The present disclosure provides for improvements in fixturing parts in preparation for an electroplating process, thus reducing part handling. The system provides a reusable masking tool comprising a main body having an opening with a removeable coverplate positioned within the opening and one or more locking tabs engaging a corresponding relief slot in at least one of the sidewalls of the main body. The system also comprises a fastener moveably secured within the main body and extending through a top surface of the main body. The main body, fastener, and coverplate may be fabricated from a polymer material by way of an additive manufacturing process. A shank, fabricated from a conductive material, extends through the fastener and is engaged with the fastener such that upon rotation of the fastener, the shank is drawn into contact with the gas turbine engine component, thus providing a conduit for the electroplating process.

The present disclosure provides for improvements in fixturing parts in preparation for an electroplating process, thus reducing part handling. The system provides a reusable masking tool comprising a main body having an opening with a removeable coverplate positioned within the opening and one or more locking tabs engaging a corresponding relief slot in at least one of the sidewalls of the main body. The system also comprises a fastener moveably secured within the main body and extending through a top surface of the main body. The main body, fastener, and coverplate may be fabricated from a polymer material by way of an additive manufacturing process. A shank, fabricated from a conductive material, extends through the fastener and is engaged with the fastener such that upon rotation of the fastener, the shank is drawn into contact with the gas turbine engine component, thus providing a conduit for the electroplating process.

Provided is a technique configured to cause a first actual operation to be started in a short time when the actual operation of a substrate processing component group is performed a plurality of times. A substrate processing system 10 includes a substrate processing apparatus 11 having a substrate processing component group 20 and a controller 40. The substrate processing component group 20 is configured to perform a test operation and an actual operation. The substrate processing component group 20 has a first substrate processing component and a second substrate processing component. When the actual operation is performed a plurality of times, the controller 40 causes the first substrate processing component to perform the test operation and causes the actual operation of the first substrate processing component to be started after completion of the test operation of the first substrate processing component.

Provided is a technique configured to cause a first actual operation to be started in a short time when the actual operation of a substrate processing component group is performed a plurality of times. A substrate processing system 10 includes a substrate processing apparatus 11 having a substrate processing component group 20 and a controller 40. The substrate processing component group 20 is configured to perform a test operation and an actual operation. The substrate processing component group 20 has a first substrate processing component and a second substrate processing component. When the actual operation is performed a plurality of times, the controller 40 causes the first substrate processing component to perform the test operation and causes the actual operation of the first substrate processing component to be started after completion of the test operation of the first substrate processing component.

An object is to reduce the field shielding effect of a paddle during plating. There is provided an apparatus for plating that is configured to plate a substrate and comprises a plating tank; an anode placed in the plating tank; a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the substrate in a first direction and in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; and a control device configured to control the rotation mechanism, such that a time period when the substrate is rotated in the first direction becomes equal to a time period when the substrate is rotated in the second direction or such that a time integrated value of a rotation speed in the first direction becomes equal to a time integrated value of a rotation speed in the second direction.

An object is to reduce the field shielding effect of a paddle during plating. There is provided an apparatus for plating that is configured to plate a substrate and comprises a plating tank; an anode placed in the plating tank; a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the substrate in a first direction and in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; and a control device configured to control the rotation mechanism, such that a time period when the substrate is rotated in the first direction becomes equal to a time period when the substrate is rotated in the second direction or such that a time integrated value of a rotation speed in the first direction becomes equal to a time integrated value of a rotation speed in the second direction.

Electroplating apparatus and electroplating method using the same. Provided is an electroplating apparatus. The electroplating apparatus includes a plating bath and a stage configured to support a substrate loaded into the plating bath to be disposed in a horizontal direction. The electroplating apparatus further includes a plurality of cathodes disposed on both sides of the substrate and an anode configured to be movable above the substrate. The electroplating apparatus also includes a plurality of spray nozzles disposed on at least one side of the anode and configured to spray a plating solution. The electroplating apparatus further includes a shield which is disposed on both sides of the anode and whose one end is more adjacent to the substrate than the anode.

Electroplating apparatus and electroplating method using the same. Provided is an electroplating apparatus. The electroplating apparatus includes a plating bath and a stage configured to support a substrate loaded into the plating bath to be disposed in a horizontal direction. The electroplating apparatus further includes a plurality of cathodes disposed on both sides of the substrate and an anode configured to be movable above the substrate. The electroplating apparatus also includes a plurality of spray nozzles disposed on at least one side of the anode and configured to spray a plating solution. The electroplating apparatus further includes a shield which is disposed on both sides of the anode and whose one end is more adjacent to the substrate than the anode.

A plating device includes: an anode; a substrate holder which holds a substrate; a substrate contact which comes into contact with a peripheral edge portion of the substrate; a resistor which is disposed in a way of facing the substrate holder between the anode and the substrate holder, and is used for adjusting ion movement; and a rotation driving mechanism which causes the resistor and the substrate holder to relatively rotate. The resistor includes: a shielding region which forms an outer frame and shields the ion movement between the anode and the substrate; and a resistance region which is formed on the radially inner side of the shielding region, and has a porous structure allowing the passage of an ion. An outer diameter of the resistance region has an amplitude centering on an imaginary reference circle, and has a wave shape which is periodic and annularly continuous.

Disclosed are cup assemblies for holding, sealing, and providing electrical power to a semiconductor substrate during electroplating which may include a cup bottom element having a main body portion and a moment arm, an elastomeric sealing element disposed on the moment arm, and an electrical contact element disposed on the elastomeric sealing element. The main body portion may be such that it does not substantially flex when a substrate is pressed against the moment arm, and it may be rigidly affixed to another feature of the cup structure. The ratio of the average vertical thickness of the main body portion to that of the moment arm may be greater than about 5. The electrical contact element may have a substantially flat but flexible contact portion disposed upon a substantially horizontal portion of the sealing element. The elastomeric sealing element may be integrated with the cup bottom element during manufacturing.