MACOM

MACOM® is a leading manufacturer of high-frequency electronic components and integrated circuits for demanding industries such as aerospace/defense, industrial, medical and wireless industries. In these applications, failure is unacceptable and, at times, dangerous.

As part of its production competencies, MACOM encloses its devices in environmentally protected and electromagnetic shielded packages. EB Industries, with decades of experience in the specialized technologies of laser hermetic sealing, has been an important MACOM partner for many years for its quality and record of on-time delivery performance.

Laser welding to seal electronic packages is the most durable and cost-effective method to protect them from the harshest environments in critical applications such as satellite communications, battlefield command and control and deep-sea seismic sensors. Laser welding produces an exceptionally durable hermetic seal compared with epoxy, soldering or mechanical seals. The technology has a very narrow heat-affected zone, which prevents damage to sensitive semiconductor components. When assemblies are vacuum baked, the process limits oxygen and moisture to less than 1 ppm, a level unachievable by other sealing methods. In addition, laser welding can join dissimilar materials, giving engineers a wide range of packaging material options, including several alloys of aluminum, kovar and stainless steel.

Laser hermetic sealing is not a trivial welding process, requiring precision and expertise to deliver components that meet spec. EB Industries ensures high quality by performing its precision laser hermetic sealing in an electrostatic discharge (ESD)- and foreign object damage (FOD)-free safe room. The laser welding of these electronic packages is typically performed in a nitrogen and helium-based environment. Finally, each welded package receives a thorough inspection using helium mass spectrometer leak testing as well as gross leak testing when required, sometimes referred to as bubble testing.

Tamara Foley, the Principal Supply Chain Planner for MACOM, manages customer delivery escalation issues across all MACOM divisions. Prior to switching to EB Industries, lead times from other laser welding manufacturers had been both long and unreliable. Foley said she is very pleased with the relationship she has with EB Industries.

“We need EB Industries, and I certainly appreciate their willingness to work with us. EB Industries is very responsive; its follow-up is great. EB Industries is building a great partnership with us,” she noted.

Of utmost importance is EB Industries’ reliable, on-time deliveries with much shorter lead times than MACOM had previously experienced. With consistently reliable on-time delivery, MACOM can in turn make sure hits its own delivery commitments to its customers.

“Prior to switching to EB Industries, lead times from other laser welding manufacturers had been long and unreliable. We do not have that problem with EB Industries. In fact, we have found that they have the flexibility and capacity to respond to expedite requests when our material suppliers deliver late.”

“EB Industries does what it says it’s going to do,” she said.

Foley added that EB Industries’ reliable delivery and quality means that MACOM can better plan its own revenue and delivery forecasts. This takes place even when MACOM has expedited request projects for EB, which occurs when MACOM’s other materials suppliers are delayed and push schedules to the point where EB is asked if it can help make up time for schedule delays.

MACOM today depends on EB Industries for all its high-reliability semiconductor packaging.

“We made the switch to EB and use them for all our laser sealing,” Foley said.