May 1, 2012 — Crossing Automation Inc., fab and tool automation supplier, formed a business unit around 450mm semiconductor wafer automation platforms. May Su takes the lead as VP and GM of the 450mm division, while Michael Brain joins the company to take over as VP of marketing.
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| May Su |
In 2011, Su led the company’s 450mm R&D strategy and introduction of a comprehensive line of 450mm wafer handling products, which are currently shipping to fabs and tool makers. These included Certon 450mm loadport, Spartan 450mm sorter and Spartan 450mm Development Platform equipment front end module (EFEM).
450mm wafer handling faces increased weight, wafer fragility, and longer travel distances. A 450mm carrier with wafers has five times the total mass of 300mm versions. 450mm wafers affect fab layout, utilities, vibration, and cleanroom criteria.
Crossing Automation’s 450mm products are based on the company’s established 300mm Spartan platform, with added features for “the unique challenges associated with 450mm wafers,” Su said. The company’s 450mm Certon and Spartan platforms incorporate a proprietary Direct Force door closing mechanism to uniformly apply up to 390 newtons of force across the entire front opening unified pod (FOUP) door. The Certon loadport also uses Crossing’s patented "tilt-and-go" technology, enabling a single-person serviceable loadport.
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| Michael Brain |
Michael Brain will take over defining Crossing’s future material handling products. He brings over 30 years of semiconductor fab automation expertise, having helped develop wafer and reticle handling standard mechanical interface (SMIF), auto ID, and high performance transport and buffering solutions. Brain was involved in the industry’s move from manual, open cassette handling to SMIF-based full automation; he helped lead the first full implementation of SMIF automation at a leading foundry in Taiwan. Brain previously held VP, marketing and technology post at Aquest Systems and held various posts with Asyst Technologies.
Crossing Automation makes fab and tool automation equipment for semiconductor device makers and original equipment companies. Its products include 200mm, 300mm and 450mm wafer and carrier handling products, supported by control software. For more information, visit http://www.crossinginc.com.