Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs)
Looking for information about Kensington automation, wafer handling systems, precision motion products, or equipment repair? Below are answers to common questions.
1. What does Kensington Laboratories specialize in?
Kensington Laboratories specializes in precision wafer handling automation and semiconductor equipment solutions, including wafer handling robots, EFEMs, load ports, precision motion stages, controllers, pre-aligners, end effectors, and related automation components. Kensington also provides repair, refurbishment, spare parts, technical assistance, and custom engineering to help OEMs and fabs maintain and extend the operating life of semiconductor automation equipment.
2. Are Kensington Labs and Kensington Laboratories the same company?
Yes. Kensington Labs & Kensington Laboratories are commonly used references to Kensington Laboratories, a supplier of precision semiconductor automation and wafer handling technologies.
3. Why choose Kensington for semiconductor automation?
Kensington combines precision automation engineering with long-term product support. Its portfolio covers robotics, EFEMs, stages, load ports, controllers, and related wafer front-end components, while its repair and refurbishment programs help customers manage aging equipment and obsolescence. For semiconductor OEMs, this means Kensington automation can support both new equipment development and the long-term lifecycle of installed systems.
4. What are wafer handling robots?
Wafer handling robots are precision robotic systems used to transfer semiconductor wafers between FOUPs, cassettes, aligners, processing modules, stages, and other locations inside semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
5. What types of wafer handling robots does Kensington provide?
Kensington offers atmospheric MultiLink SCARA wafer robot systems designed for semiconductor wafer and substrate handling. Available configurations support multiple axes, single- or dual-arm operation, and applications ranging from metrology and deposition to etch and thermal processing.
6. What is a SCARA wafer robot?
A SCARA wafer robot uses a selective-compliance articulated architecture to perform precise horizontal wafer transfers while providing controlled vertical motion.
7. What are Multi-Link robots used for?
Multi-Link robots are commonly used for automated wafer transfers between cassettes, pre-aligners, process modules, metrology stages, and other locations within semiconductor tools.
8. What is a wafer processing robot?
A wafer processing robot transfers wafers within automated semiconductor equipment before, during, or after manufacturing and inspection processes. The robot must coordinate accurately with the tool’s stage, pre-aligner, cassette or FOUP, sensors, and controller to provide reliable wafer handling without damaging or contaminating the substrate.
9. What is wafer cassette mapping?
Wafer cassette mapping detects the presence and position of wafers within cassette or carrier slots before robotic transfer begins.
10. Does Kensington provide wafer robot training?
Kensington robot training can help equipment teams understand correct robot operation, handling, calibration, and system setup. Proper training is particularly important when configuring end effectors, wafer sensing, and precise pick-and-place positions.
11. What is a wafer end effector?
A wafer end effector is the component attached to a wafer robot arm that physically supports or grips the wafer during transfer.
12. What types of wafer handling end effectors are available?
Common wafer handling end effector technologies include edge grip end effectors, vacuum grip end effectors, and sensing-enabled through beam end effectors. Kensington supports edge-grip and vacuum handling as well as through-beam wafer sensing for different semiconductor wafer and substrate applications.
13. When should edge grip end effectors be used?
Edge grip end effectors are useful when contact with the active wafer surfaces needs to be minimized. The wafer is held around its perimeter rather than across its primary surfaces.
14. What are vacuum grip end effectors?
Vacuum grip end effectors hold a wafer using suction and are widely used where stable, high-speed wafer transport is required. Selection depends on the wafer type, process environment, surface condition, and contamination requirements.