Semiconductor Processing Improves with FPGA-based Controller

A look at how upgrading a semiconductor processing machine with National Instruments' new CompactRIO 9068, which incorporates a real-time controller and FPGA, dramatically improved the machine's throughput.

David Greenfield, editor in chief

Aug. 27, 2013

In this video, Nate Holmes of National Instruments walks us through the components used in an advanced semiconductor processing machine. The machine includes a rotary mechanism with pneumatic actuators to handle freshly diced wafers, which are identified by a gigabit Ethernet camera to position the stage to pick components of the freshly cut silicon with actuators. Machine motion is handled by brushless servo drives from Kollmorgen. The resulting silicon packages are tracked with a gigabit Ethernet camera on the opposite side of the machine for placement in an X-Y stage. This machine previously processed 12,000-14,000 parts per hour. With the addition of National Instruments’ new CompactRIO 9068, the machine can now process up to 20,000 parts per hour – a 3x improvement in performance.

See my blog post on the introduction of the CompactRIO 9068 discussing the evolution of controllers through increasing use of FPGAs.

About the Author

David Greenfield, editor in chief

Editor in Chief

David Greenfield joined Automation World in June 2011. Bringing a wealth of industry knowledge and media experience to his position, David’s contributions can be found in AW’s print and online editions and custom projects. Earlier in his career, David was Editorial Director of Design News at UBM Electronics, and prior to joining UBM, he was Editorial Director of Control Engineering at Reed Business Information, where he also worked on Manufacturing Business Technology as Publisher.