Fabmatics GmbH, a leader in semiconductor automation solutions, is proud to introduce the Test Wafer Center (TWC) , an innovative and fully automated solution designed to transform test wafer logistics for semiconductor fabs. As fabs face a growing need for efficiency, the TWC offers a way to centralize and automate the handling, storage, and kitting of test wafers — essential non-product wafers that play a pivotal role in process control, equipment qualification and conditioning.
Test wafers make up a surprisingly significant share of fab wafer inventories, often ranging between 25-50% of total wafers. Managing these wafers, each with unique handling requirements, is complex, and manual handling often risks productivity loss and operational downtime. The TWC addresses these challenges by automating the process, ensuring test wafers are ready exactly when needed.
The Test Wafer Center (TWC): Setting a New Standard in Automated Test Wafer Life Cycle Management
Fabmatics’ TWC is built to handle the full lifecycle of test wafer lots, from kitting and just-in-time delivery to de-kitting and storage. With a flexible layout accommodating up to 93 storage bins and 14 material handling points, the TWC is ideal for dynamic fab environments. It offers complete remote control, enabling fabs to determine timing and contents of test wafer lots with precision and reliability.
By implementing the TWC, fabs are not only acknowledging the importance of test wafers but also taking a decisive step toward automating this critical area of production. Test wafer handling has long remained a manual process, but it’s time to elevate it to the standards of modern semiconductor manufacturing — just as has been done for WIP environments over recent years.
Fabmatics is eager to prove how automated test wafer management pushes fabs to break the shackles of legacy manual test wafer operation.
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