ClassOne Introduces New Mid-Sized Electroplater – Solstice S4

Semiconductor equipment manufacturer ClassOne Technology (www.classone.com) has announced a new addition to its popular Solstice® family of ≤200mm wafer electroplaters. The fully-automated, cassette-to-cassette Solstice S4 is available with up to 4 chambers and can deliver up to 75wph throughput. In footprint, capacity and cost, the S4 is positioned between the manual-load, development-oriented Solstice LT, with 1 or 2 chambers, and the fully-automated Solstice S8 electroplater with up to 8 chambers.

“Certain users had been asking for a smaller version of our S8,” said Kevin Witt, ClassOne’s Chief Technology Officer. “Others wanted a smaller incremental step up from our LT development tool. The new S4 was a natural answer to both requests. It provides cassette-to-cassette automation but has a 28% smaller footprint than the S8. Also, S4 pricing starts at $700k, compared with $1.5M for the S8.”

“It’s about giving customers more options,” said Byron Exarcos, President of ClassOne Technology. “With the new Solstice S4 we’re providing more ways for budget-constrained users to get exactly what they need to improve their processes. For some, the S4 will provide an affordable way to replace wet benches, automate production and gain significant improvements in uniformity, consistency and productivity. For others, the S4 will be a natural replacement for aging Equinox systems.”

All Solstice models share the same advanced-performance chambers, software controls, electronics and processing results — enabling users to move easily from process development on the LT, to mid-volume production on the S4, to high-volume production automation on the S8.

The Solstice Family of Electroplating Systems:

• Solstice LT — 1-2 chambers, manual-load development tool, 70.25” x 40” footprint
• New Solstice S4— Up to 4 chambers, cassette-to-cassette automation, 68” x 82” footprint
• Solstice S8:Up to 8 chambers, cassette-to-cassette automation, 68” x 114” footprint

The Solstice S4 was also just named by Solid State Technology magazine and the SEMI organization as one of three finalists in the BEST OF WEST AWARD competition associated with the SEMICON West 2015 Conference (www.semiconwest.org).

ClassOne Technology introduced the Solstice family in 2014 to provide high-performance yet cost-efficient electroplating solutions for users of ≤200mm wafers, in MEMS, LEDs, RF, Power, Sensors and other emerging markets. All Solstice systems are priced at less than half of what similarly configured plating systems from the larger manufacturers would cost — which is why Solstice has been described as “Advanced Plating for the Rest of Us.” The tools are designed for a broad spectrum of electroplating processes using many different metals and alloys on opaque or transparent substrates. ClassOne also supports plating customers with process development, deployment and service around the globe.

About ClassOne Technology

ClassOne Technology (classone.com) develops and delivers innovative new wet-chemical equipment solutions, including Electroplating Systems, Spin Rinse Dryers, Spray Solvent Tools and more. These are especially designed for cost-conscious users of 200mm and smaller substrates in many emerging markets that have traditionally been underserved by the larger equipment manufacturers. Based in Kalispell, Montana, ClassOne Technology is built upon many decades of wet-processing experience from industry veterans who continue the ClassOne tradition of delivering quality and performance at an affordable price. ClassOne Technology is a sister company to ClassOne Equipment (ClassOneEquipment.com), long respected as the industry’s premier provider of refurbished processing tools, with over 2,500 systems installed worldwide.