Linton Offers Hardware Retrofit
KICCS Legacy Console retrofit provides up-to-date hardware and software process control
Linton Crystal Technologies (LCT) offers a hardware retrofit for older Czochralski (CZ) process crystal growers that rely on MS-DOS based control software. This comprises all growers manufactured by LCT prior to 2009.
The KICCS Legacy Console Retrofit provides up-to-date hardware and software process control and enables customers to take advantage of recent updates, as well as be supported through future improvements. The retrofit is customized to each customer’s grower hardware and processes and can be completed on-site by the customer or an LCT technician with minimal downtime.
“Since we introduced our Kayex Intelligent Crystal Control System (KICCS) in 2009, we stopped supporting the MS-DOS based software that preceded it. The computers that ran the older software also have since been discontinued, rendering the whole console obsolete,” explains Brian Repman, software and controls manager for Linton Crystal Technologies. “The retrofit enables customers to replace the outdated console software with one that has many improved features, such as the ability to translate the interface into their native language.”
The retrofit will allow customers to take advantage of the software features standard to more recent growers. This includes the integration of a KrystalVision camera into the console computer, with the ability to display the image on either of two screens. The retrofit also entails replacing any existing two-camera head unit with a single, high-resolution camera to reduce operator setup and adjustment.
This higher resolution also provides the opportunity to perform more advanced functionalities within KrystalVision in the future, such as the melt gap software feature expected to be released early in 2019. LCT’s Web Integrated Grower Supervisor (WINGS), for remote furnace management and data collection, also runs on the retrofit and data can be maintained within a company’s network for simultaneous, consistent data sharing across growers.
Additionally, legacy keyboard ports are replaced with USB keyboard ports and additional USB ports are installed to allow for more convenient updates and file backup. The computers are fan-less, powered from DC-voltage in the console, and support USB Flash disks and USB CD-ROM.
Linton Crystal Technologies designs, develops and manufactures equipment for producing monocrystalline ingots for the semiconductor and solar industries. The company specialises in silicon and produces equipment for materials such as germanium and GaAs. it also provide technical support, process engineering support and replacement parts to help clients get businesses off the ground, improve productivity and continue to innovate.
