The Role of "Copy Exactly" on Plastics ~ CE!

The Role of "Copy Exactly" on Plastics ~ CE! 

COPY EXACTLY aka: CE! is a process methodology developed by Intel to insure manufacturing technologies to produce chips in the laboratory setting are successfully transferred and scaled up in a high volume manufacturing setting. 

Essentially every critical step is frozen, duplicated and replicated so that the consistency of the chip is maintained. This becomes critical as the node size was reduced and any variation at all in the process is magnified due to the precision needed at a nano scale. As Moore's Law continues to drive the industry and the size of the node is constantly reduced, reliance on CE! becomes increasingly critical. 

Copy Exactly specifies the process down to the process tools (machines) used to fabricate the IC chips and even the parts used in the process tools that are deemed critical to the process. Once a process is ''Locked In'' a Process of Record (POR) is generated. In order to deviate from the POR, the supplier must submit to request a change to parts deemed critical to quality. 

So, what does this mean to the plastic materials used in the machining of parts for Semiconductor Process Tools? Quite simply, processes, procedures and materials to make CE! designated parts can not be changed without proper notification and qualification. In the case where it becomes necessary to change a material due to shortage or discontinuation, then the vendor must notify the owner of the POR so that a suitable plan can be developed and implemented. For plastics, this means raw material used to manufacture the part that was locked in and is called out in the POR should be consistent. A change of grade of material or material supplier should trigger a notification to minimize any chance that that part will change the environment from which the part performs ultimately leading to defective devices. 

THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP IN SELECTING THE OPTIMAL PLASTIC MATERIAL IS THE DETERMINATION OF CRYSTALLINE VS AMORPHOUS. 

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL PORT PLASTICS SALE OFFICE FOR ALL OF YOUR MECHANICAL PLASTIC APPLICATION NEEDS!