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--- tool_retrofit [2024/02/02 09:52]
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+++ tool_retrofit [2024/02/02 10:31] (current)
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-==== Gaining Productivity using TransSECS Automation ====
+==== Saving Capital Costs and Enhancing Data with TransSECS Retrofits and Data Mesh ====
+{{ :pasted:20240202-103034.png?200}}
+=== How one fab saved the $2.5+M cost of a new tool with an ErgoTech Retrofit===
-=== How one fab increased stepper throughput by 15%. ===
+ErgoTech is the champion of retrofits.  With unmatched software and hardware solutions and the skill and personnel to reverse-engineer protocols and systems.  And we've been around long enough that some of the components you consider obsolete we recommended as state of the art back in the day - experience matters. [[https://ergotech.com/contact?edit[cid]=6&edit[subject]=Semiconductor Automation"|Please contact us]] to ask how we can save you money and enhance your data collection with retrofits.
-[[https://ergotech.com/contact?edit[cid]=6&edit[subject]=Semiconductor Automation"|Please contact us]] to ask how we can help you save costs with decreased scrap and rework and increase productivity
-{{ :pasted:20240202-095147.png?400|}}
-At ErgoTech we have extensive experience in tool automation. We've been providing SECS/GEM and automation solutions to fabs and equipment builders for 20+ years. Over that time we've refined our tools increasing the capability while making them simple to use. You can focus on solving problems rather than struggling with archaic tools.
+==== Tools and Skills ====
-We've provided fab automation for all types of fab tools. It's easy to use TransSECS "characterize" the tool to give you all the GEM IDs, then just drag-and-drop connections to [[transsecs|IOT, Cloud, databases, MES, factory automation or other systems]].  Many application can be completed with that and simple in-application scripting, or you can use the [[programmatic|programming language of your choice]].
+Every retrofit presents unique challenges.  In the case above we implemented the custom serial protocol after reverse engineering, running this on a small IOT system (Raspberry PI) to support replacement of obsolete hardware.  Apart from our great team, what allows us to complete these projects more easily and cost-effectively is a toolset that's been created over the last 20+ years that has the flexibility and capability to provide all the common needs, such as user-interface and connectivity (including SECS/GEM) leaving us to focus on what's unique about your project.
-{{ :pasted:20210403-104129.png?400|Drag-and-Drop Reports}}
+==== Background and Experience ====
+{{ :pasted:20240202-095147.png?200|}}
+At ErgoTech we have extensive experience in tool automation. We've been providing SECS/GEM and automation solutions to fabs and equipment builders for 20+ years. Over that time we've refined our tools increasing the capability while making them simple to use. You can focus on solving problems and delivering data and automation rather than struggling with archaic tools.
-{{:pasted:20210403-103954.png?400|Easy Online Tool Characterization }}
+These tools let us quickly add SECS/GEM and user interfaces to retrofit applications.  We can also "snoop" SECS/GEM connection mixing data from the fab<->tool CIM connection with data collected using sensors, PLCs, or other I/O.  There's a reason we're working with the DOE on a $1.2M contract to collect data from the (sometimes quite aging) systems that are part of the 1.5 mile LANSCE accelerator at Los Alamos National Lab.
+==== Tool Automation - Another Solution from ErgoTech ====
-{{https://ergotech.com/img/Avnet.png?50|Industrial Raspberry Pi }}You can quickly test and enhance the application within the TransSECS editor before deploying to the Cloud, Server, PC or IOT device (including the popular Raspberry Pi and industrial versions of that platform).
+ErgoTech provides solution in many areas of semiconductor.  The incredible flexibility of TransSECS, supporting Windows, IOT, Edge and Cloud deployment as well as all the connectivity solutions required to make that work, REST, MQTT, AWS IOT Core, OPC and connectivity to a range of devices, including all major brands of PLC makes it a great choice for almost any SECS/GEM development
-Photo tools offer a special challenge.  These tools are both critical and complex, with feedforward requirements from tracks and feedback from metrology.
-==== Canon Steppers ====
-At ErgoTech we're highly experienced experts in all areas of fab automation. Whether you want to use our tools to build your automation, need a little help, or a whole turn-key installation we're here for you.
+It's easy to use TransSECS to "characterize" the tool to give you all the GEM IDs, then just drag-and-drop connections to [[transsecs|IOT, Cloud, databases, MES, factory automation or other systems]].  Many application can be completed with that and simple in-application scripting, or you can use the [[programmatic|programming language of your choice]].
-We've worked with all kinds of photo tools, but in helping fabs, we've gained in-depth knowledge of the Canon Steppers.  Everything from the old i4's to the new 30i5+ and 50iZ2 - the whole family of Canon tools.
-There's a lot to manage on these tools.  Recipes are not simple, which is why we've helped customer with automatic job generation (AJG) for the old i-lines and ARC for the more modern tools.  Our conversion software can also convert the i5 binary JobFiles to the new XML-based recipe file format - rapidly and "on the fly".
+{{:pasted:20210403-103954.png?200|Easy Online Tool Characterization }}
+{{:pasted:20240202-102857.png?200}}{{:pasted:20210403-104129.png?200|Drag-and-Drop Reports}}
-In addition to the jobfile or recipe you need tool-specific parameters - Offsets, Scaling, Rotation, Exposures and more provided to each tool as the job starts.
-Reticle management, automated reticle entry and tracking, as well as ensuring that the correct reticle file is on the tool, alone is more complex than most tool automation.
-Then, finally managing wafer processing and the idiosyncrasies of these tools  (why does the wafer count report wafer that weren't exposed due to, for example, alignment errors)?
-There's also a local SQL database on these tools that can provide more information and control than available through the standard automation interface.
-At one customer site we replaced an existing CIM system. (The existing CIM system was architected by a recently formed fab automation provider - experience really does count.)  The system was upgraded to provide full automation.  The ability to scan future lots allows jobfile download and reticle entry while processing.  Reticle entry is optimized by placing the reticle on the "preset" rather than in the library, saving considerable time at lot-start.  Lot-tracking and jobfile parameter verification (we can "read" the binary i-line jobfiles and check/change parameters) along with advanced data collection provide for process verification and so less rework.
-Improvements in efficiency with this level of automation, in a very busy fab, enhanced the productivity with saving equivalent to adding an additional tool.