Tackling esd problems in semiconductor manufacturing

Semiconductors or chips/ICs (integrated circuits) are the heart and soul of alldigital products. Semiconductors were required by a large number of industries, including telecommunications, information technology, industrial machinery and automation, medical electronics, automobile, engineering, power and solar photovoltaic, defence and aerospace, consumer electronics, and appliances.

Semiconductors have been a key enabler in the advancement of electronics for the past 50 years and will continue to play an even greater role with the introduction of new technologies and applications, such as internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence, 5G, smart cars, smart factories, date centres, robotics, etc.

While the Indian electronics industry is growing in leaps and boundsencouraged by government policies and international investment, it still relies heavily on imports of semiconductors. However, before a chip, such as microprocessor chip or mobile communication chip, is designed, it goes through acomplicated development process using FPGAs and similar prototype methods to perfect the design as perstated specifications. Once the prototype chips are delivered by the labs, they undergo intense laboratory testing to thoroughly check the end product in all its variety of usages.

Semiconductor companies in India all have elaborate ESD laboratories to test the chips supplied to them. And they all have to overcome the challenges and risks of ESD.

The problems caused by electrostatic charge in semiconductor design, manufacturing and testing are well known. They make it more difficult to maintain high levels of product quality and yield. It is estimated that ESD may be responsible for up to a third of manufacturing product losses.

How to control ESD during manufacturing

There are five broad areas that semiconductor and PCB manufacturers concentrate on to protect sensitive components from ESD contamination during manufacturing:

1. Establish ESD Protected Areas (EPAs) with the correct furniture, tools, equipment, etc. to minimise generation of static electricity.
2. Identify sensitive components and handle them appropriately.
3. Handle components as per documented handling procedures - only within EPAs (ESD Protected Areas) of the manufacturing floor by assembly technicians who are trained and prepared for working with these parts.
4. Reduce Electrostatic charge generation by reducing and eliminating static generating processes, keeping processes and materials at the same electrostatic potential, and by providing appropriate ground paths to reduce charge generation and accumulation.
5. Follow all possible methods to dissipate ESD - using anti-static workstations, ESD chairs, other ESD-safe furniture, flooring and floor mats, ESD-safe tools, clothing, gloves and accessories.

How Messung can help

Messung Workplace Technology offers a complete range of ESD products for EPAs in the semiconductor manufacturing and other industries. Messung Workplace Technology is one of India’s leading ESD products manufacturers. Under its 'Navonmesh - Make in India initiative', Messung offers the AFM-PLUS range of indigenously designed and manufactured ESD workplace products that offer reliable ESD protection as per IEC 61340-5-1.

Messung has its own design and manufacturing facilities with the latest international machines for aluminum and wood cutting, testing facilities, etc. Messung can provide customised solutions for industrial ESD workstations, ESD tables, ESD trolleys, ESD storage racks, drawer cabinets and cupboards. Using the latest volume ESD technology, Messung ensures all its products provide durable ESD protection as per global standards.

Messung also offers a range of ESD task chair& stools in standard and high versions. These ergonomic seating solutions come in three options: Thermoplastic PU Integral Foam, Synthetic Leather and Fabric.

About Volume ESD

Volume ESD makes the entire worktop or storage shelves conductive with dissipative lamination on both the sides of the workstation. The properties for discharging the charge are uniformly present throughout the volume of the material as compared to its presence only on the contact surface in traditional technology.

This technology guarantees lifetime fail-safe ESD properties of the product which means that the chances of ESD failure are negligible; thus helping customers to save costs in repairs, warranties and replacements of products.

Moreover, Messung's ESD workbenches, ESD Chairs and ESD storage racks are tested as per IEC 61340-5-1 safety standards, which are mandatory for all international quality Electronics manufacturing and R&D facilities.

More about Messung’s ESD chairs

Messung’s ESD task chairs and stools are specifically designed for use in electrical and electronics industry. They are proven to minimise environmental pollutants in cleanroom applications too.

Some of the tasks associated with ESD areas call for elevated seating positions or require workers to stand for long periods or to alternate between standing up and sitting down. As a result, their bodies are often subjected to a great deal of physical stress. Messung’s high ESD chairs and stools with footrests support the human body and relieve physical stress. Also called task chairs, they have pneumatic seats that adjust to an optimal working height.

As the leading ESD chairs manufacturer in Pune, Messung‘s products are in accordance with the European EN 61340-5-1 standards for conductivity. Messung’s ESD chairs with armrests and stools are builtof robust metal frames with non-conductive materials, static-free fabric and static free casters/glides, to deliver reliable ESD protection and long service life.

They also ensure ergonomic seating and support for worker productivity and comfort. The adjustable conductive backrests (for chairs) and smooth gas lift height adjustment make Messung ESD task chairs and ESD-safe industrial metal stools a must-have for the electronics industry.

Conclusion

Electrostatic attraction increases contamination of critical product and equipment surfaces causing defects and increasing maintenance costs. ESD damages semiconductorsand also produces unwanted electrical signals that interfere with the operation of production equipment. These problems occur throughout the semiconductor process, including silicon wafer manufacturing, photomask manufacturing, front-end device manufacturing, and back-endassembly, packaging and test. Many of these static problemspersist through the entire use cycle of the semiconductor device. Similar problems occur in the manufacture of disk drives,flat-panel displays, and medical electronic devices. Messung’s industrial worktables, ESD tables, ESD trolleys, ESD lab tables with drawers, ESD racks and pedestals, ESD chairs and stools are built to enhance safety, ergonomics and productivityin ESD workplaces. Manufactured under Messung’s 'Navonmesh - Make in India initiative', they are the preferred choice for customers looking for world-class, customised products at a competitive price.