IN/INS shorting due to surface ESD

As semiconductor devices becomes smaller and smaller, more complex and sensitive to ESD, the manufacturing process gets more difficult. Manufacturing equipment should be ready for this kind of phenomenon and companies should be aware that surface ESD could happen at their production line. Though there are current ESD controls and knowledge of the classical ESD models, these may not be sufficient enough to comprehend the new ESD failure model. An increasing trend in customer complaint due to IN/INS shorting triggered the team to come-up with corrective/preventive action to eliminate this problem. Employing Philips\´ MEDIC approach and use of statistical engineering tool we were able to define an action to prevent occurrence of such phenomenon. The team achieved a reduction in DC fails, zero customer complaints and a priceless benefit... "customer delight".