In the world of automated semiconductor packaging, units-per-hour (UPH) and throughput are not just simple functions of any one machine’s axis speed – rather they are the result of a much more complicated formula used to calculate the return on investment of semiconductor packaging equipment. In many scenarios, the potential maximum speed of a single system as documented in a brochure will be quite far away from the actual number of units produced. Throughput is a balance of many factors, including machine uptime, production yield, and serviceability/usability.

By understanding these major factors, it is possible to calculate the true throughput for a given product and what machine specifications and capabilities are actually most important to pay attention to.