Linton Crystal Technologies needed a vertical crystal growth furnace fully deinstalled and prepared for relocation at their Rochester, NY, facility.
But the timeline was fixed. With only the working days between Christmas and New Year available, the furnace had to be fully deinstalled and ready for removal before year-end.
Working alongside the Linton team, a local rigging contractor, and a crane operator, our role was to coordinate and execute the complete deinstallation (including managing the disassembly, protection, and packing of all components onto skids) within just a three-day timeframe. Learn more about IES equipment deinstallation and relocation services.
Here’s how we did it.
Defining the scope
Linton’s Czochralski (CZ) silicon crystal pulling furnaces are built to produce the highest quality silicon ingots at some of the industry’s fastest speeds, lowest costs and largest formats.
These ingots are used in the production of semiconductor wafers, solar cells, and high-reliability electronics for applications such as satellites and advanced integrated circuits.
These systems are engineered for stability and precision during operation, not for relocation. As a result, the furnace de-installation required a controlled, top-down disassembly sequence, with strict attention to load transfer, balance points, and component protection.
We carried out a detailed site survey in advance, bringing together our lead engineer, the Linton Crystal project manager, and our appointed local rigging contractor. Learn more about IES upfront planning and project management.
From there, we put our plan together.
We were able to define the full scope of work, confirm handling constraints, and establish a clear execution strategy.
We would use a 15-ton carry deck crane operating within the building to support modular disassembly, a 45/60 Versa-Lift to handle the base magnet assembly, and custom-designed skids with vapor barrier bags to protect the components during handling and transport.
To meet the compressed schedule, we structured the work so that packing could run in parallel with disassembly, maintaining progress across all stages and avoiding downtime between activities.
Managing the disassembly process
Between our engineers, Linton’s team, the rigging crew and the crane operator, we had everyone working toward the same goal from day one.
Disassembly ran top-down. With the crane taking the load on each module, we could safely carry out the mechanical disconnection, starting with the top chamber, working down through the column section by section, and finishing with the heavy magnet assembly at the base.
Some sections needed the use of both a crane and a forklift working together to transition them from vertical to horizontal so they could be safely moved.
The crane maintained the load while the forklift controlled the tilt, ensuring a controlled transition to horizontal. Once set down, each component was re-slung as required and lifted clear. A successful step of lifting and rigging complex equipment.
Protecting each component for transport
As each component was rigged, it went straight to the packing team. We’d already started on the pre-disassembled components and spares that were ready to go, so the packing process was running in parallel throughout.
Every module was stretch-wrapped and sealed in vapor barrier bags. Desiccant was added inside the bag to absorb moisture, helping prevent corrosion and the deterioration of sensitive components. This is particularly important for equipment that will eventually go back into a precision manufacturing environment.
Each module was then secured to skids to protect the equipment, whether it went straight into reinstallation or storage.
Delivered in three days
Everything was deinstalled, packed and on skids within three days.
The Linton team were pleased with how it went, and the equipment was subsequently loaded out for transport in January without issue.
“IES Inc. performed flawlessly. If we’re in the area in the future, our rigging needs will be exclusively with IES Inc.” – Senior Field Service Engineer, Linton Crystal Technologies
Our upfront planning had ensured that once on site, execution could proceed in a controlled sequence to meet the fixed timeline, showing why IES are so trusted by leading technology manufacturers.