With the rapid development of semiconductor industry, packaging and testing has become a vital process. However, issues like long waiting time between processes lead to low production efficiency. To tackle this, robotic cache solutions have been applied, which greatly optimises the production workflow. This article will elaborate how advanced robotic caches, as one of the intelligent robotics solutions, help address diverse challenges in semiconductor industry.

Robotic caches effectively reduce material waiting time
Traditionally, wafer needs to be stored in oven for 1-2 hours for solidification before further processing, resulting in long waiting time. To optimise this, robotic caches are set up to temporarily store materials between processes. For example, robotic magazines with 15 cache bits on vehicle body can pick up materials from upstream process and deliver to downstream process just in time. Moreover, customised caching cabinets with protective gas supply are designed to further reduce waiting time and protect material quality.
Robotic caches realise flexible material handling
The mismatch between processes is another factor causing production inefficiency. Robotic caches again provide agile material handling to synchronise processes. For instance, automated seeding walls with barcode scanning fetch materials from oven accurately and quickly after curing, seamlessly connecting baking and wire bonding processes. Flexible robotic arms are also developed specially to conduct efficient oven loading/unloading.
Robotic caches enhance intelligence level
The applications of advanced robotic caches add intelligence to production management. Robotic vehicles with 3D vision system can recognise materials accurately without altering devices, reducing lead time. Moreover, with the aid of AI and IoT technologies, interconnected robotic caches obtain comprehensive data for smart decisions, such as adaptive task scheduling, inventory management, etc.
In summary,the introduction of robotic caches, as one of the intelligent robotics solutions, helps tackle issues in semiconductor packaging and testing processes including long waiting time, process mismatching and low intelligence level. Advanced robotic caches enhance production efficiency, material handling flexibility and management intelligence.