Cimetrix Delivers Full Automation Solution for Thermo Electron

Cimetrix (OTC: CMXX), a leader in factory communications software, today announced that it has successfully fulfilled its contract with Thermo Electron Corporation to bring the latter’s Theta 300XT XPS Spectrometer tool to the final stages of production release to a leading fab in Europe.

Waltham, MA-based Thermo Electron, the world leader in analytical instruments, developed the automation of the Theta 300 XPS Spectrometer at its facilities in East Grinstead, West Sussex, UK, under the direction of Matt Shakespeare, Theta 300 Product Manager, for the Surface Analysis Instruments Division. The Theta 300 XPS equipment was originally developed for fab process verification as a research and development tool, but Thermo Electron foresaw the “on-line” production need for the Theta 300 XPS and strategically transitioned it to the Theta 300XT, a fully automated semiconductor fab environment tool.

The process of preparing such a tool for a fully automated semiconductor fab environment required Cimetrix engineers to incorporate the tool’s existing process module transport system with a new EFEM to provide a fully automated, host-enabled semiconductor process tool. By following a proven software development lifecycle, Thermo Electron and Cimetrix engineers were able to define and implement a new architecture that integrated Thermo Electron’s surface analysis data acquisition and processing software with Cimetrix’s customized CIM300Expert Solution toolkit to produce a new factory automation software package. The software development lifecycle started with a collaborative effort to identify system level enhancements that needed to be implemented in order to ensure safe material handling during EFEM operations and meet usability requirements necessary for acceptance in a fab production environment. The identified requirements were used to design an architecture to meet the needs of a fully automated process tool. The architecture outlined the roadmap for implementation which produced the factory automation software package XT Automation.

“The process for shifting a tool from a research and development focus to a fully automated fab-ready tool was a significant undertaking,” said Shakespeare. “Cimetrix’s ‘requirements gathering’ phase assisted Thermo Electron in identifying requirements that would not have been recognized otherwise. With the assistance of the expertise and knowledge base that Cimetrix’s engineers and project managers provided, we are installing a tool that we are confident will meet and exceed the requirements set forth by our customer.”

“Cimetrix approaches each requirement our customers present to us with a disciplined project delivery process to guarantee no details are overlooked” added Kourosh Vahdani, vice president of Global Services for Cimetrix. “The industry knowledge and expertise that the Cimetrix Global Services team brings to the table, coupled with field-proven processes, results in a superior solution for our valued customers such as Thermo Electron, and efficient tool delivery for the fabs.”

###

About Cimetrix Incorporated

Cimetrix (OTCBB: CMXX) designs, develops, markets and supports factory automation software for the global semiconductor and electronics industries. Cimetrix’s connectivity software allows equipment manufacturers to quickly implement the SECS/GEM and Interface A standards, with over 10,000 connections shipped worldwide, and provides solutions to meet the 300mm SEMI communications standards, with OEM customer installs in all major 300mm fabs. Cimetrix’s PC-based motion control software is used by leading equipment manufacturers for demanding robotic applications. Cimetrix provides total solutions for its customers with engineering services and passionate technical support. Major products include CIMConnectâ„¢, CIM300â„¢, CIMPortalâ„¢ and CODEâ„¢ (Cimetrix Open Development Environment). For more information, please visit www.cimetrix.com .