Abstract:
A method for performing a synchronized order change in a manufacturing process is provided. An order is associated with an order number and a work in process (WIP) number, which identifies a physical lot corresponding to the order. The synchronized order change maintains a relationship between the order number and the WIP number while making the change. This avoids the need to scrap lots that are no longer associated with an order number and prevents holds from being placed on incorrect lots.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to managing work flow in a manufacturing system such as a semiconductor manufacturing system, and more particularly to a system and method for synchronizing an order change in the manufacturing system. 
     Manufacturing systems, such as semiconductor manufacturing systems, generally use multi-step processes that result in a finished product. The steps frequently occur in a fixed order. For example, such a process may begin when a customer places an order with a customer service or sales representative, who assigns an order number to the order. The order may also be assigned a work in process (WIP) number, which is used to identify a lot (e.g., a physical batch of goods) that corresponds to the order. The order number and WIP number are then matched after manufacturing is completed and the order is shipped to the customer associated with the order number. 
     Because of the complex and often automated nature of modern manufacturing systems, it may be difficult to alter or stop an order once the lot associated with the order has entered the manufacturing process. For example, if a customer changes an order for semiconductor devices, current practices frequently involves changing the old order with a new product name. However, the modification of the old order may result in losing track of the original related lot and so the original lot may be treated as an excess lot because the WIP device name no longer corresponds to a device name in the order. Furthermore, if there are multiple orders, a change in one of the orders may result in a hold being placed on an order. However, the incorrect order may be held, which delays the production of the incorrect order and may allow the order that should be changed to continue to completion. These scenarios are obviously not desirable from either a profit or inventory standpoint. 
     In the semiconductor manufacturing process, due to its nature of long time periods, multiple processing steps, multiple processing locations, any inconsistency in the labeling for the manufactured lots that happens at any time can cause severe consequences including unnecessary financial costs to the manufacturing company. In addition, administrators of the manufacturing process will have to spend much more time to resolve the inconsistency manually. 
     Therefore, certain improvements are desired for manufacturing processes. For example, it is desired to better adapt to changes to an order that are made once the order has entered a manufacturing process. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a method for synchronizing at least one order change request in a manufacturing system is provided, where the order is associated with an order number and a work in process (WIP) number identifying a physical manufacturing lot. The method comprises freezing a relationship between the order number and the WIP number upon receipt of the order change request and providing at least one order change option based on the order change request. A match code associated with the order change option is identified and the order number and the WIP number are updated using the match code, so that the WIP number is synchronized with the order number. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating an order transaction flow where a lot is scrapped after an order change occurs because the lot&#39;s WIP number no longer corresponds to a valid order number. 
     FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating an order transaction flow where a lot hold is placed against an incorrect lot. 
     FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of an order transaction flow using a synchronized order change process to maintain a relationship between a lot and an order number. 
     FIG. 4 is an exemplary computer on which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates generally to synchronizing an order change in a manufacturing system. It is understood, however, that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, a method  10  illustrates an order transaction flow where a lot is scrapped after an order change occurs because the lot&#39;s work in process (WIP) number no longer corresponds to a valid order number. The method  10  begins in step  12  when a customer places an order. For purposes of illustration, the order is for semiconductor chips, but it is understood that the order may be in any area of manufacturing. The order is associated with an order number (e.g.,  1234 A) and a lot handle notice is issued in step  14 . Associated with the lot handle notice is a WIP number (e.g.,  1234 A) that relates a physical lot with the order number. Assuming the manufacturing process is allowed to continue to completion, the order number and the WIP number would be matched to identify the customer to whom the lot belongs. However, if the order is changed before completion, problems may arise. 
     In step  16 , the customer submits an order change after a hold/release decision on the lot has been made. In the present example, the order change is accomplished by submitting a new order (e.g.,  1234 B), which invalidates the original order number  1234 A. However, there is still a lot associated with the WIP number  1234 A. As there is no valid order associated with the WIP  1234 A, the lot cannot be linked to an order and is scrapped. Because there is no lot with a WIP matching the new order number, a new lot with WIP  1234 B is initiated in step  18  to fill the order. Accordingly, the method  10  results in wasted resources and may result in inventory imbalances. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, a method  20  illustrates an order transaction flow where a lot is delayed because a hold is placed on an incorrect lot. The method  20  begins in step  22  when a customer places an order. As described in FIG. 1, the order is for semiconductor chips, but it is understood that the order may be in any area of manufacturing. The order is associated with an order number (e.g.,  1234 A) and a lot handle notice is issued in step  24 . Associated with the lot handle notice is a WIP number that corresponds to the order number (e.g.,  1234 A). In step  26 , other orders may be entered by returning to step  24 , and issuing additional order and WIP numbers. It is understood that orders may be entered at any time, although this is not explicitly shown in FIG.  2 . For purposes of illustration, a second order is entered and assigned the order and WIP numbers  1234 B. 
     In step  28 , an administrator/operator in the manufacturing process submits an order change for the lot  1234 A. This change may occur, for example, after an initial hold/release decision on the lot has been made. In response to the order change, one of the lots is held (e.g., halted at its present position in the manufacturing process). However, because there are multiple orders in the system for the same customer, the hold is mistakenly placed on lot  1234 B. This results in the situation of step  30 , where the lot  1234 B (which should not be changed) is delayed, while the lot  1234 A (which should be changed) is allowed to continue through the manufacturing process. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, a method  32  illustrates an order transaction flow where a synchronized order change procedure is used to ensure that the order and WIP numbers remain associated with the proper lot even if the order is changed. The method  32  begins in step  34  when a customer places an order. The order is associated with an order number (e.g.,  1234 A) and a lot handle notice is issued in step  36  and sent to a lot handling system. Associated with the lot handle notice is a WIP number that corresponds to the order number (e.g.,  1234 A). 
     In the present example, in step  38 , the administrators such as a sales agent may change the order at any time in the manufacturing process (e.g., before or after a release/hold decision, before a pilot lot is released, etc.). When such an order change is detected, the lot handling system generates a “pending task” message and freezes the relationship between the WIP and order numbers in step  40 . This ensures that neither of the WIP or order numbers will be changed separately, and so avoids losing track of the relationship between the numbers in the system. Furthermore, the lot handling system may accomplish these tasks in real time by using, for example, an event driven extensible markup language interface and messaging system. 
     A user (e.g., a customer service representative, a sales representative, or other authorized individual) may then select the pending task and receive suggestions for updating the order in step  42 . In step  44 , when the order is updated, a number of sub-processes may be invoked. For example, updating the order may involve inheriting or generating a new match code, updating the order and WIP numbers using the match code, and sending a confirmation notice regarding the updated order. In some embodiments, the match code may be automatically updated if a status of the WIP number corresponds to a hold status, a release status, or a new part status. If desired, the synchronized order change process may monitor, alter, or override decisions made by the user if, for example, the user fails to follow the suggestions presented in step  42 . 
     In step  46 , a master production schedule (e.g., a production schedule specifying specific items, quantities, and dates at which production is expected to take place) may be updated and confirmed. Accordingly, the order change may be accomplished while synchronizing the order and WIP numbers. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary computer  50 , such as may be used to accomplish the synchronized order change process of FIG. 3, is illustrated. The computer  50  may include a central processing unit (“CPU”)  52 , a memory unit  54 , an input/output (“I/O”) device  56 , and a network interface  58 . The components  52 ,  54 ,  56 , and  58  are interconnected by a bus system  60 . It is understood that the computer may be differently configured and that each of the listed components may actually represent several different components. 
     The computer  50  may be connected to a network  62  via the network interface  58 . For example, the network  62  may connect various portions of a manufacturing facility. Because the computer  50  may be connected to the network  62 , certain components may, at times, be shared with other computers (not shown). Accordingly, the method  32  of FIG. 3 may be stored and executed solely on the computer  50  or may be divided among multiple computers and accessible via the network  62 . In addition, the network  62  may comprise the bus system  60  and so the various components  52 - 58  may be distributed through the network  62 . 
     The present invention provides a solution to solve labeling inconsistency problem in a lengthy manufacturing process. It can provide sales force with real time order information, and avoids wasting resources to produces redundant product lots. If necessary, a report can be run on a daily basis (or even an hourly basis) to keep the administrators of the manufacturing process informed continuously. This would help a much more efficient product planning process. 
     While the preceding description shows and describes one or more embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the claims should be interpreted in a broad manner, consistent with the present disclosure.