Case Studies: FSI

Company:  For three decades, FSI International has been at the forefront of wafer processing technology. Since its inception, FSI's unique blend of technology innovation and cost advantages has enabled customers to efficiently achieve their goals.  The company delivers economic and technical advantages for current and emerging microelectronics manufacturing challenges to fabs around the world through its advanced wafer cleaning equipment and technology.

Product:  The MAGELLAN® Immersion Cleaning System, FSI's next generation immersion cleaning product, is designed to address the challenges of 300mm manufacturing at 100nm and below technology nodes. The innovative system offers short cycle time, versatility and high process performance in a footprint up to 40 percent smaller than the competition.

Challenge:  The FSI engineering team needed a software consulting partner with a strong background in low level software/hardware integration, automation, robotics, and motion control.  In addition, decisions had to be made regarding which higher level software platform was best suited for future development.

Solution:  FSI turned to WynEdge to provide a team of engineers to meet these needs.  After initial R&D prototyping showed a significant increase in developer productivity and improved infrastructure support, WynEdge software engineers were instrumental in FSI's decision to move all new development from a C++/COM platform to Microsoft's .Net Framework.

Our software solution included two user interface elements - one thick and one thin client.  Each provides multi-language support, access to a SQL Server database, and both are tightly coupled with event mechanisms of the underlying components.  We then developed an XML editor to more easily configure the chemical "recipes" used in each tank.  

By incorporating Microsoft .Net Remoting, the framework allows users to monitor overall processes, correct problems as they occur, and view historical data.

Key deliverables of the software developed by WynEdge include:

• Drying and cleaning the throughout materials wafers of view time

• Ability to configure system using handheld thin client device.

• Ability to monitor wafer status, locally and remotely

• Real time view of process ID diagram with indicators for status, chemical flows, valves, and wafer elevators.

• Integration of new technology with legacy components.

• Reduced overall development cost by migrating to Microsoft .Net

Result: As stated in the WynEdge mission statement, our primary job is to help clients succeed in the marketplace.  To that end, WynEdge has been a major contributor to Magellan's success in the semiconductor manufacturing market.