Consulting Rates

Semiconductor front-end equipment and process — advisory from the fab side

These are indicative rates for consulting on semiconductor front-end equipment and process — WET cleaning, CMP, Cu electroplating and asher.

A firm quote follows once the scope is defined. The first conversation is a free 30-minute fit call.

1. Engagement Options

Engagement Scope Fee
Fit call 30 minutes, first contact Free
Hourly / spot 1 hour minimum US$300 per hour
Monthly advisory 12 hours per month, 3 months minimum from US$3,000 per month
Project Defined deliverable, fixed fee from US$4,000

The monthly option is the better value

  • Twelve hours at the hourly rate would be US$3,600, so US$3,000 works out at an effective US$250 per hour.
  • It also means you can reach me as questions come up, rather than booking each time.
  • Larger or long-running project scopes are quoted individually.

2. What I Cover

✓

Front-end equipment and process

WET cleaning, CMP, Cu electroplating, asher — from having run these tools on a production line, not from the supplier side

✓

Evaluation from the user side

How a fab actually evaluates tools and consumables, and what evidence a global process team asks for before it decides

✓

Isolating a defect

Whether a defect is equipment-, consumable- or process-related, and how to design the experiment that separates them

✓

Getting a new tool onto the line

Who decides, what they look at, and how a supplier positions a tool so that it earns a place on the line

3. Additional Fee Factors

✓

Confidentiality & Security Premium (+10-20%)

Strict security requirements, NDA-covered confidential work

✓

Expedited & Emergency Premium (+20-50%)

Delivery shorter than the standard timeline, weekend or night work, emergency projects

✓

Long-Term Agreements

Preferential rates for continuing arrangements beyond the three-month minimum

✓

Travel & Expenses

Charged at cost and agreed in advance, if any are required

Important Notes

  • Rates are indicative and may vary with scope, scale and complexity
  • The first conversation is a free 30-minute fit call — one problem, a straight answer on whether I can help
  • A firm quote follows a defined scope, and quotations are free of charge
  • Spot consulting from 1 hour is available without a monthly commitment
  • Work is normally delivered remotely, in English or Japanese

Request a Quote

Specific pricing will be provided after discussing your project requirements.
Your first consultation is a free 30-min Fit Call.

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