Tips on Selecting the Right Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment

When facility managers or engineers purchase semiconductor manufacturing equipment they need to make sure that the equipment chosen meets all the requirements for the application, and maintains a reliable manufacturing process. Because of this, it is important to work with companies and suppliers that offer the best customer service, upgradeable equipment, and product lines that encompass a full line of options. The list below will help those who need to sort through these items and choose the right equipment according to their needs.

• Instructions for the equipment are vital. Confirm thata comprehensive user manual is included. In order to make sure theperformance of the equipment is high quality, extensive documentation isnecessary. Included in the documentation for this complex equipment shouldbe details such as schematics and what replacement parts may be needed.Following instructions will not only increase effectiveness, but also thelongevity of the equipment, giving you a better return on your investment.
• Look for a company that offers a variety of options.Because each company has its own needs, a manufacturing company thatoffers many options will best serve all applications. For instance,Modutek's equipment includes support for plating, silicon etching, precisioncleaning, photo-resist strip, and ozone process for cleaning. Modutek’sequipment is also used to manufacture flat panel displays, and MEMS(microelectromechanical systems).  
• Up-to-date technology is important in today's world. Asnew advances are made, Modutek keeps customers informed and adds suitablemodifications to its equipment.
• Be safety-conscious, and look for a company that isalso safety-conscious. See that there is a clear explanation ofrequirements for safe and effective operation when you purchase anysemiconductor equipment.
• Ask about on-site repair. Since the equipment is largeand complex – and essential to the manufacturing process – it is good todeal with a company that is willing to do repairs at the purchasingcompany's location when necessary.
• Know what is included in the company's array ofproducts. Modutek has a variety of products to work with many differentapplications, including equipment for wet processing, chemicals stations,components for processing, and equipment for handling and cleaning.
• Check for a warranty and technical support. Both areimportant to keep the equipment functioning properly. A warranty will helpin case of equipment malfunction.
• Custom fabrication can be exactly what a company needsfor its applications. Whatever equipment is needed, the company can speakto the technical staff at Modutek and give the specifications needed toachieve its purpose. Our design team will do their best to design a pieceof equipment to meet those needs.
• Comprehension of equipment specifications will ensurethat the correct equipment is purchased for the job. It helps to work withexperts and engineers who you understand the products before purchasingsemiconductor manufacturing equipment.

Take advantage of the specialized knowledge and experience of a company that has been manufacturing equipment for an extended time. Modutek has been designing and manufacturing semiconductor manufacturing equipment for over 30 years and is ready to provide the needed equipment to meet your specific requirements.

Discover More about The Acid Neutralization Systems from Modutek Corporation

Modutek designs and manufactures a complete line of Acid Neutralization Systems. These include Continuous flow as well as Batch sequence reactor systems and are self-contained for treating industrial waste. Modutek designs these systems so they can easily be installed and operated. They are also compact and relatively inexpensive.

So what does an acid neutralization system do? It adjusts the pH level of process streams to a defined discharge range that is acceptable. Industrial applications will usually adjust the pH balance to a neutral pH range of 6 to 9 before they discharge water into public sewer system. Continuous flow Neutralization systems are appropriate for relatively high flows with mild alkaline or acidic (e.g., 2.0 < pH < 12.0) waste water.

Continuous flow systems are generally smaller and cost less when compared to Batch systems. However, they may also be more limited. Batch systems are used more for difficult and demanding industrial applications. This would include those with inconstant or constantly changing pH balance flows. It may also include treating flows that are determined to be highly acidic or alkaline waste water. In these cases a Batch system would be the best choice since it only discharges when the treated effluent meets specific discharge criteria.

Modutek's Acid Neutralization System products can also be modified to suit the specific dimensional requirements of nearly any working environment. Modutek also customizes the system's throughput capacity to match the size of the clients' production facilities.

Continuous flow Neutralization systems are best suited to specific applications that include:
1. Influent chemistry that is relatively fixed and does not have largely varying  incoming pH or chemistry
2. Influent flow that is also relatively constant and is not typified by large flow surges
3. Used as a single stage as part of a more complex application (such as fluoride or heavy metal reduction)
4. Effluent pH limit is not highly constrained (range of <2.0 pH units).

Continuous Flow Neutralization Systems
Modutek's Continuous flow Acid Neutralization Systems come in either two or three stages. Apart from being a self-contained product, it can also be installed indoors or outdoors. It has a final chamber for sampling and recording the pH discharge. It is also available either with a single or double containment, and provides a fully automatic operation to discharge within predefined limits. It is available in many sizes that range from 5 to 500 gpm.

Other features of this system:

1. Fully automatic operation that allows it to treat both acidic and alkaline waste waters in an automatic operation.

2. Designed as either a two or three stage system. The two stage systems are used for normal applications, while three stage systems are able to handle more demanding conditions.

3. Unitized construction including 5 to 100 gpm systems, that use steel-reinforced 1/2 thick thermo welded polypropylene. The larger sized designs have skid mounted process tanks made in polyethylene, fiberglass or lined steel.

4. Microprocessor based pH control. This ensures high accuracy, reliability and ease of calibration. It also includes a digital chart recorder which is used for digital monitoring and recording of pH discharge.

5. System Alarms

• Both low and high pH alarms in the final chamber
• Remote Ethernet access that is connected into relays in the control panel
• Double containment that contains a liquid sensor
• Low level reagent (testing agent) storage tanks

6. The electrical requirements are controlled to 115 volts (VAC), while mixers and pumps can be 115, 230 or 460 VAC.

Batch Sequence Reactor Systems
Modutek also manufactures Batch Sequence Reactor Systems to provide effective treatment of waste water that may contain several heavy metals such as copper, zinc, lead, and nickel. It also treats waste streams that contain fluorides, metal anions, and complex or chelated metals.

The Batch Sequence Reactor Systems can effectively address the following:

1. Precipitation and Flocculation effectively removes common heavy metals such as copper, lead, nickel, and zinc.
2. It also chemically reduces metal anions such as chromium and arsenic.
3. Calcium or magnesium effectively removes fluorides.
4. Ion Exchange resins or Flocculation removes trace metals.

High reliability and programmed automation are what Modutek’s Batch Sequence Reactor Systems provide. This includes the following features:

1. Programmed pH adjustment and chlorination to dispose of bacteria.
2. Programmed Reaction Sequences – Using multiple reagents such as polymer flocculent may be fed, to help the growth of precipitate particles.
3. Built-in Holding Tank - This is where waste water is collected and stored. The tank automatically processes the waste water when sufficient volume is collected.
4. Double containment - It features a triple-welded polypro outer shell including leak detection.
5. System alarms will sound to alert high and low pH, low regeant levels, and any leakage found in the double containment system. Specific ion measurements are available with Final Monitor and alarms.

For more information about any of the system specifications for the acid neutralization systems, visit our website. If you need more information about choosing the right acid neutralization system for your specific application or if you would like us to provide a quote, call Modutek Corporation at 866-803-1533.