Ask any process engineer and they’ll tell you a wet bench is for wet etching. Engineers use the benches for any chemical etching and handling of materials.
There are three types of benches: manual, semi-automated, and fully-automated benches. All offer a solid degree of precision and are customizable. Read on to learn the benefits of each type.
Industry Use for Wet Bench Stations
Wet bench technology is integral to manufacturing medical components and semiconductors. It’s also crucial to computer hardware, solar cells, and many more applications. Manufacturing integrated circuits also require wet bench stations.
Etching is a precise process. You must maintain that precision. This especially applies to cleaning the wafers and other related devices.
Manual Wet Benches
Manual wet benches support two kinds of applications, solvent and acid. They contain the same process and safety features of the automated wet benches. They come without the added cost of the robotics.
Manual wet benches have other benefits over semi-automated and fully-automated benches. One benefit is competitive pricing. The other is low cost of operation.
The manufacturer customizes the design to your specifications. They’ll configure the wet bench to match your process requirements while maintaining safety standards.
Semi-Automated Wet Benches
Semi-automated wet benches allow you to have the same uniformity as fully-automated benches. The difference is they come without the higher price of the fully-automated bench.
The robots that accompany the semi-automatic wet bench are servo-controlled. They offer three degrees of freedom, increasing the efficiency of wafer fabrications, enabling precise developing processes, and ensuring precision when it comes to etching and developing. This efficiency also applies to cleaning and plating.
Users control the benches using graphical-interface software with a touch screen. This simulation software and touch screen create efficient process flows and easy operation.
Fully-Automated Wet Benches
Fully-automated benches use the latest design technology to improve process times and yields.
Fully-automated means that humans are out of the equation. This also means eliminating human error. Automation lessens waste. It also neutralizes chemical discharge.
Automation ensures that chemical doses are correct every time for each application. The software controls all processes with precision.
The process engineer is better able to follow environmental and safety regulations. These processes remain consistent and are repeatable.
Automation software helps to improve etch rates and quality, eliminating mistakes and resulting in an accurate chemical dosage.
As with the manual and semi-automated stations, fully-automated wet benches are configurable. The features vary according to your processing, etching or cleaning applications.
Considering Upgrading Your Wet Benches?
Are you thinking of upgrading your wet bench stations? If so, you have more options beyond the three types of benches.
Each type of wet bench offers several levels of customization. Work with the manufacturer to design a station for your specific needs.
Most manufacturers carry manual wet benches, semi-automated, and fully-automated benches. Many also offer proprietary simulation software.
If you have questions about upgrading your wet bench stations, please contact us.
Established in 1994, Superior Automation provides cutting-edge automation solutions for customers around the globe, ensuring quality control and meeting industry safety and compliance standards.