Patent Publication Number: US-2021168979-A1

Title: Method and system for improving the operation of semiconductor processing

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to tracking parts that are utilized in a semiconductor processing system and more particularly to improving the operation of a semiconductor processing system with part tracking data. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Parts that are utilized in a processing chamber of a semiconductor processing tool have a substantial impact on the performance characteristics of the tool. When a tool operator is able to purchase chamber parts from a reputable source, the processing performance of the chamber can be predictable, as the quality and performance of the parts are known. 
     However, not all sources will provide parts with predictable performance. A tool operator may seek to save money or time by purchasing parts that they cannot verify the provenance of, purchase used components or purchase parts from other part suppliers than those recommended by the semiconductor tool manufacturer. As a result, a purchased part may not meet the performance expectations of the tool operator. 
     Adding to this complication, many parts of a semiconductor processing chamber must be cleaned after a certain amount of use, as residual material buildup occurs. This build-up changes the performance characteristics of a part that will eventually impact chamber performance, resulting in excursions and defects in the semiconductor devices produced in the chamber. As such, these parts must occasionally be sent to a vendor for cleaning, and possibly repair if the part is damaged. Typically, a replacement part is used in the semiconductor processing chamber, to replace the part that is out for cleaning. When such a part returns from cleaning, it may be stocked for later use or put back into service within the chamber. 
     Additionally, parts are retired as they reach the end of their useful lives, resulting in replacement. 
     Changes in chamber performance, or diagnosing performance issues, after a part has been replaced are difficult to determine, due to an incomplete understanding of the source and attributes of a replaced part. This is complicated further by a large number of replaceable parts in a chamber. 
     Therefore, there is a need for improved tracking of chamber parts and their performance attributes, to improve the operation of semiconductor processing tools. 
     What is needed is a method to track chamber parts from a supplier, authenticate the source of the parts, reliably document the chamber configuration that composed of the parts, while maintaining a record of their status and use history, in an automated manner, so that the operation of semiconductor processing tools may be improved. 
     SUMMARY 
     Certain embodiments provide a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor of a processing system, cause the processing system to perform a method for improving operation of a semiconductor processing system. The method generally includes receiving a tracking data for a part, the tracking data comprising a part identifier, and receiving a status data for the part, the status data comprising a condition of the part. The method further includes updating a chamber configuration of a chamber of a semiconductor processing tool, the configuration comprising a listing of a plurality of parts composing the chamber, the chamber configuration comprising the part identifier and condition of the part. The method further includes generating an updated condition of the part upon detection of operation of the semiconductor processing tool, and providing the status data for the part comprising the updated condition. 
     Some embodiments provide a method for tracking a part of a semiconductor processing tool. The method generally includes receiving a tracking data for a part, the tracking data comprising a part identifier, and receiving a status data for the part, the status data comprising a condition of the part. The method further includes updating a chamber configuration of a chamber of a semiconductor processing tool, the configuration comprising a listing of a plurality of parts composing the chamber, the chamber configuration comprising the part identifier and condition of the part. The method further includes generating an updated condition of the part upon detection of operation of the semiconductor processing tool, and providing the status data for the part comprising the updated condition. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that the manner in which the above-recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, and may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a system for tracking a part and its status, to improve the operation of a semiconductor processing tool, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a process for tracking a part and its status, to improve the operation of a semiconductor processing tool, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a method for improving the operation of semiconductor processing, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a processing system for improving the operation of semiconductor processing, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following, reference is made to embodiments of the disclosure. However, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to specifically described embodiments. Instead, any combination of the following features and elements, whether related to different embodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and practice the disclosure. Furthermore, although embodiments of the disclosure may achieve advantages over other possible solutions and/or over the prior art, whether or not a particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment is not limiting of the disclosure. Thus, the following aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages are merely illustrative and are not considered elements or limitations of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s). Likewise, a reference to “the disclosure” shall not be construed as a generalization of any inventive subject matter disclosed herein and shall not be considered to be an element or limitation of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s). 
     The present disclosure is directed to a system and method to identify and track parts of a semiconductor processing chamber, as well as the status of the parts, and store status information in a centralized location as status changes over time. 
     When a part is received, the part itself or a label accompanying the part is scanned to acquire a tracking code and a status code. The tracking code is used to identify the part (e.g., what type of part) as well as its supplier. In embodiments, a part serial number, part number, and supplier identifier are used to authenticate that the part is from a particular manufacturer. 
     The status code is used to show the current state of the part by coupling the part to a database that stores both the current state and condition history. When a part is new and first received by a customer, its status is new, and it has no use history as the new part has not been used in any semiconductor processing. After the part has been used in processing, its status is updated, for example, with the number of wafers were processed using the part, information on the process with which the part was used, and a chamber configuration of which the part was used in. 
     When the tracking code and status code of a part is scanned into a semiconductor processing tool (“tool”), a chamber configuration is updated to show the part in the tool, the status of the part, and if the part is authenticated to a supplier approved by the tool manufacturer, a part identifier may appear in the chamber configuration display. A central server is updated with this information as well. If the part is not authenticated, the tool will still operate but the part will not display in the chamber configuration. For non-authenticated parts, the part status and history are not available in some embodiments. 
     As the part is used in the tool, the part status is updated to reflect the processing of the tool in which it is installed, and a part condition history will be stored as well as the status changes. This information may be stored in the tool as well as the central server. 
     When a part is due for a cleaning, the tool operator will remove the part from the chamber, scanning it with the part scanner to identify the removed part and capture its current status (as stored in the tool or the central server), for example, with a bar code label to be placed on the part packaging. Part status and the change in the chamber configuration may be provided to the central server as well. The part and its packaging are sent to a cleaning vendor who will scan the part labels, capturing the part ID and the part status data. Once cleaned, the cleaning vendor will scan the part label to capture the part ID and provide the part ID and an updated status to the central server. In some embodiments a printed to a bar code reflecting the updated status accompanies the part, such that when the tool operator receives the part, the updated status may be scanned into the tool. 
     By providing the ability to authenticate a part to an approved supplier, automatically track the part in the supply chain, know its status, and access its status history, the performance of chambers employing embodiments disclosed herein may be improved. In addition to providing increased performance and predictability in the operation of a semiconductor processing tool, should a technical problem arise, embodiments disclosed can reduce the time and resources needed to diagnose and resolve that problem. 
     Example System According to Embodiments 
       FIG. 1  depicts a system  100  for tracking a part and its status, to improve the operation of a semiconductor processing tool, according to an embodiment. A part, for purposes of embodiments, is one or more components of a semiconductor processing chamber of a semiconductor processing tool (loon  110 . By way of example and not limitation, such a part could include a gasket, an o-ring, a showerhead, a component of a showerhead, a faceplate/component of a faceplate, a focus ring, a nozzle, a chamber component shield, a manifold, an isolator, a gas box, a heater, or any other component, or assembly of components, of a semiconductor processing chamber. 
     Part scanner  102  is provided to obtain information from a part or a label accompanying the part, and is communicatively coupled to the tool  110  via one or more of a PC controller, a factory interface, a system controller, or other system associated with a tool  110 . Additional part scanners  102  may be coupled to a central server  138  (discussed below), and to systems located at parts suppliers, and vendors (e.g., cleaning vendors). 
     By way of example, the part scanner  102  obtains information identifying a part from a tracking code  106 . The tracking code  106  may comprise a bar code, a QR code, an RFID code, a string of numbers and/or letters (or other symbols), or other instrumentality that may carry or encode a unique identifier for a part. The tracking code  106  includes a part number, a part serial number, and a supplier ID. One or more of the part number, part serial number, and supplier ID are combined into a unique identification code via a hash algorithm. The tracking code  106  may be engraved in the part, or be affixed to the part or part packaging via a label. In some embodiments, the shape of the part itself can be a component of the tracking code and scanned in via an optical sensor of the part scanner  102 . Information such as part number, serial number, and supplier ID associated with tracking code  106  is stored within a semiconductor processing tool  110  (“tool”) and/or the central server  138 . The part scanner  102  may be configured to produce the tracking code in the form of a label (e.g., barcode, QR code, RFID code), receiving the tracking code information from one of the tool  110  and the central server  138 . 
     The part scanner obtains status information of a part from a status code  108 . The status code  108 , can be one of a bar code, a QR code, an RFID code, a string of letters and/or numbers (or other symbols), or other instrumentality capable of conveying or encoding status data of the part, discussed below, and may be on the same label as the tracking code  106  The status data is stored within at least one of the semiconductor processing tool  110  and the central server  138 . The part scanner  102  is configured to produce the status code in the form of a label (e.g., barcode, QR code, RFID code) in some embodiments, capable of receiving the status code from the tool  110  and/or the central server  138 . 
     The part scanner  102  in embodiments further include an authenticator  104 . The authenticator  104  receives the tracking code  106 , decodes it using the hash algorithm, to a part number, a part serial number, and a supplier ID, that in turn are compared to known part number/serial number/supplier ID combinations in the tool  110  or central server  138 , to authenticate the part. An authenticated part, in some embodiments, is a part that has been approved for use in the tool by a tool manufacturer. However, even if a part is not authenticated, the part may still be used in the tool. For non-authenticated parts, part information, status, condition history, and other data, and analytics that rely on that data may not be available, and thus not displayed to a user. In some embodiments, this information is not available for a chamber  134  with non-authenticated parts. 
     The part scanner  102  at a customer location communicates directly to the tool  110 , via a wired or wireless connection. The part scanner  102  may additionally communicate with the central server  138  via the tool  110 , or through a separate secure wired or wireless connection. In embodiments in which the part scanner  102  is at a supplier or a cleaning vendor location, the part scanner  102  either directly or indirectly communicates the tracking code  106  and/or the status code  108  with the tool  110  and/or the central server  138 . 
     In some embodiments, the part scanner  102  is a dedicated scanning device, while in other embodiments the scanning function may be carried out by a device whose primary function is not scanning parts, such as a mobile computing device (e.g., mobile phone, tablet, etc.). 
     The semiconductor processing tool  110  may be any type of semiconductor processing equipment, a heterogeneous or homogeneous collection of such equipment, or a production facility comprised of a plurality of semiconductor processing tools. 
     The tool  110  stores part data  112 . Part data  112  includes tracking data  114  that includes a part identifier  116 . In embodiments, part identifier  116  includes a part number, a part serial number, and a supplier ID, that are acquired from the tracking code  106  via the part scanner. If the part scanner  102  is missing or unavailable, the tracking code  106  or part identifier  116  may be entered into the memory of the tool  110 , or that of the central server  138 , by user entry via a keyboard, pointing device (e.g., a mouse), or voice input. In some embodiments, part identifier  116  may be authenticated on the tool  110  in a manner similar to authenticator  104  of the scanner, while in other embodiments authentication may occur on the central server  138 , again, in a manner similar to authenticator  104 . 
     In embodiments, part data  112  further includes status data  118 . Status data  118  stores or encodes information pertaining to the condition of a part. Status data  118  includes a part condition  120  and a part Key Performance Characteristic (KPC)  122 , and may include additional data reflecting the status of a part. 
     Part condition  120  includes information regarding the physical condition of the part, data regarding the number of wafers a chamber configuration  126  comprising the part has processed, processing conditions of the chamber  134  to which the part has been exposed. Part condition  120  may additionally include whether or not a part is clean, RF hours, wafer count, number of times the part has been refurbished, and may include data reflecting calculations of buildup/wear on the part based upon process conditions. 
     Part KPC  122  includes one or more attributes of the part, such as one or more of flatness, roughness, and thickness of a part at the time of placement in the chamber configuration  126  (e.g., initial use of a new or cleaned part) or estimated as a result of processing conditions in the tool  110 . Part KPC  122  may additionally include equipment condition (e.g., in terms of operating temperature parameters, time in operation, and the like) for production and/or cleaning of the part. At least a portion of the part condition  120  and/or part KPC  122  may be acquired from the status code  108 . Moreover, status data  118 , as well as part condition  120  and/or part KPC  122  may be communicated to the central server  138 , or receive updates to the part condition  120  and/or part KPC  122  from the central server  138 . 
     In embodiments, the tool  110  stores, or has access to, process data  124 . Process data  124  includes data on the semiconductor process employed in the processing of wafers in the tool  110 . This may include data on what type of process (e.g., CVD, PVD, epitaxial, ALD, etc.), the number of wafers processed, chamber  134  conditions generally, and/or within particular regions of the chamber  134  (e.g., temperature, pressure, gas flow rate, radiation density/intensity, RF signal strength, optical/visual data), wafer condition data, semiconductor device/structure data (e.g., metrology). Process data  124  is included as part of the part condition  120 . In some embodiments, process data  124  is be communicated to the central server  138 . 
     The tool  110  stores, or can access, a chamber configuration  126 . Chamber configuration  126  is a listing of parts present in a given chamber of the tool and includes part identifier  116  and/or status data  118  of one or more parts placed into the tool. The parts to which a particular part identifier  116  is associated with is placed into a physical processing chamber  134  of the tool  110 . A display  130  may be configured to visually indicate parts in the chamber configuration  126 , by displaying one or more of the part identifier  116 , part condition,  120 , and part KPC. As discussed above, a part may be non-authenticated, and in these embodiments, although the tool  110  may function, the non-authenticated part may not appear in the display  130 . 
     The tool  110  stores, or can access, tool analytics  128 . Tool analytics  128  includes data regarding the processing conditions of tool  110 , and in some embodiments receives data from one or more of part identifier  116 , part condition  120 , part KPC  122 , process data  124 , and chamber configuration  126 . Data included in tool analytics  128  may be displayed to a user via display  130 . In embodiments, tool analytics  128  includes one or more algorithms that use data from one or more part condition  120 , process data  124 , chamber configuration  126 , and metrology data  132  (discussed below) to predict when a part will need to be cleaned or replaced. 
     The system  100  may optionally store or access metrology data  132 , in communication with the tool  110 , obtained from one or more sensors  136  associated with the tool  110 , in connection with processing wafers in the chamber  134 . Metrology data  132  may be communicated to the central server  138  in some embodiments. 
     The central server  138  stores or can access part data  112 , part history data  140 , processing equipment analytics  142 , cleaning schedule calculation  144 , and remaining life calculation  146 . The central server  138  may accompany the tool  110  at a customer facility, or be located remotely at a different customer site, a vendor site, tool manufacturer facility, and accessed via a secure network. The central server  138  may be a single computer system, multiple computer systems (located together or distributed), or may be exist virtually in a cloud computing environment, or a combination of these. 
     Part history data  140  includes part condition history  148 . Part condition history  148  receives data from part condition  120 , as part condition  120  changes, storing the changes as time-series data. As discussed above, a part condition  120  may change as a result of a part being placed in an operating tool  110 , or by a cleaning vendor who updates the condition of the part after cleaning. The part condition history  148  keeps time series data of part condition  120 . 
     Part history data  140  includes part KPC history  150 . Similar to part condition history  148 , part KPC history  150  is time-series data of the part KPC  122 , updated as the part KPC  122  changes. 
     Part history data  140  includes part process history  152 . Part process history  152  is a time series record storing the process data  124  of the tool  110  during the time that the part was in the chamber configuration  126 . In some embodiments, only process data  124  related to the part is recorded in the part process history  152 , while in other embodiments, all process data  152  generated while the part was part of the chamber configuration  126  is recorded as part process history  152 . 
     Part history data  140  includes part configuration history  154 . Part configuration history  154  is a time series record storing the chamber configuration  126  of the tool  110  during the time that the part was part of the chamber configuration  126 , and may include one or more other parts that were in the chamber configuration  126  concurrently. 
     Processing equipment analytics  142  of the central server  138  takes as input one or more of part data  112 , part history data  140 , process data  124 , chamber configuration  126 , tool analytics  128  and metrology data  132 . Using this data, process equipment analytics  142  measure performance of a particular tool or class of tools, and generate recommendations to update a particular tool or class of tools, or their processes/recipes, to operate more effectively. 
     Central server  138 , in embodiments, includes the cleaning schedule calculation  144 . Although parts suppliers, tool manufacturers, and tool owners may estimate cleaning cycles for a given part that is used in a particular process, cleaning schedule calculation  144  may be used to more accurately determine when a part needs to be cleaned. Cleaning schedule calculation  144 , takes as input, for example, tracking data  114 , status data  118 , part history data  140 , and uses one or more of these components to identify an impact of the cleanliness of a part on a semiconductor processing step (or recipe) being run by the tool, to accurately determine when a part needs to be cleaned. This enables the tool operator to continue to operate the tool  110  as long as possible, or, identify potential problems with a part early, before losing too many wafers to excursions of defects. 
     In embodiments, central server  138  may include a remaining service life calculation  146 . Although parts suppliers, tool manufacturers, and tool owners may provide estimates as to when a part being used in the tool  110  should be retired, the actual service life of a part can vary depending upon the chamber configurations and semiconductor processes in which it has been a part of. Remaining service life calculation  146 , in embodiments, takes input data from one or more of part data  112  and part condition history  140 , and calculates the useful remaining life of a part, for example, in terms of the number of wafers to be processed. 
     Example Process According to Embodiments 
       FIG. 2  depicts a process  200  for tracking a part and its status, to improve the operation of a semiconductor processing tool, according to an embodiment. 
     At operation  205  the tracking data of a part is scanned into a semiconductor processing tool (“tool”). In some embodiments, the tracking data may alternatively, or additionally, be provided to a central server. 
     At operation  210  the tracking data is authenticated. This authentication, in some embodiments, may be based upon a part number, a serial number, a supplier ID. In other embodiments, other identifiers that may be used to identify a part that is static, such that they don&#39;t change over time, such as its physical shape, date of manufacture, place of manufacture, materials which make up its physical form. In embodiments, the data used to authenticate the part may be hashed to form a tracking code, that in turn may be stored as a bar code, QR code, RFID chip, or other media capable of being read by a scanner or other sensor. In alternative embodiments, a person may enter the tracking code into the tool via a keyboard, mouse, verbal command, or other I/O device capable of transmitting the code, via a user interface. 
     At operation  215 , a status code for the part is scanned into the tool. As discussed above, the status data may include the physical state of the part. In embodiments, the status data may be updated as the part is used in the processing of semiconductor products. 
     At operation  220 , the part is placed into a chamber configuration of the tool, updating the chamber to show that the part is in the tool. In embodiments, a part that has not been authenticated will not be identified in a display of the chamber configuration, but the tool will still be able to function using the non-authenticated part. 
     At operation  225 , the tool is operated to process semiconductor products. Process data and metrology data are collected as part of this operation. 
     At operation  230 , process data and metrology data are correlated to the parts in the chamber configuration. 
     At operation  235 , the status data of each part in the chamber configuration are updated to reflect the data correlated to each part. In some embodiments, all process and metrology data may be used to update the status data of each part, in addition to data that has been correlated to each part. 
     At operation  240 , a user provides the tracking data and status data to a vendor, such as a cleaning vendor. For example, the user may print the status data as a label that accompanies the part. 
     At operation  245 , the vendor services the part, for example, by cleaning the part. Once the service is provided, the vendor updates the status data. In some embodiments, the vendor provides the status data via a printed label, while in other embodiments the vendor updated status data is additionally, or alternatively, provided to a central server  138 , or to the tool  110 . 
     At operation  250  a determination is made, based on the status data if the part is at its end of life. If the determination is made that the part is at its end of life, the status data is updated to reflect this state, and the process proceeds to  255  at which the part is retired. Otherwise, the part is provided to a user, and the process proceeds to  205 . 
     Example Method According to Embodiments 
       FIG. 3  depicts a method  300  for improving the operation of semiconductor processing, according to an embodiment. 
     At operation  305  the method receives tracking data for a part, the tracking data comprising a part identifier. In embodiments, the method further comprises authenticating the part identifier, and upon successful authentication, displaying the part identifier to a user as part of the chamber configuration. In some embodiments, the method further comprises not displaying the part identifier as part of the chamber configuration upon unsuccessful authentication. In some embodiments receiving the part tracking data comprises receiving the part tracking data from a bar code scanner, and receiving the status data comprises receiving the status data from the bar code scanner. 
     At  310 , the method continues, receiving status data for the part, the status data comprising a condition of the part. In embodiments, the part condition is updated with one or process data, chamber configuration data, and metrology data. In embodiments, a part condition history may be updated with the updated condition. A cleaning schedule may be determined for the part based on the part condition history. In embodiments, the method further comprises storing at least one of the part condition and updated part condition in a central server. 
     The method continues at operation  315 , updating a chamber configuration of a chamber of a semiconductor processing tool, the configuration comprising a listing of a plurality of parts composing the chamber, the chamber configuration comprising the part identifier and condition of the part. In embodiments, the chamber configuration is stored in a central server. 
     The method continues at operation  320 , generating an updated condition for the part upon detection of the operation of the semiconductor processing tool. 
     The method continues at operation  325 , providing the status data for the part comprising the updated condition. 
     Example Processing System According to Embodiments 
       FIG. 4  depicts a processing system for improving the operation of semiconductor processing, according to an embodiment. 
     Processing system  400  includes a CPU  402  connected to a bus  416 . CPU  402  is configured to process computer-readable instructions, such as stored in memory  408  and/or storage  410  and to cause processing system  400  to perform methods as described herein, for example with respect to  FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 . CPU  402  is included to be representative of a single CPU, multiple CPU&#39;s, a single CPU having multiple processing cores, and other forms of processing architecture capable of executing computer-readable instructions. In some embodiments, CPU  402  may be located, in whole or in part, remotely and accessed via a network. 
     Processing system  400  includes an I/O device interface  404  to provide access to I/O devices  412  and a network interface  406  to provide access to a network  414 . 
     Processing system  400  further includes a memory  408 , which in embodiments includes a plurality of modules. 
     The processing system  400  may be a single system, however in embodiments comprises multiple discrete systems, such as described above with regard to part scanner  102 , tool  110 , metrology data  132 , and central server  138 . 
     By way of example, memory  408  includes a scanning module  410  that is configured to perform scanning operations as described above (e.g., with respect to  FIGS. 1, 2, 3 ). 
     Memory  408  further includes an authentication module  412  that is configured to perform authentication operations as described above. 
     Memory  408  further includes a part condition update module  414  that is configured to update a part condition as described above. 
     Memory  408  further includes a part KPC update module  416  that is configured to update a part KPC as described above. 
     Memory  408  further includes a process/equipment analytics module  418  that is configured to perform process/equipment analytics as described above. 
     Memory  408  further includes a process module  420  configured to perform tool processing operations as described above. 
     Memory  408  further includes a chamber configuration module  422  configured to perform chamber configuration operations as described above. 
     Memory  408  further includes tool analytics module  424  configured to perform tool analytics as described above. 
     Memory  408  further includes a cleaning schedule calculation module  426  configured to perform cleaning schedule calculations as described above. 
     Memory  408  further includes a remaining service life calculation module  428  configured to perform remaining service life calculations as described above. 
     Note that while shown as a single memory  408  in  FIG. 4  for simplicity, the various aspects stored in memory  408  may be stored in different physical memories, but all accessible to CPU  402  via internal data connections such as bus  416 . Alternatively, various aspects stored in memory  408  may be stored in one or more physical memories located outside of the processing system  400  and accessed via the network  414 . 
     Processing system  400  includes a storage  410 , which in embodiments includes a tracking code data store  430 . Tracking code data store  430  may be related to tracking code  106  of  FIG. 1 . 
     Storage  410  further includes a status code data store  432 , which may be related to status code  108 . 
     Storage  410  further includes a part data store  434 , which includes tracking data store  436 , part identifier data store  438 , status data store  440 , part condition data store  442 , and part KPC data store  444 . The part data store  434 , and its components may be related to part data  112 , tracking data  114 , part identifier  116 , status data  118 , part condition  120 , and part KPC  122 , respectively, of  FIG. 1 . 
     Storage  410  further includes a part history data store  446 , which includes part condition history data store  448 , part KPC history data store  450 , Part process history data store  452 , and part configuration history data store  154 . The part history data store  446 , and its components may be related to part history data  140 , part condition history  148 , part KPC history  150 , part process history  152 , and part configuration history  154 , respectively, of  FIG. 1 . 
     Storage  410  further includes a metrology data store  456 , which may be related to metrology data  132  of  FIG. 1 . 
     Storage  410  further includes a process data store  458 , which may be related to process data  124  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The preceding description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments described herein. The examples discussed herein are not limiting of the scope, applicability, or embodiments set forth in the claims. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. For example, changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements discussed without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Various examples may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, the methods described may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Also, features described with respect to some examples may be combined in some other examples. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover such an apparatus or method that is practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to, or other than, the various aspects of the disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim. 
     As used herein, the term “determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions. For example, “determining” may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining” may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, “determining” may include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing and the like. 
     The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for achieving the methods. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is specified, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims. Further, the various operations of methods described above may be performed by any suitable means capable of performing the corresponding functions. The means may include various hardware and/or software component(s) and/or module(s), including, but not limited to a circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or processor. Generally, where there are operations illustrated in figures, those operations may have corresponding counterpart means-plus-function components with similar numbering. 
     The following claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims. Within a claim, a reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims.