The world of semiconductor manufacturing is an opaque one. Enthusiasts understand what a CPU is and what it does, but the actual steps and processes involved in their manufacture is far less understood by anyone that doesn’t hold an advanced engineering degree or two. So, when Intel invited me to visit its facilities in Penang, Malaysia to learn more about chipmaking wizardry, I was more than happy to accept.
Broadly speaking, Intel’s Malaysian facilities include areas that cut and sort incoming wafers followed by assembly and installation onto substrates before they take their final forms. At all stages there are tests and more tests before they’re tested further. We were also invited to visit labs that analyse failed dies and chips, and even one that builds testing equipment for Intel factories all over the world. Additionally, there’s a lab that tests the test equipment.
One of the Intel representatives I spoke with called it the most advanced manufacturing on the planet and it’s hard to argue with that. Of course, you have stuff like quantum computers or fusion reactors at the cutting edge of scientific research, but they’re not at the manufacturing stage.
And anyway, all of the R&D that goes into those things
