Learn how Gore developed an innovative solution that provides industry-leading particle protection and acoustic performance to help the world’s largest smartphone OEM and MEMS microphone manufacturers solve a critical predicament.
Case Study
woman speaks into a smartphone

Challenge

In 2018, the world’s largest smartphone OEM found themselves in an unfortunate situation: In the months following the initially successful launch of a new addition to their top selling smartphone line, they received heavy returns for the new product. The reason for these returns: The microphones – an absolute core technology for every smartphone and basic requirement for calls, listening to music or anything else related to acoustics – didn’t work properly. At the time, the extensive media coverage on the product failures intensified the pressure on the OEM. Their good reputation was at stake.

When the smartphone OEM analyzed the problem, they quickly realized that the issue needed to be addressed by a MEMS microphone manufacturer since it was a contamination issue. One manufacturer saw the opportunity to become a supplier for the OEM by helping them solve this contamination issue. Knowing that Gore, with all our acoustic engineering expertise, would be able to help them, the manufacturer immediately contacted us for support.

Sophia Y Zhang / Product Specialist

Solution

To find a solution, Gore took a step back to look at the problem. First, we invested the necessary time to understand the customer’s needs. We knew that the solution needed to be perfect, as the OEM could not afford another slip-up.

Gore then found that current methods used by manufacturers to protect MEMS microphones from particles can cause performance degradation – leading to significant yield losses and higher manufacturing costs since sub-assembly circuit boards and components needed to be scrapped or reworked. Technical challenges during high-volume assembly of printed circuit boards can jeopardize the integrity of MEMS microphones.

With these insights, Gore developed a yet-to-be-matched solution that provides industry-leading protection from particles, excellence acoustic performance and can be installed without any special handling during circuit board assembly: GORE® MEMS Protective Vent Style 200.

The Technology Behind the Solution: GORE® MEMS Protective Vent Style 200 

The solution used to help the smartphone OEM in need was GORE® MEMS Protective Vent Style 200 for microphone manufacturers. These are just a few benefits of the product:

  • High protection against particles, high filtration efficiency
  • High acoustic transparency with minimal transmission loss
  • Can be auto-installed inside the MEMS microphone during the microphone packaging process
  • Parts are digitally mapped in a wafer format
  • Compatibility with high-speed die attach equipment, so no extra equipment investment is needed for the installation
  • Accommodation of very small form factors to suit small components and devices

For specifications and more detailed information on installation, please visit GORE® MEMS Protective Vents.

After we introduced our solution to the MEMS manufacturer, we spent every week onsite to give extensive support. This way, if an unforeseen problem came up, we could solve it calmly, quickly and efficiently.

Sophia Y Zhang / Product Specialist

Result

With the help of the Gore team, the OEM’s MEMS microphone manufacturer was able to present a suitable solution to the smartphone company. The OEM had to choose whether to implement the innovative GORE® MEMS Protective Vent Style 200 or to stick with their current protection method that caused failure and returns. Of course, they chose to go with Gore. Here are the wins:

  • The return rate of the smartphone model dropped
  • Potential reputational damage was averted
  • The MEMS manufacturer entered the project, gained reputation and became a qualified supplier in this OEM account
  • Yield loss was minimized from thousands PPM to almost 0, which significantly improved cost efficiency
  • Our expertise, the stable quality and stable supply chain of GORE® MEMS Protective Vents have laid the foundation for successful long-term cooperation

We’ve cultivated a great relationship with the manufacturer we developed GORE® MEMS Protective Vent with. We continue to develop new solutions and improve our products together. Gore is always there to help them meet their needs.

Sophia Y Zhang / Product Specialist

FOR INDUSTRIAL USE ONLY 

Not for use in food, drug, cosmetic or medical device manufacturing, processing, or packaging operations.