KINESYS Semiconductor Factory Automation Software

Solution approach for monitoring production-critical ultrapure water valves with the aim of detecting possible failures at an early stage and better planning maintenance processes.

Smasoft Technology Co., Ltd. is a System Integrator that develops industrial automation software and offers AI application solutions. Its self-developed AINavi-AOI-Seq automated software platform and AINavi-AOI-Semicon AI defect inspection tool have been well-liked and adopted by the semiconductor and electronics industries. Recently, the company was commissioned by a semiconductor equipment manufacturer that manufactures Extreme Ultraviolet Light (EUV) pod inspection machines to implement defect AI inspection features.The EUV pod inspection machines have built-in AOI software, but can only find defective products, not determine what is causing the issue in the manufacturing process. To make products more useful, the semiconductor equipment manufacturer decided to upgrade their EUV pod inspection machines with AI features.According to the customer's request, Smasoft's AI solution must complete the analysis of 380 images for a single pod within two minutes and inspect different materials at the same time. Consequently, multiple sets of AI models (algorithms) were needed for interpretation. In addition, because the solution needed to be installed in a cabinet in the lower half of the machines, the size and configuration of the hardware had to be constrained due to the limited space.To this end, Smasoft would implement two sets of software, AINavi-AOI-Seq, and AINavi-AOI-Semicon, to distinguish the types and locations of defects through AI, and then classify defects by threshold screening. Moreover, the results would be exported into a test report to facilitate identifying the source of the problem.To meet these software requirements, Smasoft needed to purchase a hardware solution with strong computing performance and stable operation. The solution needed to be compact in size and flexible in configuration to overcome physical space constraints.

To deal with the IC design industry’s complex supply chain, GUC wanted to employ a flexible and innovative business model, and function as a key design hub that integrates IP providers and IC design partners.However, the company had to first sort out its internal processes. Project status reports proved inaccurate as project information was updated manually every week. Managing product issues required many resources and problem-solving knowledge was neither accumulated nor compiled into a database.GUC needs to continually communicate, coordinate and collaborate with wafer manufacturers, packaging plants, test plants, and other business partners. As such, it requires a comprehensive project management integration platform to handle the intricate internal and external business processes.

Through M&A activity, the company absorbed another firm and had to quickly and affordably onboard geo-diverse locations while saving a full network migration for a future date.The company needed to integrate the network infrastructure of two companies to obtain full network visibility and control but did not have the time to seek budget approval for a more extensive integration.