In our last BLOG we discussed the need to lower the COO of the tools of production for those who are both designing and building their chips. The issue that we attempt to address here is how does one make that happen and at the same time improve functionality permitting the customer to do things [...]
The Outlook for the Semiconductor Industry
Does the word “commodity” come to mind; how about the word “innovation?” OK, now try “risk.” The question of the outlook for semiconductor production worldwide is a mixture of the feelings and fears, thoughts and challenges associated with the relationship between those three words, Commodity, Innovation and Risk… Now look at the Global Semiconductor Industry [...]
