NEWS

• Press Releases
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000
• Articles
• Events
• Contacts

Kinetics Introduces MultiFloþ II Technology at Semicon West ¡V Next Generation Technology for MFCs Dramatically Reduces Spares Inventory

SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 16, 2001 - Kinetics Group, Inc., today unveiled its advanced inventory management MultiFlo II technology for Unit digital mass flow controllers (MFCs) at Semicon West.

Utilizing MultiFlo II technology, Unit digital MFCs are the only MFCs currently available that can cover the majority of gas and flow range combinations with a total of just nine unique standard configurations. Each of these standard configurations are physics-based models of specific gas relationships over a wide flow range - from 5 sccm to 30 slm.

The accompanying MultiFlo II Configurator Software Kit identifies which MFC standard configuration to use for a specific gas and range and configures it in minutes. Flowing gas is not required to configure the MFC.

MultiFlo II technology has been field tested, with dramatic reduction in spares inventory. One major U.S.-based chip maker that uses 8,000 individual MFCs in its fab required 2300 different MFC configurations prior to implementing Unit digital MFCs. The fab now stocks just 23 unique MFC configurations that cover 100 percent of the back-up inventory required (9 MultiFlo II standard configuration units and 14 other configurations covering various SDS, high flow and other applications).

More than 250 gases are pre-programmed into MultiFlo II configurator software at the Kinetics factory, eliminating the fab's need to know the MFC's gas and range upfront and reducing the need to stock separate MFCs for each gas and flow range. MultiFlo II technology also results in minimum downtime in emergency repair situations.

Kinetics is the world's largest provider of critical process infrastructure, uniquely positioned to meet its customers' needs for capacity expansions and integration of new process and manufacturing technologies in their facilities. Kinetics designs and manufactures gas distribution systems, mass flow controllers, re-circulating coolers and chillers, chemical and slurry blending and distribution systems, and provides outsourced manufacturing services.