HOW STUFF WORKS (by Shivam Gautam): How RAM is made!!

We all use memory modules for storage and for system purposes,one of the most important memory we use is RAM memory it makes our PC's to work frequently,But did u know how r thy made in this module we talk about their making.Just check it out!

Programming the SMT Computer

The first stage of producing a memory module is programming the SMT computer, along with collecting the appropriate chips to be installed on the PCB.

It takes around 20 - 30 minutes to setup the machines for their first test run. In that time, the factory engineers program the computer with all the different settings, calibrate the SMT line and feed the SMT line with all the chips required to produce the module.

Once the machine is setup, the next step is to do a test run. This is to ensure that the SMT computer was programmed correctly and if the SMT line if properly placing the chips on the PCB. Why go ahead and produce an entire batch of modules which may be faulty, if the machine was setup incorrectly?

Once the first quick test run is complete (just a single PCB is tested, consisting of six modules), one of the engineers will remove the PCB from the SMT line and reference it with a document. The document is used as a map to determine whether or not the computer was programmed correctly and if full production can go ahead or not.

Once the engineer is satisfied with the first test run PCB, a full production run can begin.

Applying unleaded solder paste and the initial chips

The very first stage of RAM production is applying solder paste to the blank PCB. In recent times, there has been a call for computer companies to start using totally lead-free products and TEAM is one of the many companies to stand up and listen.

Here is a close up of what a PCB looks like without anything installed onto it.

The machine below is responsible for applying the solder paste to the PCB.

The PCB is then sent on through to the next part of the SMT line.

At this point, the SMT will begin to place all of the tiny components onto the PCB.

As we mentioned in the introduction, TEAM make use of “high-speed” SMT lines. That means they are twice as fast as regular SMT lines. Many years ago we visited other memory factories and it’s amazing to see how much Japanese robotics have improved over the years, in terms of the raw speed these machines can place chips on the PCB.

With just three high-speed SMT lines, which in theory are equal to six, TEAM Group is able to produce almost one million memory modules per month.

Now that the components are installed on the PCB, the RAM chips are ready to be installed

Installing the RAM chips

The third stage in the production phase is installing the all important RAM chips onto the PCB.

In the photo below you can see the SMT line putting the PCB into place, ready to have the RAM chips installed on it.

Next up the robotic “arms” pick up the RAM chips from the tray and prepares to place them onto the PCB.

Here we can see the RAM chips being placed onto the PCB which believe me happens at an amazingly rapid pace. I would say some cameras would have a hard time taking photos of this part of production without at least some type of blurriness. Three RAM chips are installed at one time and then the robotic arm will go back to the tray and pick up another three RAM chips - and so the cycle goes.

With the SMT machines placing the chips so quickly and delicately onto the PCB, it was interesting to find out what precautions TEAM have in place in case of earthquakes, since Taiwan is prone to many earthquakes every year. The SMT lines can continue production through a 2 – 4 scale earthquake without any interruption and usually with no faulty modules as a result - anything higher and the machines have to be stopped and the modules on the line destroyed. TEAM uses a special type of flooring in their factory which is “rubbery” in construction. It is designed to absorb earthquake shocks. Also, the SMT machines have special feet which are designed to absorb the shock as well. Although, nothing can fully combat the power of Mother Nature and sometimes there is nothing any computer company can do to avoid wasting product. I asked if the SMT machines were able to detect an earthquake and then shut off instantly but that type of technology is yet to be developed.

The SMT line is intelligent enough to determine if a RAM chip is faulty or not. That is, if the pins on the back of the RAM chip are broken or is unable to make proper electrical connection with the PCB. Quite amazingly, these chips are automatically dropped into the pink tray you can see below. These chips will then be sent back to one of TEAM Group’s many chip suppliers to be replaced.