Abstract: The present invention has an object to prevent an automatic download from overlapping usage of the mobile communication terminal completely or as much as possible. In order to achieve the above-described objective, the present invention provides a mobile communication terminal includes: a wireless communication portion; and a control portion which downloads software via the wireless communication portion from a software distribution apparatus connected to a network, wherein the control portion, when an update operation is conducted by using the downloaded software, displays a screen indicating end of operations of system software of the mobile communication terminal.

Abstract: An electronic component mounting system includes plural mounting line systems, and an integrated system capable of communication with the plural mounting line systems. The mounting line systems have an electronic component mounting line, a mounting line management unit, and an identification information reading unit. If identification information read by the identification information reading unit is not stored in an integrated database, a component information reading unit included in the mounting line management unit reads from a local database the identification information and information about a use status of electronic components housed in an electronic component housing body to which the identification information is attached.

Abstract: A command value for moving a virtual machine is calculated according to a control program and based on model data of a virtual object (step S313, step S314) where the virtual machine corresponds to a machine and the virtual object is manipulated by the virtual machine in a virtual space and corresponds to an object; motion of the virtual machine which is moved in accordance with the calculated command value is calculated (step S315); motion of the virtual object which is moved in accordance with the calculated motion of the virtual machine (step S315); a virtual space image is generated (step S115) where the virtual space image is assumed to be acquired in the case where the calculated motion of the virtual machine or the calculated motion of the virtual object is virtually photographed; and the command value is calculated further based on the generated virtual space image (step S313, step S314).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electric tool, particularly a hand-held power tool, comprising a control unit which has control software with control parameters, and is provided for the purpose of controlling a drive unit. According to the disclosure, said electric tool comprises an interface unit that is provided to fundamentally update and/or modify the control software and/or the control parameters.

Abstract: A controller for controlling a machine tool and a robot includes a storage unit, configured to store an input machining program including a statement for machine tool and a statement for robot, and a machining program distribution unit configured to transfer the statement for machine tool, out of the statements for machine tool and statements for robot that are included in the stored machining program, to the machine tool control unit and to transfer the statement for robot to the robot control unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the system comprises: (a) a chassis; (b) one or more cards mounted in the chassis, each card having a plurality of switch ports, the plurality of switch ports being aligned in one or more columns; (c) an aggregator mounted adjacent the chassis, the aggregator having a plurality of bays, each bay being aligned with a card in the chassis, at least one of the bays having a faceplate comprising at least first and second aggregator ports aligned in a column; (d) at least first and second hydras, wherein each hydra comprises at least (i) a first connector; (ii) a plurality of second connectors; (iii) a plurality of conductors, each conductor connecting the first connector to one of the second connectors, the plurality of conductors being bundled together to form a trunk portion from the first connector to a breakout point, the plurality of conductors being separated into breakout portions from the breakout point to the second connectors; (iv) wherein the trunk portion of the first cable is longer

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for determining a machining process in a CAM system where the determining is based on CNC machine capabilities, user defined process constraints, and CNC machine configurations.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for methods and apparatuses for forming for determining when to perform maintenance events. The technique comprises determining a first cost of false positives and a second cost of missed true positives. A Receive Operating Characteristic (ROC) of a prediction model is determined for the occurrence of an event. A survival function and prediction horizon is generated from the prediction model for the occurrence of an event. The operational area on the ROC is determined based on the first costs and second costs. A threshold is determined from the ROC and is applied to the survival function and prediction horizon. A maintenance event is triggered based on the threshold.

Abstract: An exemplary method and a system for debugging a control system of an industrial plant where the system includes at least two different control sub-systems, of the same or different control equipment type, on plant or sub-system level, and has specific programmable controller units in devices like PLCs, DCSs, robots, drives, instruments and/or other process specific components whereas all specified parameters and signals of the control system across its sub-systems, devices, and technologies are extracted and visualized on a single sight and are utilized for the definition of system wide breakpoints, utilizing a subset of those signals or parameters, and related conditions, e.g. logical combinations of the signals or parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a server connected to a network on which a database application is running for collecting and managing data. The server is connected to several machine tools and has means for receiving identification data and/or identification data and/or operating parameters and/or dynamic information items with respect to the tools. Static information about the tools are stored in the database, and the server processes the received data, parameters and information items to generate updated information about the tools.

Abstract: A method of programming control of a forming machine which has a plurality of controllable machine axes includes displaying an axis selection menu with graphical symbols for machine axes of the forming machine; receiving an input for selection of a machine axis to be programmed; displaying an axial movement menu containing options for the input of movement parameters for definition of a course of movement of the axial movement of the selected machine axis; receiving inputs for definition of movement parameters; displaying an axial movement coordination menu containing options for input of coordination parameters for definition of a coordination of courses of movement of the axial movements of machine axes; receiving inputs for definition of values for coordination parameters.

Abstract: A board inspection apparatus includes an irradiation unit, an imaging unit, and an image processing unit. The image processing unit includes a three-dimensional measurement unit configured to perform three-dimensional measurement of the surfaces of the solder and the resist film by a certain three-dimensional measurement method based on the image data, a virtual standard surface setting unit configured to set a virtual standard surface corresponding to a contacting surface of a certain component mounted in a certain area of the printed board, a protrusion amount calculation unit configured to calculate a protrusion amount from the virtual standard surface for each solder printed and formed in the certain area, and a determination unit configured to determine whether the printed state of the solder passes or fails based on each of the protrusion amounts of the solder.

Abstract: An interference check device is disposed in an apparatus including a plurality of moving bodies, moving devices for moving the plurality of moving bodies, and another moving device for moving at least one of the moving bodies in a same axial line direction as one of the moving devices. The interference check device conducts interference check when at least one of the moving bodies is moved, and includes an absolute movement amount calculating part which synthesizes a movement amount of at least one of the plurality of moving bodies, which is a subject to be checked, in the same axial line direction based on data inputted to one of the moving devices and another moving device, to determine an absolute movement amount in the same axial line direction, and an interference check part associating with the absolute amount calculating part for checking the interference check from the absolute movement amount.

Abstract: A system and a method for controlling the operations of a manufacturing facility with production resources that execute a production process and a manufacturing execution system with a production modeler and a production scheduler. A man-machine interface and/or graphical user interface enable the user to enter production orders and production scheduling data into the execution system. A production scheduler database stores production orders and production scheduling data. A data server process updates sensitive data that are required for real-time scheduling when a user modifies sensitive data. The data server process executes an event list queue with the data modification events launched by the database, periodically checks the event list queue for data modification events, reads from the database only the modified data of the sensitive data and/or sensitive class of data, and merges the modified data with the existing data. The updated data are then accessible to all users.

Abstract: A system for controlling a machine includes a first model, a second model, a controller, and a comparator. During a first cycle, the first model generates a response signal to the controller while the second model generates a predicted parameter signal. During the first cycle, the comparator transmits a feedback signal to the second model if a predetermined threshold is not met. A method for controlling a machine includes transmitting a response signal from a first model to a controller, generating a control signal to the machine, and generating a predicted parameter value in a second model. The method further includes transmitting a feedback signal to the second model if a predetermined threshold is not met.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and a method for managing machine tool information for heterogeneous numerical control devices, and more particularly, to a system and a method for managing machine tool information for heterogeneous numerical control devices which may manage data of heterogeneous numerical control devices by a mobile device through a network, such as a wide area Internet or local WiFi, and monitor an operational state of the machine tool.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrates an automated mass production method, adapted for an automated mass production system in manufacturing at least an electronic device having a storage unit, the method includes steps of: determining a protocol type of the Auto Handler to select one of the agents; establishing a first communication protocol communication between the MP tool module and the selected agent; establishing a second communication protocol communication between the selected agent and the Auto Handler; the Auto Handler outputting a processing command to the selected agent; the selected agent converting the processing command into a MP tool module executable MP tool instruction; and the selected agent outputting the corresponding MP tool instruction to the MP tool module so as to have the MP tool module executed the MP tool instruction to automatically perform a corresponding mass production process to the electronic device.

Abstract: A method for making a rib for an aerofoil structure, the aerofoil structure including a skin component, the method including the steps of scanning the inner surface of the skin component to determine the surface profile thereof, providing a rib having a rib body and a rib foot protruding from the body, machining a foot surface profile into the rib foot, the foot surface profile being arranged to complement the skin inner surface profile where the rib foot is intended to abut the skin component.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or techniques that facilitate and/or effectuate efficient stream sharing for multi-user sensor data collection. The system includes mechanisms that locate within a query a specification that includes spatial regions over which data is required, based on the spatial regions the mechanism determines which sensors are situated within the region or ascertains which of the sensors in the region is actively streaming data and/or has persisted data in order to fulfill the query, constructs or utilizes a directed acyclic graph to obviate redundancy in a functional requirement included in the specification and imposed by the query, and formulates a result in fulfillment of the query that is delivered to an application.

Abstract: It is proposed that an interaction unit which allows a manual interaction is associated with a visualization unit, that a function selection unit which allows an association of a function of a machine tool with this manual interaction is associated with the visualization unit, and that a function data generator unit is provided that generates operating data which correspond to the manual interaction, while taking the associated function into account, and transmits these operating data to a visualization controller in order to represent, on the visualization unit, using visualization elements, the function specified by the manual interaction.

Abstract: A supervisory control system includes a supervisory control target device and a supervisory control device. The supervisory control device is configured such that an attribute usage flag that indicates whether the supervisory control device supports any changes in the attributes due to adding of a function, and an attribute effectiveness flag which indicates whether the supervisory control target device supports the changes, are added, as information concerning the attributes that undergo the changes, to a definition of the instance which the supervisory control device retains. Further, the supervisory control device includes a control unit which, on a basis of data of the attribute usage flag and attribute effectiveness flag relating to the attributes undergoing the changes due to adding of a function, determines whether the supervisory control target device supports a new function or whether supervisory control based upon the new function is effective.

Abstract: A Manufacturing Executing System (MES) implements a planned manufacturing process and controls the corresponding production at the plant floor in a method and in a system for managing and controlling manufacturing processes planned by an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and produced by the plant floor. The method includes defining sequential process segments. Each sequential process segment includes a plurality of actions to be performed at a plant floor level. The method includes the execution of a software tool including the steps of activating a sequential process segment and sequentially executing the respective actions. The method further includes defining state machines including a plurality of states and state transitions corresponding to actions to be performed at plant floor. A state manager tool is executed to define the state machines. A software tool is activated by the state manager tool to execute the state transitions of the state machine.

Abstract: In a method for moving a machine element of an automation machine with separately controlled drive shafts moving in a common direction, a first controller receives a first desired control variable, which is filtered using a filter having a frequency-dependent transfer function. In one embodiment, first desired control variable represents an overall movement of a machine element. A difference is determined between the filtered first desired variable and a first actual variable, and the difference is supplied as a desired control variable to the second controller for controlling the movement of the second drive shaft. In another embodiment, the filtered first desired variable and a second desired variable are added to form a sum, and a difference between the formed sum and the first actual variable is supplied as a desired control variable to the second controller for controlling the movement of the second drive shaft.

Abstract: A method of operating a machine tool, e.g., an electrical discharge machine, and a machine tool system with a machine, e.g. an electrical discharge machine, for machining a workpiece may include numerous configurable modules (DRIVE; GEN; CONTROL) to perform at least one of controlling, monitoring and carrying out of the machining of a workpiece. The modules (DRIVE; GEN; CONTROL) are arranged on the machine and are linked by a data network to a node for at least one of sending data to the node and receiving data from the node.

Abstract: The present invention provides a debonding apparatus, a system comprising such apparatus, and methods for using such apparatus or system for the removal of flexible substrates (14) post-processing without damage to fabricated devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and appropriate devices for safely, unequivocally and exclusively, temporarily assigning the command authority of an operator (1) to a controllable technical system (60) using a mobile control device (2) which is technically suitable for periodically controlling a plurality of controllable technical systems (60), which is equipped as standard with safety switch elements (38, 39) such as an emergency stop switch, ok key and operating mode selection switches and for a data coupling with the controllable technical system (60) in spite of having only normal transmission means (6) or network technologies without any particular features specific to safety function.

Abstract: A plant control system includes at least one control apparatus, and an engineering apparatus for changing a security state of the control apparatus. The control apparatus includes: a security management part for accepting a security level change request downloaded from the engineering apparatus and changing a security level of the control apparatus by referring to a password held by the control apparatus; and a change permission part for permitting a change in the security level by the security management part.

Abstract: A control system is provided for each pair of a work fixing part and a work machining part. In each control system, a work receiving program block, a work machining program block and a work discharge program block are provided, and the work machining program block starts on the condition that the work receiving program block ends and the work discharge block program starts on the condition that the work machining program block ends. The work receiving program block is associated with the work supply program of the work supply apparatus, or the work discharge program block is associated with a work transfer program of a work transfer apparatus so that a command is issued to the work receiving program block or the work discharge program block, and a command to perform a cue of the head of the program of each control system is provided at the last part of the control system.

Abstract: A numerical controller that shortens time required for transferring control of a spindle between control systems. When the spindle control command is included, the command is carried out and information on designation of the spindle, commanded rotational velocity and direction is stored in a case of a velocity control mode, and information on designation of the spindle, commanded rotational position and velocity is stored in a case of a position control mode. When a command to cancel the control of spindle is read, the control of the designated spindle and also the stored information on the control status of the spindle are transferred to the other control system. A command to acquire the control of the spindle is read in a machining program for the other control system, the control of the designated spindle is started by the other control system according to the transferred control status of the spindle.

Abstract: Content is generated on a host system based on real-time data from a controlled process collected over the internet from a customer's client machine tool control system. The client system may request content from a host website. Instructions associated with the requested content, which may be in the form of an application to be run on the client, is delivered to the client via download over the internet. The client gathers real-time data associated with a controlled process and transmits it to the host, where content based on the data can be generated for the client and/or its owner. Data gathered by the host, and content generated on the basis of the data, may be made accessible to machine tool manufacturers. Also, data received by the host is associated with an identifier defined for each client system. A historical database for given client equipment can thereby be created.

Abstract: Programs of a plurality of paths are displayed in parallel on a display screen. If a cursor of an editing target program is moved, cursors of the other programs are interlocked and moved so as to be aligned on a same row. If a sequence number that is set to any of blocks at a cursor position is a synchronization target sequence number, the movement of the cursor is stopped. If a cursor is operated further, a program of a path which does not have a block having the synchronization target sequence number at a cursor position is scrolled until a block having the synchronization target sequence number reaches a cursor position, then stops. As a result, synchronization target blocks in each path are positioned on a same row.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for activating a workpiece manipulator (4) of a machine tool (1), comprising a control device which prescribes machining paths (6) for a workpiece by means of a computing unit, which machining paths are travelled by the workpiece manipulator (4) from a machine starting position (A), wherein the workpiece (5) which can be moved by the workpiece manipulator (4) in a multi-axially translatory and preferably also rotating manner is passed to a plurality of tools (3) one after the other for the step-by-step machining. In order to provide advantageous conditions it is proposed that in the case of termination of machining the workpiece manipulator (4) is made to move with the workpiece (5) back over the path of movement (7) assigned to the respective machining step into a position (8) prior to this machining step, in which the workpiece manipulator is optionally stopped or from which the workpiece manipulator is moved into the machine starting position (A).

Abstract: In a simultaneous multi-axis measuring machine tool system including linear drive axes and rotation axes to measure a surface shape of an object to be measured by using an on-board measuring device having a probe mounted, at one end thereof, with a spherical contactor, a numerical controller controls driving of the linear drive axes and the rotation axes so that a central axis of the probe is always oriented in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the object to be measured and that the spherical contactor of the probe comes in contact with and follows a surface of the object to be measured.

Abstract: A method of controlling a multiple spindle machine includes measuring the motor currents provided to a first spindle and a second spindle over a period of time, establishing an amount of time between impacts on a workpiece of a cutting tooth of the first spindle relative to a cutting tooth of the second spindle based on the measured motor currents of the first spindle and the second spindle, determining an angle to shift the second spindle relative to the first spindle, and increasing or decreasing the amount of time between impacts to obtain the determined shift angle for the second spindle.

Abstract: A dynamic selection component for an industrial automation system is provided. The system includes one or more abstraction layers that are executed by a controller, the abstraction layers specify higher level requirements of a process. At least one execution layer is provided that is responsive to the abstraction layers, where the execution layer includes one or more process components that are dynamically selectable at runtime in view of the higher level requirements of the process.

Abstract: A system for controlling a machine includes a first controller, a second controller, and a comparator. During a first cycle, the first controller generates a control signal to the machine while the second controller generates a predicted parameter signal. During the first cycle, the comparator transmits a feedback signal to the second controller if a predetermined threshold is not met. A method for controlling a machine includes transmitting a control signal from a first controller to the machine and generating a predicted parameter value in a second controller. The method further includes transmitting a feedback signal to the second controller if a predetermined threshold is not met.

Abstract: A table containing correspondence between “n” and “m” is set in a control circuit of a servo control system so that the current command data in the m-th (m=1, 2, 3 . . . ) current command register is assigned to the n-th (n=1, 2, 3 . . . ) servo amplifier. When data is specified in this table to satisfy “n=m”, the current command data in the n-th current command register is passed to the n-th servo amplifier. When “m=1” is set for “n=1” and “m=1” is set for “n=2” in this table, the current command data stored in the first current command register is passed to the first and second servo amplifiers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for web-based tool management are implemented. A tool object model provides a logical representation of the physical tool. The tool object model defines a hierarchical set of tool objects that characterize the tool, and additionally a set of method for performing actions on the tool objects. These actions also correspond to operations, which may include reporting as well as processing tasks, performed by the tool. A user may remotely control and monitor a tool using a conventional web browser. For example, a user may execute methods of the tool object model, or obtain detailed information about a tool object. User actions are passed to a server by embedding them in hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) requests. The server receives the HTTP request, and passes the request to a corresponding page server in accordance with the action requested. Depending on the action requested, the page server may generate a web page in response, or may invoke a method of the tool object model.

Abstract: A robot controller (7) controlling a robot (1) used combined with a machine tool (5, 6) provided with a communication unit (9) connecting the robot controller to a machine tool, a detection unit (52) detecting through the communication unit a type and number of machine tools, and a setting unit (55) setting the robot controller based on the type and number of machine tools detected by the detection unit. Due to this, machine tool and robot startup work can be simply and easily performed without requiring skill or increasing the startup man-hours. The setting unit selects one setting file from among a plurality of setting files for the robot controller, stored in the robot controller, based on the type and number of machine tools detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: A control device is provided that flexibly controls a substrate processing apparatus for each product process. Four process recipes PM 1 to PM 4 are stored in a first storage unit 255a. Corresponding to each of the process recipes, a high temperature, a medium temperature, and a low temperature pre-recipe are stored in a second storage unit 255b. A process recipe determination unit 260 determines, in response to a recipe specified by the operator, a process recipe corresponding to the specified recipe from the first storage unit 255a. A stage temperature acquisition unit 265 acquires, from the determined process recipe, a stage temperature. A pre-recipe selection unit 270 selects, from the three types of pre-recipes stored in the second storage unit 255b, one pre-recipe corresponding to the stage temperature. Before the wafer W is deposition-processed, therefore, the PM may be well-conditioned according to the selected pre-recipe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for activating a workpiece manipulator (4) of a machine tool (1), comprising a control device which prescribes machining paths (6) for a workpiece by means of a computing unit, which machining paths are travelled by the workpiece manipulator (4) from a machine starting position (A), wherein the workpiece (5) which can be moved by the workpiece manipulator (4) in a multi-axially translatory and preferably also rotating manner is passed to a plurality of tools (3) one after the other for the step-by-step machining. In order to provide advantageous conditions it is proposed that in the case of termination of machining the workpiece manipulator (4) is made to move with the workpiece (5) back over the path of movement (7) assigned to the respective machining step into a position (8) prior to this machining step, in which the workpiece manipulator is optionally stopped or from which the workpiece manipulator is moved into the machine starting position (A).

Abstract: A centralized control apparatus includes a data collecting part that gathers data at a predetermined interval from a substrate processing apparatus for each component in the substrate processing apparatus; a data processing part that determines a status of each component based on the gathered data and regulation control information including attribute information about each component, maintenance information and previously established status-determined information about each component, at a predetermined timing established for each component, and performs thinning-out-processing to the gathered data on a determination result and prepares processed data by processing data obtained by the thinning-out-processing; and a data transmitting part that sends the regulation control information including the determination result and the processed data to a terminal unit.

Abstract: Provided is a system, apparatus, and method for evaluating a variety of protocols on a computer network which includes a plurality of network devices. The network devices are adapted to communicate messages on the computer network using their respective protocols. The present invention system, apparatus and method are associated with one of the network devices. The present invention system, apparatus and method are further adapted to identify the various protocols on the network and analyze each message on the network to determine the protocol associated with the message. In another aspect of the present invention, the system and apparatus are adapted to determine whether to communicate a message to the associated network device based on this identification and analysis the message. The present invention embodiments allow for mixed mode communication on a single network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sizing window coverings slidably extendable from a bay into an aisle of a retail outlet. The method includes the steps of locating the center of the window covering relative to a cutting station utilizing a half scale for removing a portion of the window covering from each of its ends.

Abstract: A mounter for a manufacturing management method suppresses an occurrence of inventory shortage or excess inventory as much as possible, and provides energy savings when manufacturing is not performed at full capacity. A throughput determining step acquires manufacturing information included in a manufacturing plan while manufacturing equipment is manufacturing mounted boards and determines a throughput of the manufacturing equipment for the mounted boards based on the manufacturing information while the manufacturing equipment is manufacturing a sequence of the mounted boards. A manufacturing condition determining step determines a manufacturing condition for decreasing power consumption of the manufacturing equipment within a range of throughput not lower than the determined throughput in the case where the throughput determined in the throughput determining step is equal to or lower than a current throughput of the manufacturing equipment.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a cutting tool program control module configured for controlling a number of cutting tools to cut an element. The cutting tool program control module includes a cutting tool program storing unit, a cutting tool program selecting unit, and a cutting tool program executing unit. The cutting tool program storing unit stores a number of cutting tool programs for controlling the number of cutting tools accordingly. The cutting tool program selecting unit selects one or more cutting tool programs and stores corresponding selecting information according to the selected cutting tool programs. The cutting tool program executing unit executes the selected cutting tool programs according to the selecting information stored in the cutting tool program selecting unit.

Abstract: Irrespective of operation mode of systems in which predetermined axes belong to, a multi-system numerical controller is provided that freely combines axes belonging to arbitrary systems, and then simultaneously operates axes belonging to a plurality of systems in a predetermined manual mode, or simultaneously operates a plurality of axes belonging to the same system in respective manual operation modes so as to safely take interpolation control in manual operation. The numerical control apparatus includes a plurality of manual operation controllers and independent of the systems; a manual-operation-mode selecting signal provided each for the manual operation controllers; an arbitrary-axis selection signal, provided each for the manual operation controllers or manual modes, for selecting axes from any of the systems; a manual-move-speed instructing signal provided each for the manual operation controller; a manual operation reset signal provided each for the manual operation controllers.

Abstract: Robot apparatus has a robot 1, a controller 2 for controlling the aforementioned robot 1 to perform working, and a plurality of external axis devices 4, 5 and 6 to be controlled by the aforementioned controller 2. The aforementioned external axis devices 4, 5 and 6 are provided with power switches 4b, 5b and 6b to be operated by an operator 9 so as to turn on/off power supplies thereto, and power supply circuits 4a, 5a and 6a to be operated from the aforementioned controller 2 so as to turn on/off the power supplies. Priority is given to operation using the aforementioned power switches 4b, 5b and 6b over operation from the aforementioned controller 2 as to turning off the power supplies to the external axis devices 4, 5 and 6.

Abstract: A processing cell of automatic machining system configured in that it is easy to decide or change the number of steps and to design, and to reduce the installation cost. The control unit of the processing cell comprises an operation data storing means for storing every position necessary data for operation at each position of the processing cell installed in the machining section of the automatic machining system, and a position designating means for designating the after-installation position. The control unit reads necessary data for operation out of the operation data storing means in accordance with the position designated by the position designating means. Thus, the operation of each cell can be switched in accordance with the position, and the processing cells can be easily changed in position and adjusted in quantity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for scheduling a plurality of processing tools. The method comprises providing a first processing tool and a plurality of second processing tools, selecting one of the plurality of second processing tools, and determining a target output parameter of a combination of processing tools comprising said first processing tool and said selected one of the plurality of second processing tools. The method also includes determining at least one input parameter of a process model for controlling the first processing tool based upon the target output parameter of the combination of processing tools.