Maximizing Throughput for Semiconductor Manufacturers [Case Study]

Never has there been greater pressure on semiconductor toolmakers than today. With federal funding for building semiconductor fabs in the U.S. and chipmakers like TSMC and Samsung Electronics announcing new state-of-the-art fabs, the semiconductor industry is on the cusp of a boom in the United States.

The Mandate: Do More in Less Space

These new initiatives create new demands for toolmakers that build the machines producing the chips. One such demand is to make their tools smaller to fit the maximum number in the fab. Another need is to increase the yield each tool produces, requiring integration of more technologies into a smaller space.

Doing more in less space feels like an impossible task, but through careful selection of subsystems, components and, most importantly, engineering partners, it is achievable. Top toolmakers are already accomplishing this.

Supplier Partnerships Are Crucial

Just as it takes a team to bring cutting-edge semiconductor tools from concept to production, it takes an ecosystem of expert suppliers to meet chipmakers' demands.

With one leading semiconductor tool manufacturing company, HARTING's expert connectivity teams were brought specific projects around the challenge of more output in less space. Challenge accepted.

The Challenge

A major semiconductor equipment manufacturer needed to shrink an internal power distribution box on one of their tools to meet space-saving demands from end-users. Compliance with strict electrical and safety standards, fabrication requirements, precise spacing for varying wire thicknesses, safety for maintenance personnel, limited time, and space posed significant engineering challenges.

“We are extremely challenged from an engineering perspective,” said one of the engineers on the project. “If we cannot fit it, we have to change something about how space is allocated.”

The Solution

The manufacturer partnered with HARTING, utilizing Han® Connectors for reliability and space efficiency. HARTING helped navigate connector options, selecting two that fit the limited space and supported incoming power. This choice streamlined the supply chain and applied economy of scale using thousands of the same connectors across the portfolio, achieving landmark success for the engineering team.

The Challenge

The same company returned to HARTING with a new challenge: expand standardization across a larger percentage of their power distribution box portfolio.

The previous designs used many connectors per box. Reducing the number of connection points would prevent against incorrect plugging as well as save space. However, they had a unique challenge they needed multiple different amperage options.

As the project progressed, the customer realized they needed a custom request related to the number of pins — all while keeping the project moving quickly.

The Solution

The HARTING team brought a solution that allowed them to use one module type to handle all amperages in a single Han-Modular®, HARTING’s highly configurable modular connector. The toolmaker was able to save space and reduce the weight of the overall system.

Regarding the custom pin count, HARTING was also able to address that quickly so that the toolmaker could stick to their promised timelines with the chipmaker.

Han® Modular Domino connectors provide function flexibility and free up valuable footprint.