Showing posts with label SECS/GEM host simulation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SECS/GEM host simulation. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Which companies provide turnkey SECS/GEM integration solutions?

The semiconductor industry thrives on precision, connectivity, and automation. To ensure seamless communication between manufacturing equipment and factory host systems, the SECS/GEM protocol has become a global standard. However, integrating SECS/GEM into new or legacy equipment can be complex. That’s why many equipment makers and fabs turn to companies that offer turnkey SECS/GEM integration solutions—complete packages covering design, development, deployment, and support.

In this post, we’ll explore leading companies providing turnkey SECS/GEM integration and what makes them stand out.

Why Turnkey SECS/GEM Integration Matters

SECS/GEM integration is not just about software. It requires deep knowledge of SEMI standards, equipment automation, and host communication. A turnkey solution means:

  • Faster time-to-market for OEMs launching new tools.
  • Upgrades for legacy equipment without native GEM support.
  • Compliance with SEMI standards like E4, E5, E30, and GEM300.
  • Reduced risk through pre-built libraries, SDKs, and tested frameworks.
Leading Companies Offering Turnkey SECS/GEM Integration


At eInnoSys, SECS/GEM integration is a specialty. Their products include EIGEMBox (a patented plug-and-play SECS/GEM box for legacy equipment), SDKs, and complete integration services. This makes them ideal for fabs and OEMs that need to bring non-GEM equipment into compliance or accelerate automation projects.

Key Strengths:
  • Unique hardware/software solution for legacy equipment
  • SDKs and development tools for new equipment
  • Expertise in Fab/Assembly automation and AI/ML-driven solutions
For Fabs & Assembly/Test/Packaging

Products:

SECS/GEM addition & enhancement on legacy equipment - EIGEMBox & EIGEM-HMI
E84 & E87 addition on legacy equipment - EIGEMBox
AI/ML based health monitoring & predictive maintenance - XPump
Factory host - EIStationController
AI/ML based Smart FDC with Predictive Analytics - SeerSight
Analog Gauge Monitoring - EIGaugeMonitor
Equipment Simulator - EIGEMSim
Factory host SDK - EIGEMHost & EIGEM300Host
Chemical Management - EIBarcodeGuardian
Spare Parts & Vendor Management - EICMMS



Services:

Contract automation engineers - Experts in MES, SECS/GEM, FDC, etc.
Automation Roadmap Preparation/Review
Backup support for MES, Factory host, FDC, etc.
Cycle Time & OEE improvement custom projects
MES integration with Equipment or MRP
MES workflows, integration, migration, etc.

For OEMs

Products:

SECS/GEM addition to equipment - EIGEMEquipment & EIGEM-HMI
GEM300 addition to equipment - EIGEM300Equipment
Factory Host simulator - EIGEMSim
E84 Hardware & SDK - EIGEM84

Services:

Equipment Controller software development & maintenance
Experienced Equipment Software Engineers on Contract
Support for SECS/GEM or Equipment software


2. Cimetrix (Now Part of PDF Solutions)

Cimetrix has long been recognized as a leader in SECS/GEM integration. Its flagship product, CIMConnect, provides OEMs with an out-of-the-box framework to develop compliant SECS/GEM interfaces. Known for reliability and robust documentation, Cimetrix is trusted by many fabs and equipment makers worldwide.

3. ErgoTech / TransSECS

ErgoTech’s TransSECS platform is another well-known SECS/GEM solution. Designed for flexibility, it allows OEMs to quickly build SECS/GEM interfaces using an interface builder. It’s particularly useful for those who want more control over their integration while leveraging a ready-to-use framework.

4. Focussia

Focussia provides full end-to-end SECS/GEM services—from consultation and software development to testing and post-deployment support. They work with both OEMs and fabs to deliver customized solutions that ensure compliance and long-term maintainability.

The journey toward semiconductor equipment automation requires a trusted partner who understands the intricacies of the SECS/GEM protocol. Whether you’re an OEM bringing new equipment to market or a fab upgrading legacy tools, turnkey SECS/GEM integration solutions save time, reduce risk, and ensure compliance with industry standards.

With providers like Einnosys Cimetrix, ErgoTech, Focussia companies can choose the right fit for their needs—accelerating the move toward smarter, more connected fabs.

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Enhancing Equipment-to-Host Communication with Advanced SECS/GEM Simulators

In the ever-evolving world of manufacturing and semiconductor automation, reliable communication between factory equipment and host systems is critical. This is where standards like SECS/GEM shine—offering a robust framework for equipment-to-host integration. Whether you're validating GEM compliance or testing SECS-II messaging capabilities, the use of advanced simulators and tools like the SECS GEM SDK can accelerate development, reduce errors, and streamline automation.

Modern factories demand ultra-responsive equipment that communicates efficiently with central systems. With factory automation protocols advancing rapidly, simulating SECS/GEM environments has become essential—not just for validating connectivity, but also for optimizing production workflows in compliance with industry standards.

Why SECS/GEM Matters

The SECS/GEM protocol (SEMI Equipment Communication Standard / Generic Equipment Model) is the industry standard for enabling bidirectional communication between factory hosts and processing tools. By enabling standardized interfaces, SECS/GEM communication ensures consistent data exchange, remote equipment control, and efficient state monitoring—all vital for smart manufacturing.

A SECS/GEM simulator becomes critical during development and testing when physical equipment isn’t available or hardware integration is complex. These simulators emulate equipment responses, enabling developers to test host-side messaging, fault handling, and HSMS protocol connectivity without disrupting actual production.

Thanks to innovations in the SECS GEM SDK, engineers can now build customized simulators and validation tools tailored to specific equipment types and process needs. Whether it’s validating SECS-II messaging logic or automating SECS/GEM host simulation scenarios, SDK-powered tools simplify the task while ensuring GEM standard compliance.


Use Cases for Advanced SECS/GEM Simulators

Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) Before deploying any new tool, factories must verify host compatibility. Using a SECS/GEM simulator, teams can simulate all equipment states and commands, ensuring complete integration within the host system.

Equipment Manufacturer Validation OEMs leverage SECS GEM SDK tools to ensure their devices adhere to GEM standard compliance. This includes validating event reports, remote commands, and error handling—all within controlled simulation environments.

Software Development & Debugging Host software teams use SECS/GEM host simulation environments to fine-tune control logic, response handling, and sequence executions without needing physical access to equipment.

Training & Education Simulation tools enable engineers and operators to learn SECS/GEM communication workflows, inspect SECS-II messaging formats, and gain hands-on experience in configuring host-equipment protocols.

Key Benefits and Technical Advancements

The latest generation of SECS/GEM simulators has brought forward features that dramatically boost productivity:

✅ Multi-instance Equipment Emulation: Simulate multiple devices across a network using HSMS protocol, enabling concurrent testing scenarios.

✅ Real-time Message Logging: Track SECS-II exchanges for debugging and performance tuning.

✅ Advanced Error Injection: Validate host-side resiliency by simulating malformed messages or unexpected device states.

✅ Custom Scenario Creation: Use SDKs to script sequences reflecting unique equipment behaviors for precise verification.

✅ Integration with CI/CD Pipelines: Embed simulators into testing frameworks to automate host validation in development workflows.

These features make simulators not just test tools—but integral parts of quality assurance, continuous integration, and system optimization in smart factories.

As industrial automation accelerates, ensuring reliable equipment-to-host integration becomes non-negotiable. The SECS/GEM protocol, combined with robust simulation and development tools like the SECS GEM SDK, offers the precision and flexibility required for modern manufacturing environments. Whether validating new equipment, debugging host-side logic, or ensuring GEM standard compliance, advanced SECS/GEM simulators play a pivotal role.