Wafab International

Wafab’s “Solar Queen” Series of automated wet process systems, provides an easy to operate, completely automated processing system designed for chemical processing and cleaning of solar cell substrates. Carriers are simply loaded and unloaded by the operators and the Solar Queen control system and automated handling equipment will process 100 or 200 piece loads automatically.

Wafab International designs and manufactures a complete line of automated wet benches, designed to provide maximum device throughput, operator safety and ease of use. Operator errors are virtually eliminated through the use of the scheduling software and the automated transport system providing highly controlled, repeatable processing of the most sensitive wafer substrates.

• shell lengths24″, 36″, 48″, 72″, and 96″

Wafab’s VLF front access manual wet benches are compatible with class 100 or better clean rooms. The open process area allows for laminar air to flow across the work surface capturing particles and fumes and directing them through the exhaust slots and out of the clean room. The open base provides for cleanroom air return, and reduces particle build up underneath the system. The wet process stations are designed for complete modularity giving the flexibility to change processes with minimal downtime and expense.

Wafab designs and manufactures a variety of chemical management equipment, including chemical storage and dispensing systems for aqueous and solvents chemicals. Our product portfolio ranges from basic fire drum storage cabinets to sophisticated PLC-controlled precision dispensing systems. Each system is configured to provide a cost-effective chemical handling solution for your budget and your application.

WAFAB International offers a variety of laboratory fume hood designs – one for any application and every budget – wherever hazardous fume containment is required. The major differences in Fumehood design is in the front opening technique. WAFAB offers standard solid front clear sashes which may be designed as solid sliding doors, solid piece liftup sashes or two-piece front sashes. Our two-piece front sashes are ideal for areas with limited headroom – see our illustrations on this page.

WAFAB has worked with many plating engineers in design and construction of specialized plating tools for electroless and electrolytic plating applications. For these types of applications fume removal and precious metal recovery is needed as well as the design and build of special fixtures which are required to hold the devices in place during electroplating.

Silicon raw materials cleaning – etching and cleaning of raw silicon “chunks” Silicon substrate etching and cleaning – for blank solar substrate materials Solar cell cleaning, etching and surface preparation – for surface treatment of printed solar cells Silicon “chunk” cleaning – usually requires a dilute cleaning solution with ultrasonic agitation capability. Typical process sequence is a multistep process including initial clean and rinse with ultrasonics, dilute acid wash, final rinse and dry. Similar tools are also used to clean scrap material from the ingot process – where “tops” and “tails” of the silicon ingots are collected and chemically processed and reclaimed previous to remelt into the crystal growingingot pulling tools. Wafab process tools may provide high volume processing of loads up to 450 lbs. using special robot assist mechanisms.

WAFAB’s Chemtran™ series of chemical carts are specifically designed to safely transport fresh or spent chemistry throughout the fab. The chemical cart is constructed with 110% secondary containment and a simple pneumatic control system with liquid level detection, making the cart a safe, reliable and user friendly alternative to the more sophisticated and expensive systems. WAFAB also offers many choices of materials for construction for the cart shells and the inner containment tank

WAFAB’s Megatherm™ High Temperature Quartz Recirculating bath is manufactured with pure fused quartz for low contamination environments and high temperature applications with three important considerations in mind: safety, reliability and clean operation. The Megatherm™ Quartz Center Feed Recirculating baths operate in conjunction with a variety of pneumatic diaphragm pumps. It’s four sided cascading inner weir with serrated edge, TEFLON® diaphragm pump, TEFLON® filter chamber, and TEFLON® plumbing all contribute towards a safe and clean operating environment. The heater design was developed to provide efficient heat transfer, rapid bath heat-up, durability and longevity. Flow rates will depend on tank, pump size, and filter porosity

• shell lengths24″, 36″, 48″, 72″, and 96″

Wafab’s semi-automated wet benches are designed for processes using two or more processing tanks. The transfer system can be set in a front to back or left to right linear configuration and is used for single tasking. The linear transfer systems are designed to hold single or dual wafer cassettes up to 200mm or a single 300mm wafer cassette. The control system includes a PLC and color touch screen interface. The PLC is programmed to control all aspects of motion, process temperature control, and rinse features. The PLC incorporates several levels of password protection, and is capable of multiple process recipe storage. The color touch screen displays bench parameters. The touch screen has several screens for maintenance, recipe setup, tank setup, operation, and alarm status.