Patent ID: 6757577
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: G05B,Y02P

Abstract:
A method for managing within a fabrication facility a work-in-process (WIP) workload comprising:providing a fabrication facility comprising: a minimum of one pre-process tool, which in turn provides an available work-in-process (WIP) pre-process rate; a minimum of one buffer tool, which in turn provides an available work-in-process (WIP) buffer capacity; and a minimum of one post-process tool, which in turn provides an available work-in-process (WIP) post-process rate, wherein a work in process (WIP) workload within the fabrication facility is sequentially pre-processed within the minimum of one pre-process tool, buffered as needed within the minimum of one buffer tool pending availability of the minimum of one post-process tool, and then post processed within the minimum of one post-process tool; and determining for the fabrication facility a buffer tool tolerance time predicated upon the available work-in-process (WIP) pre-process rate, the available work-in-process (WIP) buffer capacity and the available work-in-process (WIP) post process rate, beyond which buffer tool tolerance time the available work-in-process (WIP) buffer capacity, is exceeded when operating the fabrication facility.