What Happens After an MPW Run? Engineering Sample Logistics After Tapeout.

After a semiconductor MPW (Multi-Project Wafer) run, companies receive initial silicon (A0/B0) that must be tracked, managed, and distributed globally. This process—known as engineering sample logistics—includes lot tracking, revision control, dev kit assembly, and international shipping to engineers, OEMs, and partners.

Without a structured system, this stage can slow validation, delay customer engagement, and create traceability risks.

What is an MPW Run in Semiconductors?

A Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) allows multiple semiconductor companies to share fabrication costs by placing multiple chip designs on a single wafer.

Learn more:

MPW runs are commonly used for:

• A0 silicon (first silicon)

• early validation

• prototype testing

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What Happens After Tapeout?

After tapeout and fabrication at foundries like:

• Taiwan Semiconductor - https://www.tsmc.com

• Global Foundries - https://gf.com
  

your wafers move to OSAT providers such as:

• ASE Global - https://aseglobal.com

• Amkor Technologies - https://amkor.com

These companies handle:

• packaging

• testing

• shipment preparation

At this point, you receive:

• packaged ICs

• engineering samples

• limited, high-value inventory

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The Engineering Sample Logistics Problem

Once silicon arrives, the real operational challenge begins.

Most fabless semiconductor companies don't have a dedicated logistics team. Engineering samples, evaluation boards, and dev kits often need to be received from OSAT partners, shipped worldwide to engineers, OEM partners, and distributors.

Common challenges include:

• Receiving international chip shipments

• Managing small-batch engineering samples for multiple partners and splitting shipments

• Shipping dev kits to engineers globally with additional kitted components from different vendors

• Special delicate and detailed handling to split and combine shipments

• Handling international documentation

• Tracking inventory by Lot / Batch, revision (A0, B0, etc), and serialization

• documenting and insuring high dollar delicate shipments

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WORKFLOW and TRACKING

1. Global Engineering Sample Distribution

You must ship samples to:

• engineers

• OEMs

• partners

• universities
  

Each shipment requires:

• correct revision (A0 vs B0)

• correct quantity

• controlled access

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2. Lot, Batch, and Revision Tracking

Each chip must be tracked by:

• wafer lot

• assembly batch

• silicon revision

  
  

This ensures:

• traceability

• debugging accuracy

• controlled distribution

• 
  

This is where semiconductor engineering sample fulfillment becomes critical:https://www.fulfillmentco.com/engineering-sample-fulfillment

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3. Managing High-Value, Low-Volume Inventory

Unlike traditional fulfillment:

• inventory is limited

• units are high value

• errors are costly

Even small mistakes can delay:

• validation cycles

• customer testing

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4. Dev Kit and Evaluation Board Fulfillment

Many companies must also:

• assemble evaluation kits

• combine components from multiple vendors

• ship complete dev kits

This requires structured kitting and assembly services:https://www.fulfillmentco.com/engraving-blister-clamshell-packaging

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5. International Shipping and Compliance

Engineering samples are shipped globally and require:

• fast delivery

• accurate documentation

• NDA-controlled distribution

Why Engineering Sample Logistics Slows Down Teams

Without a system, companies rely on:

• spreadsheets

• manual tracking

• engineers handling logistics

This creates bottlenecks right after tapeout—when speed matters most.

What a Scalable Semiconductor Logistics System Looks Like

To scale after MPW, companies need:

✅ Lot / Batch Tracking

✅ Revision Control (A0, B0, etc.)

✅ Serialization

✅ Controlled Sample Distribution

✅ Inventory Visibility

✅ Dev Kit Fulfillment

Post-MPW Logistics Workflow

Typical flow:

Tapeout→ MPW Run→ OSAT Packaging→ Engineering Samples Received→ Inventory & Lot Tracking→ Dev Kit Assembly→ Global Distribution

Where Fulfillment CO Fits In

Fulfillment CO supports fabless semiconductor companies by:

• receiving MPW and OSAT shipments

• tracking by lot, revision, and serialization

• assembling engineering kits

• shipping globally

  
  

If you’ve recently completed tapeout, it’s time to build your semiconductor fulfillment workflow

Final Thoughts

MPW runs accelerate innovation—but without proper logistics, they introduce operational complexity.

Companies that move fastest after tapeout treat engineering sample logistics as a core system, not an afterthought.