Turbodynamics
The German Pioneers of the Semiconductor Industry

Among all of the emerging technology trends, automation, in particular, has significant implications for the electronics and semiconductor ecosystem. As global enterprises have experienced profound societal, economic and technological disruption by adapting to the challenges of the pandemic, it has also paved a path for a new wave of automation. The crisis increased the value of factory automation to enable manufacturing companies to meet their rising demands. Additionally, with companies beginning to recover from the economic effects of Covid-19, automation is playing a pivotal role by enhancing capabilities to take a position of sustainable prominence with cost reduction and increase in ROI. Hence, companies must prioritize investment in automation technologies to ensure business continuity with optimal efficiency in the face of future disruptions. This is where Turbodynamics is carving a niche for itself. The company offers design and manufacturing high-quality automated test equipment (ATE) products for the semiconductor industry with core competence in docking and system integration. At the heart of Turbodynamics are its R&D department and machine shop, which is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and the latest software required to design, manufacture and assemble products in-house with high quality by trained specialists. “As an engineering-technology focused German company, we invest significantly in our in-house R&D team and machine shop to enable us to react quickly and flexibly to guarantee the best quality solutions to our customers requirements while securing future success,” states Stefan Thurmaier, President of Turbodynamics.

In the current scenario, as customers are heading towards full-scale automation— Turbodynamics has pioneered innovative Probe Card trolleys to provide the next step of automating the handling process from the storage to the wafer prober along with its docking systems.

Built for Industry 4.0, the Turbodynamics probe card trolley simplifies the handling of the probe card and protects it from unintended damage. The company has developed a unique system integration for this kind of Integrated Device Manufacturer (IDM) specifically for this equipment. The system is designed to guarantee the load board’s safe and easy operation throughout the process, starting with a safe removal from the storage, through reliable transport, up to a secured prober feeding or extraction. “Up to now, it is the only one in the market being flexible enough to handle all different kinds of Probe Card geometries within one system,” informs Thurmaier.

Furthermore, companies, especially those in Asia, often work on older and worn-out systems at 200mm (8”) wafer probers. By replacing it with a Turbodynamics’ innovative head plate allows operators to substantially improve the performance of the existing equipment without the need of additional pogo tower. Based on its patented clamping systems, the Turbodynamics’ line of Docking products enable the connection of automatic test systems and device handling systems with the highest safety, precision and repeatability, while being easy to operate. It is the only company in the market that provides direct docking solutions for 8” prober systems and 12” systems. Upon customer request, Turbodynamics will also build customers’ optional components and functionalities for integration with all significant ATE platforms such as Advantest T2000; V93000, Teradyne MicroFlex; IntegraFlex and U-Flex; ETS364 and ETS800 testers, and more. The company can make upgrades to the TEL P8XL or Precio Octo, the ACCRETECH UF 200 family or UF2000, which are 8” systems.

Established in 2007, Stephanskirchen, Germany, Turbodynamics, with its steadily growing range of products, has proven to be the go-to partner in the semiconductor industry. Each product goes through several stages of quality assurance before delivery through years of experience and highly advanced measuring instruments. With more than 40 patents, the company combines technologies innovatively and partners with customers to create long-term value and growth. Turbodynamics emphasizes maintaining an open and fair long relationship, both on the customer and the entrepreneurial side, with values such as quality, customer support, and reliability for its success. For its biggest customers, it implements Key Account managers to support and cater to their specific needs. Since the company was founded, it has grown both in product diversity and personnel, winning many accolades such as the “Deloitte Fast-50 Award” four times, including a run of three times in a row from 2017- 2019. For the future, Turbodynamics has aligned its strategy and investments around the vision of bringing technology and services to newer customer bases worldwide. Recently, the company has added a new production building in Germany and has planned expansion to Silicon Valley in 2022. “With a complete technology leading product portfolio, we strongly believe we can double our revenue within 2021 compared to 2020 and achieve additional growth by at least 30 percent by next year,” concludes Thurmaier.