Success Story: SECS/GEM Integration on Peter Wolters AC 2000-P2 with EIGEMBox

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Introduction

In the semiconductor industry, seamless communication between equipment and host systems is critical for efficiency, traceability, and factory automation. Many legacy tools, however, lack native SECS/GEM interfaces, making integration challenging. One such case was the Peter Wolters AC 2000-P2, a widely used precision lapping and polishing system. Einnosys successfully enabled SECS/GEM connectivity for this equipment using its innovative EIGEMBox solution.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]The Challenge

The Peter Wolters AC 2000-P2 was a high-value tool but lacked native SECS/GEM capability. Without standardized communication, the fab struggled with:

  • Limited equipment-to-host connectivity.
  • Manual data logging and recipe management.
  • Difficulty in meeting automation and traceability requirements.
  • High downtime risk during integration attempts with legacy hardware.

The fab needed a non-intrusive, cost-effective, and SEMI-compliant solution that could enable SECS/GEM without impacting existing machine performance.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”37128″ img_size=”500×500″ alignment=”center” css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Benefits of EIGEMBox

By enabling SECS/GEM on the Peter Wolters AC 2000-P2, the fab achieved:

  • Faster Integration: Deployment completed quickly without machine downtime.
  • Standardized Connectivity: Direct host communication via SECS/GEM.
  • Improved Productivity: Automated data collection and recipe management reduced manual effort.
  • Future-Ready Automation: Compatibility with MES, predictive maintenance, and smart manufacturing initiatives.
  • Cost Savings: Extended the life of existing equipment without expensive upgrades.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]The Solution: EIGEMBox

Einnosys deployed its EIGEMBox, a plug-and-play hardware and software solution designed to retrofit legacy equipment with SECS/GEM capability. Key aspects of the solution included:

  • Seamless Retrofit: Integration without altering the machine controller or core software.
  • Full SEMI Compliance: Support for SECS-I, SECS-II, HSMS, and GEM standards.
  • Recipe and Data Handling: Automatic collection of alarms, events, recipes, and process data.
  • Scalable Architecture: Ability to connect multiple legacy tools to the host system.

The implementation was completed in a short timeframe, with minimal disruption to production.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]About Einnosys

Einnosys Technologies is a trusted partner in semiconductor factory automation, offering solutions for fabs, assembly/test/packaging, and OEMs. With products like EIGEMBox and EIGEMEquipment SDK, Einnosys empowers semiconductor companies to achieve seamless equipment integration, predictive maintenance, and AI-driven manufacturing.

Conclusion

This success story highlights how EIGEMBox transformed the Peter Wolters AC 2000-P2 into a fully SECS/GEM-compliant tool, enabling the fab to achieve modern automation goals without replacing existing assets. For fabs looking to bridge the gap between legacy equipment and Industry 4.0, EIGEMBox offers a proven, scalable, and cost-effective path forward.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Success Story: SECS/GEM Integration on Disco DFG8560 Using EIGEMBox

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Client: Leading Semiconductor Fab, Philippines
Industry: Semiconductor Manufacturing
Product Used: EIGEMBox by eInnoSys
Equipment: Disco DFG8560 Back Grinder[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”36675″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]The client, a major semiconductor manufacturer in the Philippines, faced a critical automation bottleneck. Their Disco DFG8560 Back Grinder, a high-performance wafer thinning tool, lacked native SECS/GEM communication capabilities. This limitation hindered integration with the fab’s MES (Manufacturing Execution System) and AMHS (Automated Material Handling System), resulting in:

  • Manual data logging and recipe management
  • Increased risk of human error
  • Limited remote monitoring and control
  • Reduced overall equipment efficiency (OEE)

Upgrading the equipment or replacing it with newer models was not financially viable, with estimated costs exceeding $3 million.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]

Solution

The fab partnered with eInnoSys to deploy EIGEMBox. This patented plug-and-play solution adds SECS/GEM capability to legacy equipment without any hardware or software installation on the tool itself.

Using only the display output (HDMI) and optional keyboard/mouse ports, EIGEMBox captured the machine’s GUI and translated it into SECS/GEM-compatible signals. This enabled:

  • Full host communication
  • Remote start/stop and recipe download
  • Real-time data collection and fault detection
  • Seamless AMHS integration using E84/E87 protocols

Setup took less than an hour, with zero downtime or risk to the grinder’s operation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]

Testing & Validation

The integration was validated through a series of rigorous tests:

  • Recipe Management: Verified remote recipe download and execution.
  • Data Logging: Confirmed real-time parameter exchange and historical data capture.
  • Automation: Enabled remote start/stop and alarm monitoring.
  • AMHS Compatibility: Successfully integrated with the fab’s E84/E87-based material handling system.

All tests passed with high reliability, and no adverse effects were observed on the grinder’s performance.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]

Results
  • 100% SECS/GEM Compliance achieved on a previously non-compliant tool.
  • Zero Equipment Downtime during deployment.
  • Improved OEE through automation and reduced manual intervention.
  • Cost Savings: Over $3 million saved by avoiding equipment replacement.
  • Enhanced Yield: Prevented scrapping of ~194 wafers annually due to improved process control.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Client Feedback

“EIGEMBox transformed our legacy Disco DFG8560 into a fully automated, SECS/GEM-compliant tool in under an hour. The integration was seamless, and the impact on our fab’s efficiency was immediate. We’re now rolling this out across other legacy tools.”

— Fab Automation Lead, Semiconductor Manufacturer, Philippines[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Ready to modernize your legacy semiconductor tools without costly upgrades?

Discover how EIGEMBox can instantly enable SECS/GEM compliance and boost fab automation.
📞 Contact us today for a free consultation or demo.

🔗 Visit eInnoSys.com | ✉️ sales@einnosys.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]