High-performance vision for semiconductor process

AcuReader III is a new high-performance vision system for identifying and tracking wafers and components through the semiconductor manufacturing process

Cognex, the world's leading supplier of machine vision systems to the semiconductor and electronics industries, have introduced acuReader IIIT, a new high-performance vision system for identifying and tracking wafers and components through the semiconductor manufacturing process.

acuReader III provides a comprehensive semiconductor ID solution, combining Cognex's robust, reliable OCR software - the industry's most widely used technology for reading alphanumeric characters on wafers - with enhanced ID capabilities for reading 2D Data Matrix codes and bar codes on 300mm wafers, lead frames, substrates, and other components.

Manufacturers can now achieve complete part traceability through a variety of processes such as wafer sorting and handling, wafer inspection, microlithography, bonding, and marking.

"New standards for marking 300mm wafers and other semiconductor components have emerged that call for 2D reading capability in addition to OCR," said Justin Testa, senior vice president of marketing for Cognex.

"acuReader III provides a total ID solution, offering repeatable reading performance on everything from raw wafers to packaged ICs." acuReader III features a Wizard-based interface that guides the user step-by-step through the process of setting up ID applications, automatically configuring the correct parameters as it goes along.

The interface also provides context-sensitive help, and menu text can be displayed in English or Japanese, as well as other Unicode-compliant languages.

As with previous Cognex acuReader systems, acuReader III provides robust, reliable reading performance despite a variety of real-world problems.

For example, the system can accurately read severely degraded or streaked marks caused by CMP, metalization, oxides, and other process effects.

A Microsoft COM-based software architecture enables users to easily merge ID applications with host control programs, while providing remote access to the ID application.

acuReader III consists of advanced identification software, a Cognex MVS-8100 high-speed frame grabber with onboard light control, a WindowsT-based graphical user interface, and on-line documentation.

It can be optionally equipped with a Cognex UltraLight II or acuLight II image formation system, which are designed to illuminate hard, soft, and super-soft marks for optimized reading performance.

Systems can be purchased for as low as ?2,000 depending on order quantity and configuration.

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