Don?t forget equipment software

01/01/1997

Don`t forget equipment engineers

I have been regularly reading, using, and advertising in Solid State Technology for many years, finding it to be the basic and most comprehensive semiconductor information source. Nevertheless, for years I was wondering why one very important group of (potential) readers is never approached as a group, but only as random individuals. The majority of SST material and information is equipment related, and that is also the vast source for SST`s income. But the people that in their daily work are closest to equipment cannot find in SST much of the information they might need.

The group I refer to are the equipment and maintenance engineers. They comprise 10-15% of the total semiconductor working force, and a large part of the SST readers. The continuous increase in equipment complexity and cost, increases the number of "equipment people" and intensifies their influence on all equipment related issues. I would suggest that SST add a permanent department called "Equipment Engineering" where articles and information can cover the design of equipment and accessories, equipment engineering modifications, maintenance, methods and tools to increase equipment uptime and utilization.

Sam Tal, managing director

Tadin - Tal Advanced Instruments Ltd.

Mr. Tal: Thank you for your letter and suggestions. As the industry matures, equipment design and maintenance personnel are being asked to contribute more and more. We are investigating ways to serve this audience, while remaining true to our core editorial mission - semiconductor fabrication