Cost Analysis for a Multiple Product / Multiple Process Factory: Application of SEMATECH's Future Factory Design Methodology

Authors:

Eileen Neacy - Motorola
Norman Abt - National Semiconductor
Steven Brown - Siemens
Michael McDavid - Texas Instruments
Jennifer Robinson - Chance & Robinson, Inc.
Scot Srodes - Motorola
Tim Stanley - Motorola

Abstract:

SEMATECH's Future Factory Design group used a discrete event simulator and SEMATECH's cost models to assess the cost of processing multiple product flows in a 0.25 micron design rule factory. In this paper, start levels of 10,000 wafers per month and 20,000 wafers per month were examined. Multiple process flow scenarios were compared to single process flow factories to estimate relative cost. Similarities of the flows, impact of setup schemes and effects of dispatch, equipment dedication, and batching were assessed.

The results illustrate the dynamic effects of product mix on factory output. Effects on total factory performance including cost, cycle time, and equipment set attributes are discussed. The modeling tools that were used in this analysis are extremely valuable for assessing new factories or specific changes to existing factories.