Case Study: NXP Semiconductors reduces wafer scrap with Valin's Pneumatic Manifold Retrofit Kits

Semifab reduces wafer scrap with Valin's 150-million-cycle pneumatic manifold retrofit kits

A semiconductor manufacturer, Semifab, faced significant challenges maintaining obsolete pneumatic manifolds in its equipment. The process required technicians to work in confined spaces, used valves that were no longer manufactured, and necessitated shutting off the entire manifold's air supply to replace a single valve, which risked creating costly wafer scrap. They approached Valin Corporation for a viable solution.

Valin implemented its Pneumatic Manifold Retrofit Kits, which feature individual shut-off blocks allowing valves to be serviced one at a time without affecting adjacent process chambers. This solution from Valin drastically reduced potential wafer scrap during maintenance. The upgrade also provided higher reliability valves rated for 150 million cycles, preventing tool downtime and eliminating costly scrap, where 100 scrapped wafers can be worth over $1 million.

Semifab (Semiconductor Manufacturer Using Pneumatic Manifolds)