Abstract: A method and apparatus includes determining a number of planned starts of a product during a predetermined time period for future processing, averaging the number of planned starts for the predetermined time period, and setting a production rate for a first range based on the average number of planned starts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes determining a number of planned starts of a product during a predetermined time period for future processing, averaging the number of planned starts for the predetermined time period, and setting a production rate for a first range based on the average number of planned starts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes determining a number of planned starts of a product during a predetermined time period for future processing, averaging the number of planned starts for the predetermined time period, and setting a production rate for a first range based on the average number of planned starts.

Abstract: A method, system, and program storage device for implementing the method of controlling a manufacturing system, wherein the method comprises providing a plurality of workpieces to be processed on a processing tool, the plurality of workpieces located at processing stations prior to the processing tool, determining auxiliary equipment allocation needs for the processing tool based on characteristics associated with the plurality of workpieces prior to the workpieces arriving at the processing tool, and sending auxiliary equipment to the processing tool based on the allocation needs prior to the workpieces arriving at the processing tool. According to an embodiment of the invention, the processing tool comprises a photolithographic system, the auxiliary equipment comprises a reticle, and the plurality of workpieces comprise semiconductor substrates.

Abstract: A method and system for defining optimal range boundaries in a range management system. The method comprises assigning process routings to the flows, applying range break rules to the flows based on the input data regarding operations and toolsets, and outputting the results of the applying step to provide range break boundaries. The system comprises at least one device configured to receive input data, assign process routings to flows, determine range breaks by applying range break rules to the input data and the process routings, and output the results of the determining step.

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes determining a number of planned starts of a product during a predetermined time period for future processing, averaging the number of planned starts for the predetermined time period, and setting a production rate for a first range based on the average number of planned starts.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for prioritizing a plurality of lots in a manufacturing process. Portions of a priority for each lot are created. The portions are combined to form a unique range priority for each lot. The range priorities may be used to equitable compare all of the active lots in a fabrication facility. The system and method may be implemented as part of a range management system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing movement of work-in-process materials between processing units in an automated manufacturing environment are provided. A system includes a host system in communication with a work-in-process (WIP) material lot. The system also includes an application executing on the host. The application implements a method that includes tracking a position of the WIP material lot, receiving a list of the processing units designated to be inoperative during a down time, and receiving a start time and a duration of the down time. The method also includes determining a maximum dwell time for each of the designated processing units and scheduling movement of the WIP material lot during an interim between a current time and the start time of the down time based on current position of the work-in-process material lot, the current time, the start time and duration of the down time, and the maximum dwell time.

Abstract: A system and method for driving new technology WIP at a controlled speed side-by-side with production WIP using a common range management infrastructure. The system and method allow new technology WIP and production WIP to be driven together in the same fabricator with the same degree of speed and predictability. The system and method may include at least one device configured to create a target based on a sum of active WIP targets for at least one route, find all lots of active WIP on the at least one route, tag each of the lots until a first occurrence of a sum of WIP of the tagged lots exceeds or equals the target, and assign a priority to each of the tagged lots based on a predetermined criteria.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing movement of work-in-process materials between processing units in an automated manufacturing environment are provided. A system includes a host system in communication with a work-in-process (WIP) material lot. The system also includes an application executing on the host. The application implements a method that includes tracking a position of the WIP material lot, receiving a list of the processing units designated to be inoperative during a down time, and receiving a start time and a duration of the down time. The method also includes determining a maximum dwell time for each of the designated processing units and scheduling movement of the WIP material lot during an interim between a current time and the start time of the down time based on current position of the work-in-process material lot, the current time, the start time and duration of the down time, and the maximum dwell time.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing movement of work-in-process materials (WIPs) between processing units are provided. A system includes a host system and an application executing thereon. The application implements a method that includes receiving a list of WIP lots, and indexing a list of routes with raw process time by process steps and with safe holding points. The method also includes indexing a scheduled start time of shutdown for the process units and calculating transport time for moving each of the lots to the next nearest safe holding point in the route. For each lot, the method includes determining whether the lot is at a safe holding point, and assigning a dispatch priority to the lot if it is not at the safe holding point. The method further includes sending a list of assigned dispatch priorities to a dispatcher for transporting the lots to corresponding safe holding points prior to initiating the shutdown.

Abstract: A system and method including identifying a stopped range, identifying at least one lot of WIP associated with the stopped range, and processing the at least one lot in at least one operation within the stopped range at a lower priority relative to other lots. The system and method may be implemented as part of a range management system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing movement of work-in-process materials between processing units in an automated manufacturing environment are provided. A system includes a host system in communication with a work-in-process (WIP) material lot. The system also includes an application executing on the host. The application implements a method that includes tracking a position of the WIP material lot, receiving a list of the processing units designated to be inoperative during a down time, and receiving a start time and a duration of the down time. The method also includes determining a maximum dwell time for each of the designated processing units and scheduling movement of the WIP material lot during an interim between a current time and the start time of the down time based on current position of the work-in-process material lot, the current time, the start time and duration of the down time, and the maximum dwell time.

Abstract: A method, system, and program storage device for implementing the method of controlling a manufacturing system, wherein the method comprises providing a plurality of workpieces to be processed on a processing tool, the plurality of workpieces located at processing stations prior to the processing tool, determining auxiliary equipment allocation needs for the processing tool based on characteristics associated with the plurality of workpieces prior to the workpieces arriving at the processing tool, and sending auxiliary equipment to the processing tool based on the allocation needs prior to the workpieces arriving at the processing tool. According to an embodiment of the invention, the processing tool comprises a photolithographic system, the auxiliary equipment comprises a reticle, and the plurality of workpieces comprise semiconductor substrates.