Pneumatic Cylinders and Linear Slides Address Semiconductor Fab Challenges
As the semiconductor industry responds to the demand for smaller, more powerful chips with new fabs and retrofits to old ones, one thing is certain: linear motion components used in cutting-edge semiconductor systems and equipment must deliver uncompromising control. For engineers looking to achieve optimal linear motion, it’s important not to overlook the precision, repeatability and performance that pneumatic components can provide. Not only do pneumatic cylinders meet extremely demanding performance criteria, they’re also compact, yet strong enough to perform reliably in tough environments with very little maintenance.
At Fabco-Air, we manufacture high-performance pneumatic cylinders plus linear slides, grippers and clamps that are particularly well-suited to meet the challenges of semiconductor fabrication applications. Highlights of our product lineup include:
Slides
We offer a variety of slides that provide guided linear motion for high-speed, automated equipment. Our FGXS slide table features a twin-bore design and rail bearing system to provide smooth motion, with dowel holes and slots on the table surface for accurate, repeatable mounting of workpieces for pick and place machinery. And, FDH finger slides with anodized aluminum construction are characterized by their compact size, making them especially appropriate for machines that place thin parts.
Pneumatic cylinders
Many of our cylinders are designed to fit into tight spaces. In fact, Original Pancake® and Pancake® II cylinders have some of the smallest bore sizes available, from one quarter inch up to four inches. Strokes are typically less than four inches. Double-acting cylinders, such as those in our Pancake II and Square Pancake II families, are ideal for pushing and pulling tasks like feeding and sorting. Washdown-resistant cylinders are also available.
In addition to delivering high performance and precision in compact sizes, Fabco-Air products address other critical requirements of the semiconductor industry such as:
- Durability and reliability. Durable materials such as anodized aluminum for cylinder bodies, stainless steel for piston rods and non-magnetic composite bushings ensure long, reliable lifetimes under harsh conditions. Many of our products also feature 303 and 316 stainless steel construction.
- Suitable for cleanrooms. Unlike hydraulics, pneumatic components do not use fluid systems that can otherwise contaminate cleanroom environments.
- “Copy Exact” (CE) uniformity. Our pneumatic products are always uniform in design and performance, ensuring peace of mind when replacing legacy parts in a CE manufacturing system.
- ISO 9001:2015 compliance. This certification demonstrates our commitment to quality assurance.
- High-volume availability. Our lights-out manufacturing capabilities ensure parts are available in high volumes for worry-free procurement.
Whether your semiconductor fabrication application requires a rugged, reliable air cylinder or linear slide, Fabco-Air products will meet your quality and performance needs while satisfying the industry’s requirements.
For more information about Fabco-Air products for electronics and semiconductors, please visit our industry page.
