fabrication Archives - Means Engineering, Inc.

Semiconductor Fabrication Process

June 30, 2017 By meiadmin

Semiconductor Fabrication Process

A semiconductor is a crucial component in many electronic devices. In fact, semiconductors are present in most modern electronics. Semiconductors contain the properties of both a conductor and an insulator.

Semiconductor Materials

Common semiconductor materials include silicon, selenium, boron, tellurium and germanium. Sometimes semiconductors are made from a combination of these materials. Since semiconductor materials are abundant in nature, they are often inexpensive. The use of these materials allows technology to remain affordable for the general public.

Silicon is the most common semiconductor material used today. This substance is extracted from sand, making it easily accessible and environmentally-friendly.

Semiconductor Fabrication

Semiconductor fabrication involves an extremely intricate process in which circuits are created on top of a wafer made from semiconducting material. Although small, these circuits contain a large number of electronic components. These components must all work simultaneously to perform functions that are vital to the operation of an electronics device.

Semiconductor circuits are assembled by skilled professionals is facilities referred to as “fabs”. The process involves the assembly of hundreds of layers of different materials, each containing their own circuit pattern, on top of a semiconducting material. The entire fabrication process takes approximately six to eight weeks to complete.

Preparation of Semiconductor Material

The semiconductor material must be properly prepared before it can be used. This involves melting and forming it so that it can be sliced into wafers. The size of the wafer varies depending on the type of semiconductor circuit being created.

Once sliced, the wafer undergoes a process to prepare it for photolithography. This process involves the growth of an oxide layer, a cleaning process to remove all contaminants and the application of photoresist to the wafer. The wafer is then spun, baked and exposed to intense UV light to develop the photoresist. Once prepared, a developer is added, the remaining oxide is etched away and the photoresist is removed.

Cleanroom Environment

The entire semiconductor fabrication process takes place inside a dedicated cleanroom. This ensures that dust and other contaminants are not able to come in contact with the parts of the semiconductor circuit. Because of their delicate nature and small size, even microscopic contaminants can render semiconductors ineffective.

Advantages of Orbital Welding for High Purity Applications

May 19, 2017 By meiadmin

Advantages of Orbital Welding for High Purity Applications

Orbital welding is a clean and highly effective way to join two objects together. The process involves moving the head around a stationary object. There are many advantages of orbital welding.

Orbital welding is ideal for a number of special situations including:

When the tube or pipe cannot be rotated or rotation is not practical
When space restrictions limit the size of the device that can be used
In applications with strict requirements for quality, consistency and purity

Clean Welding

It’s important to keep contamination away from metal tubing during the welding process. Impurities can easily destroy an entire process, costing a significant amount of time and money. Orbital welding is extremely clean. It is generally performed in a clean room setting where tubes and fittings can be welded in a high-purity, contamination free environment.

High Quality Welding

An orbital weld performed using the right equipment and settings will always result in a high quality weld. This makes orbital welding the perfect choice for applications with strict requirements such as in the semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries.

Efficient Welding

Welds are always consistent and clean making the welding process extremely efficient. Computerized welding is even more efficient as the entire process can be scheduled ahead of time and documented. This reduces costs as well as production time.

Consistent Welds

With manual welding there will always be a level of variability and inconsistency between welds. Orbital welding produces consistent welds every time. This is due to the fact that orbital welding equipment can be set to a specific program, allowing the system to repeat the exact same welds time and time again.

Means Engineering, Inc. has the capabilities and equipment necessary to perform high purity welding services for a wide range of industries. Our highly skilled employees offer high quality orbital welding to semi E-49.

5 Little Known Facts About Welding

May 12, 2017 By meiadmin

5 Little Known Facts About Welding

In some form or another, welding has been around for centuries. In fact, welding dates back as far as the Bronze Age. Many people don’t realize the impact that welding has on their everyday lives. Means Engineering, Inc. hopes that you will enjoy the following little known facts about welding.

WELDING IS ALL AROUND US

More than half of all products made in the U.S.A. require some form of welding in their manufacture process. No matter how big or small, anything made out of metal can be used and produced through welding and fabrication. As technology continues to evolve, so does the accuracy, quality and versatility of welding and fabrication. Welding is involved in the making of all kinds of things, from our computers and cell phones to the homes that we live in.

WELDING IS DONE IN A VARIETY OF ENVIRONMENTS

Welding is performed both indoors and out as well as in space and underwater. Underwater welding is used for structures that cannot be removed from water. Welding in space is essential for projects such as the International Space Station.

5% OF WELDERS IN THE U.S. ARE WOMEN

During World War II more than 310,000 women worked in the U.S. aircraft industry performing jobs such as welding, riveting and engine repair. Today, 5% of welders in the United States are women. This percentage is expected to rise by 2020.

PLASTIC CAN BE WELDED

Welding is essential to the manufacturing process of all types of vehicles. Ultrasonic welding was used to assemble the world’s first plastic car. Although plastic cars never caught on, ultrasonic welding did.

WELDING IS NECESSARY FOR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

While doctors and scientists stand at the forefront of the medical world, they wouldn’t be able to perform their jobs without the dedicated men and women who manufacture and engineer the medical devices that they rely on. Welding is crucial to the manufacturing process of laser technology, MRI, CT, X-ray machines and air-tight operating rooms.

Means Engineering, Inc. offers fabrication of complex welded assemblies for a wide range of industries. The quality of work produced by our expert welders is fully backed by our demanding quality management processes.

The Right Electronics Manufacturer Could Mean the Difference Between Ordinary and Extraordinary

April 14, 2017 By meiadmin

The Right Electronics Manufacturer Could Mean the Difference Between Ordinary and Extraordinary

There are many factors to consider when choosing an electronics manufacturer. Key features can mean the difference between ordinary and extraordinary. A little knowledge can go a long way towards finding a manufacturing company that best suits your business’ individual needs.

Choosing the Right Electronics Manufacturing Company

Not all electronics manufacturers are created equal. Finding the company that best suits your business requires a practical approach. To find the right fit you will need to take a few things into consideration such as the size of the company in relation to yours, the complexity of the products they produce, the volumes they build and the types of accounts they work with.

Your chosen company should be one that has a well-managed supply chain, the proper equipment and experience to build, configure and test your products, and the capabilities to work with you to deliver what you want, exactly when and how you want it.

Quality Control

Perhaps the most important thing to consider when choosing a manufacturing company is the quality control procedures the company has in place. The company should be able to communicate issues before and during the manufacturing process. This can save your company a considerable amount of time and money.

Customer Service

Equally important to quality control is the relationship that you have with the manufacturer. This should be someone that you feel comfortable leaving your project with. You will also want to figure out who your point of contact will be at the manufacturing company. This is the person you will be expressing your company’s needs and concerns to.

Communication is extremely important during the manufacturing process. Make sure that you can freely communicate with the company that you are working with. Companies located in the U.S. are easier to communicate with than companies based overseas.

High Quality Electronics Manufacturing in Southern California

Means Engineering Inc. provides electronics manufacturing services for a variety of industries. We work directly with our clients to create solutions to a number of problems. Our team strives to provide clear communication and top quality customer service.

Please contact us to find out how we can help your business with its electronics manufacturing needs.