Before:

• Using manual batch systems and wanted to migrate to in-line automatic systems in order to meet volume demands.

• Plasma was falling into micro gaps in between substrates and their machines were not capable of handling this.

• Low yields due to the inefficiency of the manufacturing process.

After: 

• Custom-designed plasma cleaning process. First with a single lane single chamber machine and later migrated to an automated quad lane system, further increasing efficiency. 

• Process moved from manual to fully automated.

• No issues with micro gaps.

• Significant increase (80-90%) in output and yield.

 

The Process:

1. Evaluation and testing to prove the recipe and treatment would be effective. Lab-based testing by measuring contact angle displacement.

2. Customisation of hardware to meet the technical requirements.

3. Single lane single chamber in-line automatic system installed and process fully automated (2019).

4. Subsequently, the customer wanted to further increase output. So SCI supplied a dual-lane plasma cleaning system to boost efficiency as well as a degassing machine which automated the manual process of degassing.

5. Installed a quad-lane, dual-chamber automated plasma system, which unlocked a further level of efficiency and yield.