A wet bench is an invaluable tool for process engineers and chemists.
You can use wet benches for wet etching, a process to keep your wafers and devices clean. They’re different from litho benches, which are for resist processing.
However, if you’re looking for a wet bench, what do you need to keep in mind? Is it enough to go with the first recommendation you find? Different wet benches fulfill different needs.
Keep reading to find out how a turnkey system can address all of your wet bench needs.
1. Determine What You Need Your Wet Bench to Do
There are three kinds of wet benches: fully-automated, semi-automated, and manual. Fully-automated and semi-automated wet benches are customizable, except, you won’t have as much control over it as you will with a manual wet bench. Talk to your wet bench manufacturer about which model works best for your situation.
You also need to think about what kind of contact your chemists or engineers will have with the machine. Doing this will help you figure out what fire-safe plastics you need. It can also determine what kind of fume hood is necessary.
Keep in mind where you’ll keep your wet bench. How often will you use the wet bench? Plus, will it pass by a lot of foot traffic?
If your wet bench has contact with harsh chemicals or construction, it will need to be very durable.
2. Get a High-Quality Piece of Machinery
It goes without saying that you want the best machine available. Wet benches with high-quality parts will work better and break down less often. It’s also to your benefit to keep everything be up to date, such as your controls and internal technology.
Additionally, your wet bench must adhere to FMRC codes. Look for equipment that meets FM4910 and UL2360 standards.
Make no mistake: wet benches are powerful machines, thus, you need to handle them with extreme care. One way to make sure your workspace is safe is to buy a chemical fume hood. It won’t eliminate all hazardous chemicals, but it will help.
3. Consider Your Budget
Wet benches are one of those products where you get what you pay for. While it’s important that you purchase the best machine you can, you should also have it built into your budget, taking into consideration all of the necessary features. For example, it’s estimated that the plastic sheet should be approximately 15 to 30 percent of the cost of the wet bench.
Buying many wet benches can be more cost-effective than purchasing just one. That’s because you can get a discount on bulk designs from most manufacturers.
Furthermore, with large machinery such as a wet bench, who you buy from is almost as important as what you buy. If the machine breaks or a piece doesn’t work, you’ll need to find a vendor who has great customer service and is capable of solving your issues quickly. It’s important to factor this into your budget allocations as well.
Looking for a Wet Bench?
If you’re looking for a wet bench or want to refurbish your existing equipment, then check out our services.
We work with you to make sure your machinery is the best it can be and up to code. Our skilled engineering team has more than 30 years of industry experience. Let us help you with your wet bench requirements today.
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.