Thursday, May 24, 2018

As the Industry Leader, We Continue to Grow Our Line




While we have been in business for over 60 years, it isn’t in Micromanipulator’s DNA to rest on our laurels and not continue to improve and develop new products that address the changing needs of our customers.  In fact our talented team of professionals is hard at work designing, engineering and manufacturing industry-changing probe stations, accessories and consumables.  We are also proud of the fact that we offer products to fit every budget and designed for ease of use so system users can focus on the data and not on the prober.   

If it has been a while since you last visit Micromanipulator’s website, you will be surprised to see all of the changes that have occurred over the last year or so.  We now have an ecommerce store that allows you to securely purchase many of our products online 24/7 regardless of where you live.  We sell and ship internationally, which makes it convenient to order not only your probe tips and holders, manipulators, and patch cords but our new    economy brand, the preconfigured Mechatronics ACE probe stations.  Designed for basic probing applications, our new Mechatronics ACE leverages all of the essential Micromanipulator designs and expertise to provide customers with a tremendous value.  

Another addition to Micromanipulator on-going commitment to providing the utmost customer service is our California demonstration hub that gives system users the ability to evaluate the performance and capabilities of Micromanipulator tools in a real world setting.   Partnering with TEC Associates in Fremont California, our demonstration facility is minutes away from the San Jose International Airport and the Bay Area. 

From products such as state-of-the-art probe stations and an application board/probe station, an exclusive H1000 series thermal chuck, a range of probe tips and holders, manipulators, and more, the Micromanipulator Company remains the industry leader.  Please visit our website to learn more.    

Micromanipulator not only invented analytical probing in 1956 but we remain the leading name in the field.  As such we reliably deliver the tools and life cycle support the semiconductor industry depends on.  As part of our company’s philosophy and what drives our success is an unfaltering commitment to customers’ satisfaction.  We invite you to contact us to find out more about our wide range of probe stations, accessories and consumables.        

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Making Low Current (Femtoampere Level) Measurements?




The Micromanipulator Company has established an excellent reputation by not only selling the industry’s best state-of-the-art probe stations but making it a priority to help our customers’ succeed by providing useful information.  One area we feel it important for both beginners and experienced user to have more details available is when using a probe station to make low current (femtoampere level) measurements.   

While our engineers are ready to help customers use our tools effectively, our Basics of Low Current Probing application note concisely and clearly goes over the required steps for the proper setup, shielding and guarding.  In addition the equipment needed to provide the correct probing environment is described along with many of the common problems users encounter and the best ways to solve them.  By elaborating on the many factors that can adversely affect low level measurements, it gives users a better chance to identify and minimize the noise source or the noise coupling mechanism and to learn how to isolate noise from the signal.  

Here you will a description of the two typical probe contact configurations used in the grounding and shielding techniques for low current measurements.  The first configuration is surface to surface and is represented by MOSFET subthreshold measurements.  The second one is defined as surface to substrate measurements and represented by time dependent dielectric leakage observations (TDDL).  Our note contains figures of these configurations to make it easier to understand.  The note also discusses the issue of cable isolation and noise.   

Micromanipulator’s Basics of Low Current Probing guidelines for successful low level measurements remind users to pay attention to details.  As you will discover many factors can interfere with the desired measurement because of the very small physical values being observed.  Our recommendation is to review and practice the prevention measures provided to help eliminate problems before they occur.  Another tip to avoid problems is to keep your probe station clean.  Please visit our website to read the complete application note as well as take a look at our many products.   

Micromanipulator not only invented analytical probing in 1956 but we remain the leading name in the field.  As such we reliably deliver the tools and life cycle support the semiconductor industry depends on.  As part of our company’s philosophy and what drives our success is an unfaltering commitment to customers’ satisfaction.  We invite you to contact us to find out more about our wide range of probe stations, accessories and consumables.        

Friday, May 11, 2018

Use the Industry’s Most Reliable Accessories to Ensure Your Success


At Micromanipulator, we recognize that our success is based on the success of each and every one of our customers.  If you are not achieving optimal results when using our products, we want to know why not and how we can help you to accomplish it.  As an industry leader, we got here by not only developing the best products but by having a goal of 100% customer satisfaction.  Along with manufacturing the broadest range of probe stations on the market, we are also proud of our exceptional line of accessories.   

One of those smartly-designed accessories is our Light Tight Enclosure with Vibration Table.  The meticulously crafted tool allows the probe station to be supported on the vibration isolated surface while the light tight enclosure is mounted on a rigid surface of the table’s guard rails.  This feature provides the assurance that the floating vibration isolated surface is not disturbed when the Light Tight Enclosure (LTE) is opened.    

Micromanipulator’s proprietary assembly is easier for users to install as well as remove the probe station when finished.  The assembly consists of everything you need including the inner table, where your probe station is placed, and has extended legs which sit on the vibration isolated surface.  The assembly’s LTE’s access holes in the bottom plate have rubber “light shielding boots” that securely fit around the inner table legs in order to prevent any light leakage through the holes.   

In addition we design, engineer and manufacture other accessories including the exclusive H1000 series thermal chuck. The H100 not only offers the lowest cost of ownership available but leads the wafer probing industry by offering the best planarity and lowest noise.  Micromanipulator’s product line also includes microscopes, manipulators, and DC and RF measurement hardware.  Please visit our website for contact information and to learn more about our company and our products.   

Micromanipulator not only invented analytical probing in 1956 but we remain the leading name in the field.  As such we reliably deliver the tools and life cycle support the semiconductor industry depends on.  As part of our company’s philosophy and what drives our success is an unfaltering commitment to customers’ satisfaction.  We invite you to contact us to find out more about our wide range of probe stations, accessories and consumables.        

Monday, April 30, 2018

Take Advantage of Our Active Product Upgrade & Trade-in Program


As part of Micromanipulator’s commitment to providing customers with the tools they need to ensure their success, we offer an opportunity to upgrade your present system with some of our newer products.  We understand your needs may have changed over time, which is why we offer our active product upgrade and trade-in program.  Micromanipulator’s upgrade paths are also available for obsolete tools so you too can benefit from newer advancements in the field as well as get the features you now need.   

If it has been a few years since you have taken a look at Micromanipulator’s website, you will be surprised to discover lots of new products as well as a new brand.  In fact our company is proud to offer the semiconductor industry the most comprehensive selection of high-quality probe stations and accessories on the market today.    

Among our selection includes Micromanipulator’s system level probers, semi-automatic, high performance manual and general purpose manual models.  We also recently introduced Mechatronics Ace, a new brand of preconfigured probe stations that leverages the essential Micromanipulator designs and expertise but offers a low cost of ownership and effortless operation.  To protect your investment, we have extended warranties and preventative maintenance programs on all of our probe stations and accessories.   

In addition if you need a probe station at a significantly reduced price, we encourage you to inquire about our used probe stations and equipment.  Just like our new products, our used tools come with a factory warranty and support.  Please visit our website to learn more about the industry’s leading manufacturer of probe stations and accessories including probe card holders, thermal chucks, manipulators, probe holders, vibration isolation tables, and more. 
Micromanipulator not only invented analytical probing in 1956 but we remain the leading name in the field.  As such we reliably deliver the tools and life cycle support the semiconductor industry depends on.  As part of our company’s philosophy and what drives our success is an unfaltering commitment to customers’ satisfaction.  We invite you to contact us to find out more about our wide range of probe stations, accessories and consumables.        

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

The Industry’s Finest Probe Positioners/Manipulators


Micromanipulator designs and manufactures a wide range of probe positioners, which means it is easy to buy one that meets your application needs, your personal preference and your budget.  Along with offering the highest stability on the market, all of our probe positioners are ergonomically designed and feature direct lead screw-lead nut drives. 
Additionally our probe positioners are stabilized by a vacuum or magnetic base used to support the probe holder.  To ensure that different probe holder shanks can be firmly attached to the manipulator, we include collet shafts with our probe positioners and the appropriate collet with our probe holders.  
One of our most economical manipulators is the Model 110, which offers a low acquisition cost and a small footprint that is designed for easy placement.  The Model 110/210 is a mini-arc style with a resolution of 32 threads per inch (TPI) = 2.2 µm and 10 mm (0.4”) maximum travel along each axis.
In the medium price range, our 450/560 magnetic base or vacuum base manipulators offer customers great flexibility and performance.  The probe positioners even provide a choice of seven possible setup options and positioning adjustments. 
Our premium “Wave” series manipulators feature X-Y and Z lead screw-lead nut control plus theta and planarity controls for alignment of microwave, multi-probe or mini-probe cards (such as Celadon’s“ Versa Tile”).  The Wave series has a resolution of 40 TPI =1.7 µm and 12.7mm (0.5”) maximum travel along each axis.  The Theta and Planarity range is 4 degrees.  
In addition to the introduction of our newest brand, the Mechatronics Ace, we have a line of compatible manipulators.  One example is the Mechatronics ACE left hand or right hand vacuum base manipulator, which is designed for 6-micron geometries.  In the left hand probe positioner, the XYZ controls are forward facing when placed on the left side of the probing setup.  Please visit our ecommerce store to purchase our probe positioners, probe holders and probe tips conveniently online.
Micromanipulator not only invented analytical probing in 1956 but we are the leading name in the field and reliably deliver the tools and life cycle support the semiconductor industry depends on. Our company’s philosophy and what drives our success is an unfaltering commitment to our customers’ satisfaction. You will find one of the most comprehensive ranges of probe stations on the market as well the consumables, accessories and on-site support you need.        

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Quality Probe Stations from the Industry’s Leader


At the Micromanipulator Company, we have always considered our success to be based on the success of our customers.  To that end, we have built a reputation for designing, engineering and manufacturing products that are not only appropriate for virtually any application but any budget.  And this is now truer than ever with the introduction of our new brand, Mechatronics Ace.  With such a broad selection of high-quality probe stations, we guarantee customers will find the best products to meet their needs. 

Starting with our premium model, the patented 2210-ls Application-Board Probe Station seamlessly combines a traditional wafer probe to the device exercising capabilities of the application board.  As the world’s first true system level probe station, the 2210-ls offers users above and below ambient temperature capabilities.  Also the application board compatible station is designed to migrate wafer level probe capability to the system level application board in order to assist with post tape-out product spins.  This allows user to quickly trace and analyze issues that are found only in the actual end application environment.   

A very popular mid-range choice is Micromanipulator’s economical 450PM (150-200mm) General Purpose Manual Probe Station.  Used across the globe, the 450PM model offers a stable, reliable probing performance as well as a low cost.  Furthermore while the probe station may be economical, we want you to know it still has many standard options to allow you to configure it to your specific needs. In addition we offer lots of compatible accessories including probe card holders, thermal chucks, manipulators, unique probe holders, vibration isolation tables, camera systems and more.  

We also want to include our new brand, Mechatronics Ace that offers 150mm Manual Probe Station Preconfigured Systems.  The new Mechatronics Ace is a great addition to our product line with its low cost of ownership and effortless operation.  Our preconfigured packages include everything you need to get started or allow you to configure your own package.  Please visit our website to learn more about both our Micromanipulator and Mechatronics probe stations.   

Micromanipulator not only invented analytical probing in 1956 but we remain the leading name in the field.  As such we reliably deliver the tools and life cycle support the semiconductor industry depends on.  As part of our company’s philosophy and what drives our success is an unfaltering commitment to customers’ satisfaction.  We invite you to contact us to find out more about our wide range of probe stations, accessories and consumables.        

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Products & Services that Ensure Your Success



At Micromanipulator it is important to us to provide “Full Life-Cycle Support” that starts from concept, to production, right through to maintenance.  In addition to ensuring each customers is satisfied with their products, our experienced team will help get your system up and running as well as keep it operating at peak performance. 
When you are shopping for our products, Micromanipulator’s engineers are ready to answer any questions you may have about our extensive line of probe stations and accessories.  Once you do buy, you will benefit from our top-quality onsite technical support team.  To make it convenient to contact us, you can do it by phone or through our website using our online form to let us know how we can help.  Depending on your needs, one of our engineers or a sales rep will get back to as soon as possible.  
You will also find on our home page an online “Request a Quotation” form.  This is a great way for us to understand your needs.  When you fill it out, please remember to make note of your preferred contact method and availability.  
Please keep in mind that there is a reason why the semiconductor industry depends on the high quality products of Micromanipulator.  As the world leader in high performance probing since 1956 and an early pioneer in the field, we have continued to produce the tools the industry needs now to develop the products of the future. 
Another reason Micromanipulator remains the go-to-place for quality probe stations and accessories is while our headquarters and engineering and manufacturing facilities are in the U.S., our products are readily available and sold throughout the world.  To learn more about the best products for your needs, please visit our website for contact information and one of our knowledgeable team will get back to you. 
Micromanipulator not only invented analytical probing in 1956 but we are the leading name in the field and reliably deliver the tools and life cycle support the semiconductor industry depends on. Our company’s philosophy and what drives our success is an unfaltering commitment to our customers’ satisfaction. You will find one of the most comprehensive ranges of probe stations on the market as well the consumables, accessories and on-site support you need.