Fremont, Calif. – November 1, 2011 – Crossing Automation, Inc. (www.crossinginc.com), a leading designer and manufacturer of fab and tool automation products used by today’s foremost semiconductor device and equipment companies, today introduced the Crossing Spartan™ 450mm Development Platform and Crossing Certon™ 450 Loadport. The company has received orders for both products from leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The Loadports are expected to ship in December, with the Development Platform shipping in the first quarter of 2012.
“There is no question that 450mm related development activity is increasing at IDMs and OEMs alike,” said May Su, vice president of marketing for Crossing Automation. “These products highlight our continued investment in new product development, while the orders validate our approach to the 450mm marketplace.
The new Crossing Spartan 450mm Development Platform brings to market a unique, low-cost, small footprint system that allows OEMs to reliably move wafers in and out of process chambers. This single FOUP EFEM accelerates OEMs 450mm development efforts by eliminating the need to spend engineering time on platform development. This highly scalable platform incorporates Crossing’s proven handling technology and allows OEMs to easily migrate to high volume production without software and hardware interface changes.
The Crossing Certon™450 Loadport is unique in the marketplace, offering patented, ergonomic “Tilt-and-Go” technology that allows a single person to install, uninstall and move the tool. This feature allows for rapid installation and fast access to the EFEM or interior parts of the process tool to facilitate service, which is aided by the loadport’s 80kg weight, half the industry average. The Crossing Certon also features integrated mapping capability for optimum throughputs and a patent-pending horizontal door closing mechanism that ensures proper closing to prevent wafer damage and particle generation. Crossing’s Loadport offers a broad range of features and is compliant to 450mm FOUP, FOSB, and MAC (Multi Application Carrier) standards. “These two new products underscore our commitment to our OEM customers by allowing them to focus on their process tools and not worry about wafer handling at this stage of 450mm development,” said Su.
About Crossing Automation
Crossing Automation is a leading designer and manufacturer of fab and tool automation equipment, recognized for solving the critical issues facing today’s semiconductor device and equipment companies. The company increases fab productivity and reduces equipment costs by consistently delivering fast, reliable 200mm, 300mm and 450mm wafer and carrier handling products, supported by sophisticated control software. Crossing’s diverse family of atmospheric and vacuum modules includes loadports, EFEMs, sorters, vacuum transfer chambers, FOUP buffers, RFID systems, and carrier tracking software. These solutions are available in multiple configurations to address the customer’s desire for maximum flexibility. For more information, visit www.crossinginc.com.
