Dry handling and metrology
- Example project
- Inspection, metrology, transport, and dry handling in target tool workflows
- Review focus
- Substrate size, flatness, cassette path, robot handling, and chuck interface
Custom wafer adapters for substrate, tool, and process constraints
Forge42 develops adapter solutions for wafers and specialty substrates that do not fit standard handling paths. Each project starts with the substrate, target tool, process environment, and automation constraints, then evaluates the adapter geometry, materials, contact zones, and handling approach needed for that use case.
Fit unusual substrates into real tool workflows
Standard carriers and handlers often fall short when substrate size, material, chemistry, contact zones, or automation steps change.
WaferAdapter projects evaluate the adapter geometry, materials, and handling approach needed for the specific tool and process path.
WaferAdapter family
Adapter variants for project-specific constraints
Forge42 develops custom adapter solutions for substrate and tool mismatches: unusual wafer sizes, fragile materials, wet chemistry, metrology access, carrier constraints, and automation handoffs.
MetroFrame
- • Metrology-focused adapter variant for substrate formats that need stable tool handling
- • Low-bow, self-aligned support for selected substrate formats
- • Matched to the intended cassette, robot, chuck, or manual handling path
FlexFrame
- • Wet-processing adapter variant for smaller-diameter substrates in existing wet tools
- • Mechanical support matched to the target carrier and tool format
- • Reviewed against chemistry, tool interface, and automation requirements
BaseFrame
- • Pocketed carrier concept for wafers that need recessed mechanical support
- • Intended for recessed-pocket support requirements
- • Applied only where substrate geometry and handling needs fit the concept
Custom adapters
- • New adapter variants for customer-specific substrate or process constraints
- • Substrate geometry, coatings, chemistry, and tool interfaces reviewed per request
- • Built around the actual substrate, process, and handling path
Adapter review paths
Start with the substrate, tool, chemistry, and handling path
Adapter fit depends on project details: substrate size, carrier format, chemistry, tool interface, and handling automation. Existing variants cover common adapter paths, while custom designs can be reviewed for new constraints.
Wet chemistry and cleaning
- Example project
- Wet-tool development where substrates need stable carrier-based handling
- Review focus
- Chemistry, coating, fixation, drainage, tool interface, and automation needs
Conductive-interface studies
- Example project
- Metrology projects that need conductive backside or substrate-biasing support
- Review focus
- Fixture geometry, chuck interface, substrate contact, and process-step limits
Special substrate studies
- Example project
- Fragile-substrate, pocketed-carrier, coating, or custom carrier studies
- Review focus
- Substrate fragility, pocket geometry, surface coating, carrier format, and handling limits
Custom adapter development
- Example project
- New adapter variants for process or tool constraints outside existing adapter paths
- Review focus
- Customer substrate, process window, carrier format, and handling path reviewed together
What Forge42 reviews for WaferAdapter projects
- Typical MetroFrame review: 2″-6″ substrates in 6″-12″ metrology equipment; other combinations on request
- Typical FlexFrame review: 2″-8″ wet-processing substrates or customer-specific formats
- Target tool, cassette, robot, chuck, or trained manual handling path
- Chemistry, coatings, materials, flatness, and edge-contact constraints that affect adapter design
- Automation requirements and handoff points for the target tool flow
Example project areas
Smaller-substrate metrology in existing tool workflows
Wet-processing development for defined chemistry flows
Pilot-line bridge projects across mixed substrate and carrier formats
MEMS, sensors, power, photonics, and specialty substrates where adapter fit must be evaluated
Custom adapter studies for defined process and handling constraints