Semiconductors make most of today’s technological marvels possible: the Internet, computers, tablets, smartphones, and all of the other advancements that empower superfast communications. Most people born in the last thirty years probably couldn’t imagine life without semiconductors! They also remain one of the United States’ top manufactured exports.
In this blog, we’ll explain why companies who want to continue engineering breakthrough products will need to rely on semiconductor precision plastic machining. Just as semiconductors have been vital to the advancement of electronics in the past, they’re even more essential today—and the demands on them even greater.
4 Factors That Make Semiconductor Plastic Machining Vital to Success
Any manufacturer of semiconductors knows the industry is facing pressure, as an increasingly competitive market demands better, faster, and stronger products every year. Just a few of the issues the semiconductor industry faces include:
- The need for semiconductors that can survive repeated, severe ESD events to prevent undue yield losses.
The ESD Association estimates about a quarter of all electronics damaged for unknown reasons can be attributed to ESD, and the financial burden of ESD damage to the electronics industry is upwards of $5 billion annually. Furthermore, about one-third of field failures in the semiconductor industry result from ESD events.
- The need to extend the time between maintenance and repair shutdowns and improve production life through parts that wear longer.
Semiconductor manufacturers who want to stay competitive must do all they can to avoid shutdowns that delay product delivery. What’s more, they must accomplish this in the midst of increasingly demanding regulations from top clients seeking to incorporate complex technologies. Just look at the recent demands on the semiconductor industry from the Department of Defense.
- The need for higher and more consistent output through improved purity in processing.
Tougher applications in more advanced electronics require semiconductor manufacturers to push the limits of consistency. That means eliminating as many sources of contamination as possible during processing.
- The need to accommodate component and package designs that are becoming smaller and more precise.
Every year, devices get smaller and more efficient—and semiconductor manufacturers who can’t accommodate the new designs will lose out to manufacturers who can.
How Does Semiconductor Precision Plastic Machining Meet the Needs of the Industry?
Combined, a few key properties of engineering plastics equip them to take on these challenges. The semiconductor plastics we machine:
- Outwear standard materials
- Outlast a broad range of temperatures and chemicals
- Perform well in tough application requirements for ESD and ultra-high purity
- Hold tight tolerances on dimensions over wide temperature swings
Making use of specialty plastics for test sockets, insulators, handling trays, die pickup collets, contractors & nests, DUT boards, screws, gaskets, spacers, housings, and other components can have a major effect on equipment productivity.
Contact Us Today to Talk Semiconductor Precision Plastic Machining Solutions
Reading Plastic & Fabrication is experienced in machining a wide selection of materials for the semiconductor industry. After decades of providing precision plastic machining solutions to a vast array of clients, we’re ready to mold your idea into reality.
Let us share our expertise with you – give us a call at 610-926-3245 to discuss your project. You can also reach us via site2@readingplastic.com or by filling out our contact form.
