ClassOne's new Electroplater gets first customer
ClassOne Technology has sold its first production unit of the new Solstice electroplating systems, launched at SEMICON last month, to the Washington Nanofabrication Facility (WNF) at the University of Washington, USA.
The WNF is a national user centre that is a part of the National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN). It is a full service micro and nanotechnology user facility, providing 15,000 sq ft of laboratories, cleanrooms, and user spaces focused on enabling basic and applied research, advanced R&D and prototype production.
Founded last year, ClassOne Technology produces wet processing tools specifically aimed at the needs of cost-conscious smaller-substrate users in emerging technologies such as MEMS, LEDs, power devices, RF communications, interposers, photonics and microfluidics.
To date, ClassOne has announced two Solstice models: The semi-automated Solstice LT features 1 or 2 chambers for development and pilot lines and starts at $350k. The fully-automated, cassette-to-cassette Solstice S8 provides up to eight process chambers, throughputs up to 75 wph and starts at $1M - which is less than half the cost of equivalent 300mm tools from the large manufacturers.
"The Solstice LT was exactly what we've been looking for," said Michael Khbeis, associate director of the WNF. "It's a very flexible development tool with the capabilities we need to serve our customers and perform a range of advanced processes - Through Silicon Via (TSV) plating and MEMS are particularly important to us. Plus, the LT price was within our budget, so we made our purchase commitment right there at the show."
