Energy supply in a limited space

Siltronic equips new wafer production facility in Singapore with cables from HELUKABEL.

The new production facility of wafer producer Siltronic has a large number of production machines. There is often little space for the power connection – this requires flexible cables with small bending radii. Thanks to the support of HELUKABEL Singapore and the PVC control and connection cables of the HELUPOWER 1000 RV-K series, the semiconductor specialist can rely on the reliable operation of his machines.

From smartphones and computers to modern cars, medical technology, machine tools, solar and wind farms, countless technological achievements of the past decades would not have been possible without a tiny, inconspicuous component called a microchip. Integrated circuits are able to perform complex logical operations and calculations in a very small space, which is the basis for the functioning of all electronic devices.

The basis of microchips are wafers. These are round or square slices of silicon with a thickness of less than a millimeter on which the necessary transistors, capacitors and other resistive elements are deposited and combined to form a circuit. The demand for wafers has been growing rapidly for decades. This is due to increasing digitalization and the introduction of electronics in more and more application areas.

Siltronic AG is one of the leading manufacturers of silicon wafers. The Munich-based company has existed in its current form since 2004, but its origins date back to the 1950s, when it began researching and developing ultra-pure silicon. Today, Siltronic employs nearly 4,500 employees, has facilities around the world and produces an average of one wafer per second. The strategic focus is on the production of wafers with a diameter of 300 millimeters, the size that makes them suitable for high-end applications such as graphics cards in computer technology.

Wafers are round or rectangular sheets of silicon that are less than a millimeter thick. They form the basis for microchips.

Largest investment in the company's history

The largest and most modern manufacturing facility for these products to date is currently being built in Singapore. This is the largest investment in Siltronic's history. About 600 new jobs will be created to expand production capacity to meet the growing demand for semiconductor devices. The first stone was laid in 2021 and construction is now well underway.

Wafers are made from blocks of semiconducting material known as ingots and undergo numerous processing steps before they are ready. Siltronic's machines have been expanded accordingly, ranging from the sawmill to surface finishing. To power the machines, the building has an extensive electrical infrastructure that supplies various voltages up to 66 kilovolts at numerous connection points. Anton Waltl's job is to connect the machines to these points: the project engineer at Siltronic Singapore and his team ensure that all production equipment gets the energy it needs to work.

Flexible installation in hard-to-reach places

“We use connecting cables with different numbers of conductors, cross-sections and rated voltages to supply power to the machines,” says Waltl. “However, a challenge is often the same: the limited space and difficult-to-reach connection areas where we have to lay the cables. It is especially important that the cables are suitable for narrow bending radii.” “Otherwise there is a risk of damage or even cable breakage, which can lead to expensive production downtime,” Waltl explains.

During his time in Germany, the project engineer already had good experiences with HELUKABEL as a partner for electrical connection technology – so it was obvious to also bring the specialist on board for the new building in Singapore. “HELUKABEL is represented here by a local subsidiary, so the company was able to provide us with the desired service and fast response times,” says Waltl, explaining his choice. “Especially for a project of this size, it is a significant advantage to have a contact person in the area who knows the local market, knows the applicable regulations inside and out and can also respond quickly to short-term requirements.”

To supply the machines with power, the building has an extensive electrical infrastructure.

Reliable high product quality

However, it was not only the service that convinced, but also the products: With the PVC control and connection cables of the HELUPOWER 1000 RV-K series, HELUKABEL offers high-quality power cables for devices and machines, which impress, among other things, with their high flexibility. Depending on the size, they have a minimum bend radius of only four times the outer diameter. “Local cable manufacturers here in Singapore do not offer such cables in this form,” says Waltl. The HELUPOWER 1000 RV-K is flame retardant and resistant to UV radiation, which ensures long-term reliable operation of the machine. “We also benefit from the fact that the cables are produced in accordance with all applicable regulations and are of consistently high quality. This creates safe delivery, which is an important factor for us,” Waltl emphasizes.

Reduced installation times

HELUKABEL also supplies motor cables from the TOPFLEX range, some conductors from the NSGAFÖU range and many other products for the new Siltronic factory. Anton Waltl and his team are also pleased with the way the cables are laid: “Thanks to their smooth surface, the cables are easy to handle and pull. This saves us a lot of time during installation. This is also an important aspect for those responsible at Siltronic, because the machines often have to be put into operation quickly. The semiconductor specialist continues to rely on HELUKABEL for further expansion phases of the production site. Waltl is fully confirmed in his choice: “We are very satisfied with the collaboration and look forward to bringing this project to a successful conclusion together.”

You can also find this and many other exciting articles in the current issue #15 of our customer magazine POWER.  Read it now!