FAQs: Manufacturing Execution Solutions

How does automated manufacturing work in the semiconductor industry?

The semiconductor industry uses automated manufacturing to integrate multiple factory systems (such as those that track lots, processes, scheduling, and distribution) to improve the accuracy and quality of data and communication.

Automated manufacturing solutions can improve productivity and quality while reducing overall costs. Among the many ways they do so is by enabling improved collaboration in one factory or across sites, providing accurate insights into equipment states for better tool management, and managing scheduling solutions using real-time data.

The manufacturing execution system is the operational backbone of many semiconductor factories and can help monitor, control, and optimize production processes in real-time. MES manufacturing software can help improve a semiconductor factory’s processes and product quality. Because of its ability to predict and analyze events, it also helps manufacturers make informed decisions more quickly.

Factories of all sizes can benefit from deploying a manufacturing execution system, whether they are just getting started with automated manufacturing or looking to go lights out. MES manufacturing software integrates with additional systems as the factory and its automation needs grow.

The Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) system can control every part of the production process. The MES is at the heart of the CIM, its foundation. A properly configured MES defines and coordinates all processing within even the most basic manufacturing. Additional capabilities can be added to and integrated with the MES over time to enable richer functionality in the CIM system as a manufacturer’s needs evolve.

A Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) solution allows manufacturers to define, control, automate, monitor, and record the entire semiconductor manufacturing process from front-end wafer fabrication through back-end assembly, test, and packaging.

Yes, the MES software integrates multiple factory systems (such as those that track lots, processes, scheduling, and distribution) to improve the accuracy and quality of data and communication. MES manufacturing software can help improve cycle time by providing real-time visibility, automating data collection, using predictive analytics, improving communication and collaboration, and optimizing production processes.

Computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) can effectively manage planned, scheduled, and unscheduled maintenance activities. A CMMS optimizes the management of overall inventory levels, improves equipment availability, and decreases labor and parts costs.

Supply chain enterprise planning helps a semiconductor fab manage its resources to its greatest advantage. This helps manufacturers respond to customer forecast changes and improve on-time delivery and responsiveness. An effective supply chain enterprise planning solution can gather and load all necessary planning data and quickly generate supply plans using proven, high speed data extraction and processing.