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semiconductor manufacturing

Fraunhofer develops ‘resource-efficient’ measurement system for semiconductor wafer production

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The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems (IPMS), in collaboration with DIVE imaging systems, has achieved a major milestone in resource-efficient semiconductor manufacturing.

With the successful installation of an optical measurement system by DIVE in the cleanroom of Fraunhofer IPMS, the effort required for quality control during wafer production has been significantly reduced. This collaboration paves the way for a more sustainable and efficient semiconductor production process.

Semiconductor manufacturing involves up to 1,500 process steps, including etching, deposition and lithography. Due to their complexity of structures, finished wafers must be nearly defect-free, which requires rigorous quality control. [Read more…] about Fraunhofer develops ‘resource-efficient’ measurement system for semiconductor wafer production

Global semiconductor fabrication equipment sales up 21 percent

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Surging demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure and fab expansion offset geopolitical uncertainty, says SEMI

The global market for semiconductor manufacturing equipment grew sharply in the first quarter of 2025, with total billings reaching $32.05 billion – a 21 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to new data from industry association SEMI.

Released as part of SEMI’s Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (WWSEMS) Report, the figures show that continued investment in advanced chip production, driven by AI and high-performance computing applications, is helping the sector remain resilient amid geopolitical tensions and shifting trade policies.

Although Q1 2025 saw a typical seasonal decline of 5 percent from the previous quarter, the year-on-year growth points to what SEMI describes as a “future-looking investment cycle” across multiple regions. [Read more…] about Global semiconductor fabrication equipment sales up 21 percent

Global spending on semiconductor fabrication equipment projected to decrease in 2019

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Global semiconductor fabrication equipment spending is expected to decline 14 percent, to $53 billion, in 2019 but stage a strong recovery of 27 percent, rising to $67 billion, to set a new record in 2020, according to industry association Semi. 

Spurred by a slowdown in the memory sector, the 2019 downturn marks the end of a three-year growth run for semiconductor manufacturing equipment spending.

Over the past two years, memory accounted for an annual share of about 55 percent of all equipment, a proportion expected to drop to as low as 45 percent in 2019 but rebound to 55 percent in 2020.  [Read more…] about Global spending on semiconductor fabrication equipment projected to decrease in 2019

My own booming Idaho: Capital city Boise seeing fast growth in manufacturing

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It may or may not have anything to do with the new US administration’s policies, but Boise, the capital city of the state of Idaho, is seeing the local economy grow very fast, and it includes a manufacturing company that may surprise some. 

The state’s industrial sector is expanding and diversifying so fast that the Boise State University has organized a smart manufacturing workshop to highlight the latest technologies and techniques to local manufacturers.

Organised in collaboration with TechHelp, which provides specialist manufacturing consultancy services, the event will also host experts from Intel and NexCOBOT.  [Read more…] about My own booming Idaho: Capital city Boise seeing fast growth in manufacturing

Sector spotlight: Record growth of semiconductor market good sign for industrial robot manufacturers

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The global semiconductor market is growing at a phenomenal rate, evidence of which can be seen by anyone who cares to look around them.

Almost everyone on Earth either directly or indirectly uses some sort of device or machine which contains semiconductor technology.

And in some ways, this is just the beginning of the semiconductor revolution.

As Kawasaki Robotics notes on its website: “In the space of a generation, the semiconductor industry has evolved from a niche specialty to a fundamental driver of the global economy.”  [Read more…] about Sector spotlight: Record growth of semiconductor market good sign for industrial robot manufacturers